Kuterevo

Made it to my Volunteer location in Kuterevo.   It is about a 3 hr drive from Split.  Quite a quaint little village.  The sanctuary is a charming place.

The volunteers I have met are really nice.  2 are from Germany, 1 from France and the others from Croatia.  The staff are local and the head person, Ivan, speaks little English.  He’s quite funny though and I can tell I am going to like him.  He is probably in his 70s and started this program.

This sanctuary started in 2002.  Ivan, pictured in front, was known to be taking care of an orphaned cub and needed a bigger area.  It has grown since then to have 4 enclosures, a volunteer house, a store and workshops to hold necessary items. 

They rely solely on donations and volunteers.  They have received endangered or abused bears that can no longer live in the wild.  Now they have a total of 8 bears. The youngest, Matija, 6 and the oldest is Bruno at 50. 

They believe in living simply and in harmony with nature.  The volunteers provide the needed manpower for all the work involved.  That is what makes this place unique. 

Having a good time with volunteers from around the world, France, Germany, Croatia and America

My first workday here consisted of picking plums so they can use then to make brandy which they give as gifts or sell.  I never have picked plums before and it really was more like picking up plums after being shaken from a tree. 

I also worked in the store selling souvenirs and listened to the other volunteers explain things to the visitors.  Pretty soon it will be my turn to talk to the tourists.  

I also picked up plums and cherries from the ground and chopped down prickly plants from the bear enclosure.  That was hard.  Hope my back won’t hurt too much!

We had a “ceremony ” of sorts this morning with Ivan and the volunteers.   He emphasized how frugality, bear aura, and working together are the mission and dream of this place. 

There is a lot of work to keep 8 bears.  The quality of food they eat is enormous.   We have stockpiled massive amounts of donated bread, fruits and vegetables.   Twice a day they’re fed.  Manpower is needed for every step.  The grounds need to be maintained and volunteers need to be fed and housed.  I am staying with a family nearby in separate accommodations.   The volunteers also take turns cooking meals and cleaning up. 

This promises to be a worthwhile experience.   It is wonderful to be contributing to this project.  4 weeks is a long time, but some volunteers come and end up staying years.  Don’t think that’ll end up being me, but for this time I will enjoy the living.