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Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
13 May 2024
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Details
Description
We live on a beautiful piece of land in rural Texas, full of lush green hills, towering pines, oak savannahs, and wild animals, about 1 hour's drive from Austin. Our goal is to build a community out here, starting from our extended family and friend group and beyond.
We've traveled the world volunteering with Workaway, hitchhiking, Couchsurfing, playing music in bands, farming, building, protesting, yogaing, truck-driving, teaching... all kinds of things. Now, we're trying to restore this piece of land to a more balanced state and to build a home, a farm, an apiary, a studio... We want this to be a communal place that fosters creativity, closeness to nature, silence, loudness, peace, chaos, etc.! And we've hosted volunteers from Colombia, Iran, Canada, China, Mexico, Iraq, USA, Korea, Norway, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Italy, and Lithuania.Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There are 3 major cities and tons of natural beauty (Pedernales, Port Aransas, the Colorado River, etc.) within driving distance. For now, we only go to Austin intermittently since we're focused on starting our project. If you want to go more often, you'll need a vehicle. Of course, the big draw here is the natural beauty, serenity, and community building.
As far as the people here, we've lived our lives based on sharing and cultural exchange and (hopefully!) have something to offer in return :) Maybe you'd like to practice Armenian or Spanish or Arabic, learn how to tour in a band or build furniture or drive a semi, play the drums or the flute or make beats, talk about Mishima or Goethe or Wong Kar Wai, hear about immigrating from Lebanon in the 1970s, walk through some beautiful rolling hills and imagine ways to make "permaculture" more than a buzz word, build a compost toilet or a guitar amp... we try to approach all these things in a humble, open way. Feel free to ask any questions, we can talk about your expectations/hopes/dreams~Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We work hard, rain or shine. People start at 8 AM and do at least 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, starting the day they arrive.
Right now, the main work is forestry: clearing paths, cutting and hauling branches, removing invasive plants, planting trees, trying to restore this piece of land. We also have construction projects, gardening, and an apiary (bees!).
It's often hard work in hot, humid weather. But the place is beautiful, and you will see the work of your hands in front of your eyes, a great feeling. Maybe you'll build something here too someday!Languages spoken
Arabic: Fluent
English: Fluent
Armenian: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
German: Beginner
French: BeginnerAccommodation
--Bed in a private guest house -- typically. If we have many other volunteers (and the guest house is full), we can try to find another space for you! There are big tents as well.
-3 meals a day, and any snacks you want. What's here is yours. We're mostly vegetarian.
-Bathroom with shower + compost (dry) toilets
-16 acres to freely roamWhat else ...
We need volunteers to be COVID-vaccinated, since we have a 74-year-old with a history of lung issues living here. Thank you for understanding!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Our wifi is consistent, but not very fast... we have had people here who teach via livestream or conference, and it's usually adequate. Also, the only reliable phone service here is AT&T.
Space for parking camper vans
Campers/RVs are welcome. We don't have a hookup (yet), but you're free to use the electricity/water in the buildings. And you can run an extension cord.
Can possibly accept pets
Pets must be friendly with babies, children, dogs & cats. We do have wild animals around, including snakes. Our cat is often out all night and she is ok, but please be aware/careful.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
~25/week
Feedback (37)
We help five days and rest for two days. I have pulled & moved brunches, dug green briers, did sanding, and cleaned two… read more
One of the highlights of my time there was the sense of community. There were other Workawayers to hang out with, and people were… read more
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We help five days and rest for two days. I have pulled & moved brunches, dug green briers, did sanding, and cleaned two… read more
One of the highlights of my time there was the sense of community. There were other Workawayers to hang out with, and people were… read more
This entire family was like a family to me during my one month workaway in Rosanky.
From Hamo's famous houmouss (and every thing else) to this amazing Adam. A lovely kid who is playing chess every single day ! So cute.
From Lorraine, so kind every single day, and cooking so… read more
While I were there I helped them build a house, I cleaned their tools, I cleaned the house regularly(dust would mess with the building process) I also cleaned mortar… read more
The work is hard, but you feel part of a project, and every day you are helped and assisted by Jack, Loraine and Grandpa Hamo.
The hours fly by while you work as Jack and his family are a treasure full of anecdotes, knowledge, but above all intelligence, humility… read more
Grandpa Harmon is a fun person and always ready for a joke. Grandma Diane is the sweetest person ever and cooked an absolutely tasty dish.… read more
I got to use a compost toilet for the… read more
We had so much… read more
Out of love for nature they are building their own special wooden house without any construction experience. I was amazed with what they had already built and I'm… read more
I was tasked with smaller jobs at first, then the hard work really began where we… read more