Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
28 May 2024
Reply rate
89.3 %
Usually responds within 17 days
Feedback
44
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
After many years of observing the situation of the world from an ecological, social and political point of view, we believe that living in the countryside following an ancient path that binds us to the Earth with her cycles and rhythms, could be the answer to many of our ills. A form of activism, perhaps the cure. That's why we work most of the day and most of the week, cultivating awareness towards the Earth and towards our relationships. So keep in mind that the best way to approach this project is to participate actively and take into consideration that coexistence requires personal work from everyone involved, and our main goal is to always create a safe and open space to do so.
We feel a strong desire to share our lifestyle that could perhaps help facilitate this transition for those who want to return to the Earth, in which ever way that might look like.
Together we are Uba (Palermitano), and Zara (Sicula-Australiana).
After traveling abroad as a cook for almost 10 years, Uba decided to come back and contribute to this beautiful land, filled with contrast. This project began in his search for the answers to many important life questions. It has not been an academic research, but a personal one, focusing on himself and the environment, followed by experiences in permaculture, regenerative agriculture and bio-costruction.
On a very different timeline and on the other side of the world in Australia, Zara had sought out very similar experiences which eventually brought her here to Uba and her motherland, Sicily!
In November (2023) we welcomed into the world our son, Vito, and have not yet commenced taking volunteers. We are now open to receiving requests for volunteers in April (2024)!
We share 3 hectares of land with 2 dogs, 3 mamma goats and their babies, and a bunch of chickens. The land is full of spontaneous edible plants, olive, citrus grape, and fruit trees, and part of our work is maintaining and expanding this abundance. We grow vegetables during the winter and summer, aiming to satisfy all of our needs. Day by day we are always looking to introduce good habits to our life, based around the persistence and consistency in our daily work. We like to start the day early, to then be able to reflect and share what we have learnt together at the end of the day around the dinner table.
The song of the birds and the flow of the river form the ideal soundtrack to carry out this work!
We are just two here, now with a little one in arms, but we aim for community with the number of volunteers, family, friends and neighbours that pass through and get involved. Any comfort you might enjoy here is thanks to the work of those who have been here before you. Taking care means giving those who come after you, better conditions than before.
Considering that we try to consume as much possible as we manage to grow and produce, we collect our spring water to drink, knead and bake bread, make cheese, wine and much more, we ask that whoever wants to participate, does with sensitivity in every form of consumption. We encourage use and discourage abuse.
If you feel like joining us and helping to bring this project forward, we are happy to hear from you!Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsHelp with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
Our daily work aims to maintain and support our most basic needs like having a comfortable and healthy place to sleep, growing and cooking our own food, creating beauty through the land, taking care of our relationships and community in any way, shape or form... Coming here is an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in an active lifestyle intimately tied to the land.
Like this we all grow better!Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
The year begins with the pruning of olives and fruit trees, grafting and maintaining the winter vegetable garden. From spring we begin to prepare the soil for all the summer abundance to come. There is plenty of help needed in the weeding of vegetable gardens, seasonal harvests and transforming produce into food for our bellies and to keep our pantry well stocked for throughout the year.
Meanwhile, we are devoting much time and effort into completing a new clay structure, of which hope to finish by the beginning of summer, to host travellers in a different way. As we go along, we too are learning and experimenting with all things bio-construction.Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
French: IntermediateAccommodation
In summer, the sleeping arrangements will be in tents that are provided. For the rest of the year there are indoor spaces. If it makes a lot of difference to you, please just ask us before arriving.
There is a shared kitchen and bathroom. Keep in mind that our living area, especially when it is cold outside, happens to be the kitchen and dining space too, so in a group we definitely fill this small space to its maximum capacity!
Please only bring biodegradable/soaps and natural hygiene products. We share three vegetarian meals per day and snacks, a large part consisting of products from our land hence you will find only very nourishing and integral, that reflects a deep love for the richness of this land it’s food culture.What else ...
We are located 5km from the town of Cefalù, it is not so easy to reach on foot but in the summer we often go to the beach together.
We rest on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, but we are open to special arrangements. This project is very suited to people who really want to get involved and live like we live (which involves a lot of work), and have an opportunity to experience the reality of working with the land.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Max 25 hours with 2 days off
Feedback (28)
Good luck for your journey… read more
For me, as a total newcomer to all of these phenomena, this was a precious… read more
Fue muy bonito compartir con el trabajo , comidas y tambien tiempo libre. Una energia bien ligera , nunca pesada a pesar que compartimos un espacio chiquito estubimos bien a gusto. Su forma es bien sustentable tanto del punto de vista personal cuanto de el laboral. Ademas fue muy interesante compartir nuestros puntos… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Good luck for your journey… read more
For me, as a total newcomer to all of these phenomena, this was a precious… read more
Fue muy bonito compartir con el trabajo , comidas y tambien tiempo libre. Una energia bien ligera , nunca pesada a pesar que compartimos un espacio chiquito estubimos bien a gusto. Su forma es bien sustentable tanto del punto de vista personal cuanto de el laboral. Ademas fue muy interesante compartir nuestros puntos… read more
I have a great time working in Uba's project.
The energy,the vibes,the location are great , simple and super relaxing.
Highly recommended
Thanks for hosting me Uba.
It is a lot about working there but the days were all very well structured and in the end the work, the community-life and the connection to nature really made me feel alive. It was a time I learned so much about life.… read more
It is intense because it is a very special place and a very different way of life. It is fast paced and at first may seem a bit overwhelming. But, in the end you fall into the rhythm very naturally. Uba… read more
I learned so many things in such a sort period .
Uba lives literally with zero waste, that was an important lesson for me and made me think more about this way of life.
The work was basically in the mornings ,Ubaldo… read more
E stato molto piacevole condividere con te e spero potere tornare un giorno per più di tempo 😊
I momenti liberi sono spesso in comune, ed è estremamente piacevole apprendere i consigli di nutrizione frutto delle… read more
Apart from a beautiful atmosphere, both on an ambiental and a personal level, I think Uba and his girlfriend Niki really live the spirit of Workaway:
Working and living on and from the land while… read more
During the week we worked on the fence, with full consistency she carried on the work until the end
The week together was actually a bit short but definitely enough to recommend her,
Grazie di tutto Fede.
Uba did an amazing job and the project is very interesting! Is a very good learning and sharing place!
I highly recomment this inspiring project!!!
Thanks Uba :-)
The… read more
Uba, was the most lovely host, i have ever met! (And i'm writing this, because it's true, not because this is workaway and everyone is giving each other "excellent" feedback ;) ) He was always super thankful for the work we did. I was very impressed by his… read more
My time in Sicily was the best on my small Italy journey. I spend one month at this magic place near Cefalu and no day was the same. There was always something else to do, sometimes hard and sometimes easy work. You should be really motivated because help is needed. As… read more
For me the time I spent here was a school of life, learning about edible plants, eating them, feeding chickens, harvest kaki, cut and burn big… read more
After my first negativ experience with a workaway host since volunteering, i was without place to go since leaving the previous host one week earlyer than planned, with a flight already booked...
Then Uba replyed to my emergency request, and since this moment… read more
Uba e la sua cagnolina ti accompagnano e guidano in questa nuova esperienza con tenacia e meticolosità per il progetto...Uba oltre… read more