Help me with DIY at an old house in Kalavan village in the Gegharkunik province of Armenia

Details

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  Description

  I'm Gregory, an American author and international traveler who has been refurbishing an old house in Kalavan village in the Gegharkunik province of Armenia, located less than an hour from Dilijan and Ijevan. I would now like to continue establishing The Kalavan Retreat Center as a thriving community model for extended stays from locals and foreigners alike who seek the freedom to live as they want.
  
  Qualities we are looking for:
  — Open-minded and eager to learn.
  — Brave enough to stand up for unconventional choices in the face of social shame and ridicule.
  — Concerned about the social, cultural, and economic problems plaguing humanity, particularly Armenia.
  — Value freedom, self-expression, and independence—not just for yourself but for everyone.
  — Good self-managers who don’t need to be told what to do all the time and can always find a productive way to contribute.
  — Courteous, communicative, and determined to become the best, most fully expressed version of who they are.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will learn a great deal about business, economics, the English language, and overcoming cultural limitations among rural Armenians to bring development to remote locations. I am an author on many of these subjects, and my intention is for my house to be a beacon and safe haven for freethinkers in Armenia. I've learned over the last five years of living here how many people feel suppressed living here and are seeking a place to get away from coercive expectations. I want to be one of the first organizations in Armenia actively offering them that opportunity.

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  Help

  I need creative and organized people who can help make the house cleaner and more beautiful, including the outdoor areas. Use your imagination. There's a lot the right people can contribute to what I've started here. I'd like it to become a fully functional guesthouse and retreat center for personal development among Armenians. I could also use help from people experienced in social media and marketing to help build an online brand presence for the village and my house on sites like Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram.
  
  Recently, we've started planning to use earthbag construction to build some small homes on the upper part of the property. If you have experience building with earthbags or similar techniques, please let me know.
  
  We are also now planting vegetables in our greenhouses, which we would like to expand and even eventually set up an in door hydroponic system for growing all year.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  Armenian: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I am a globally experienced English teacher. My last book, Our Global Lingua Franca (), is all about common flaws in the way we teach and try to learn English. If you stay in my house, I will certainly be quick to correct all your small English mistakes and help you gain a more dynamic command of the language.
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  Accommodation

  You will have a comfortable bed and access to the whole house, including kitchen, outdoors, office, and two bathrooms. Meals are provided.
  
  Bonus: My house now hosts the first convenience store in Kalavan. You won't have to drive back into town every time you want to buy simple food ingredients, cigarettes, etc. It's small for now, but the inventory is always expanding.

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  What else ...

  I can help arrange transportation in and out of the village as necessary as well as procuring any other comforts for living here.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  I was a digital nomad for many years and have traveled to more than 50 countries. My house has good wifi through Vivacell. There are occasionally short power outages during bad weather, but the wifi has a battery backup.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  I have a long driveway, a gated area behind my house, and a roofed garage.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  I have four cats and a friendly dog living in the house with me. As long as your pets are fine around other animals, they are welcome here.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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