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29 Apr 2024
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+++please read carefully+++ I
Someone left again yesterday. I'm glad about that. The last 3 volunteers all left before their time because they were alcoholics, selfish or physically and mentaly unfit for work. That cost me a lot of strength. It gave the blind dog a serious eye infection and cost the bottle lamb instability in his care. Be aware; whoever comes here wants to and can be active for the animals! Otherwise don't come. I will therefore now answer every new request with a pre-prepared return e-mail. Not to annoy people or to appear particularly unsympathetic, but to make it very clear that every minute here is sold twice. For the animals. Not for shopping trips, walks and beach experiences. It may all belong together, but in the first instance it remains an animal shelter! And yes If I said the bus will not go it is simply true!!!
I have so many requests from people who think Berlin is close. And they can do their tourist shuttle. But that is extremely difficult. No local public transport. Someone has to take you by car to a train station or pick you up. No taxi. No Uber. The bus only runs during school hours and even then only very unreliably. We have three cars. We like to borrow them. That's why a driving licence helps. We are really really rural. Nature costs the price of infrastructure.
It is beautiful BECAUSE there is no public transport. Nothing works without a plan!
I am a single living, since 1996 self-employed businesswoman, 45 years young, with currently 4 german shepherd dogs and amixed floppy dog, 6 donkeys, 23 sheep and 2 goats, and 17 hores foals. The most coming from animal welfare. From time to time these inhabitants change. Healthy ones are mediated in own at home and animals with continuous care spend their whole life with us. It is a bit like on the Bonanza Ranch in the evening; Good night Adam, Hanga, Beny, Fiete, Ralf, Frank, Jörg, Bernd, Brain, Mercedes, Samson, Mathias, Ada, Andreas, Debborah, Milka, Hulda, Josephine, David, Samuel, Ester, Mirjam, Jubal, Jabal, Elisabeth, Hannah, Sarah, Eli, Daniel, Manuel, Rebecca, Michel and Mütze, Eva und August, Cira, Colina and Ludwig.
With us are working some employees. They change from time to time for the animals and farm management. It would be good to let you know a drivers licence is very useful here to have the full adventure. If you do not have one or be scared to drive, this is maybe not the place for you. To serve the animals we need to go by car, to a few of them.
We are very structured. The start of work is always the same. Monday to Sunday. Even if not everyone works on all days. The employees are not in the project at the weekends. We are also always on time. Because any delay, that or the animals to be taken care of afterwards are waiting for it. It would bring unrest into the pack if times were missed or even skipped. That is not possible. There is a tight daily schedule that has to be adhered to. Most of the time, the workaways are through in the morning. But it can happen that in the afternoon there is another dog walk at the lake or the horses are brought in from the day's pasture. The latter less so in winter than in summer. And, of course, a staff member is sometimes sick or at vocational school. These are things that I can only plan to a limited extent. Since I work full time as an interim manager in the home office to generate the funds we all need, I am only there very early and with the older dogs throughout the day. My scedule is always full. There are very less times just for me. I`m happy to share it at the lunch in the evening together. As long as I not have to work longer than all the others.
And i add this, because I am so incredibly tired of telling the workawayers that there are instructions to follow for safety reasons. Certain doors and gates will not be opened for comfort things. And when I punctuate that dramatically with under no circumstances, in no universe. Then I mean it! You can be nice. You can want to help. You can try your best. If you persist in not wanting to understand that these safety regulations have a legitimate reason and that we do not circumvent them at any time, for any reason, then you are not in the right place! Safety before comfort!Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetCultural exchange and learning opportunities
I speak fluent English and can practice the language. We have a small garden where you can learn a lot about botany. The care and training of animals is a learning area and of course the consolidation of skills in the craft area. We can learn a lot about veterinary medicine and animal physiotherapy is also practiced. Leeches and manual therapy as well as cold pulsed red light. The donkeays are in the training to walk outside and drive before a carriage. They are still young. And if anyone has joy just teach the annoing goat to not eat the neighbours flowers or drive a carriage. ;-)
Help
We have a foundation and are an approved animal shelter-like institution. This means we are the thing between animal shelter and last home. We care for animals with special needs, that can not be adopted asap. In addition, we would like to become a refuge for alternative housing and are largely self-sufficient in our care. Currently, an organic farm is attached. If you like digging in the ground there will always be something to do ;-) We need help with the maintenance of the property, the stables, fences and plants and with the renovation of an old community centre. We have a large driveway on which to stand campers and wish us animal-loving, technically gifted helpers who invest themselves in the heart project. The nature is wonderful around us and pure idyll. We live with dogs, sheep, goats and donkeys, close to 2 clear spring lakes at the southeastern edge of Berlin. --- I am here in this place to serve the animals. No one needs so many animals for themselves. But the animals need a good home or place to find themselves after bad treating. If you want to come here only to have a good time, please stay away. If you come here to serve the animals with me and have a great time, be very welcome. The furry residents come here first!!! Monday through Sunday. In sun, wind and rain or any circumstances. We are happy to walk without only self-oriented people who wanna have an advanture time. You can have the adventure of your life. But only if the furry family comes first. I added the last sentences after having some strange experiences with people. So thats why I say it that clear.
What we are looking for are people with the heart to care for a blind German Sheppard. Be his friend. Walk him all around. Sit beside him. Have contact. See the hills of pooh, take a fork and put it on the pooh trailer. See if there is water left. Clean the tank and fill it. Just take care of the souls in need. This all means; Not come for 5 days. Do something in any way and leave. Be here. With all you are. Ask questions. Learn about it. You need 1 week to be trained. And we hope min. 2 weeks to be a real help and a real friend for the animals. As longer as better! Stability for the animals before funny times. Give them the things they missed for so long time. I´m the stable everlasting contact. But my hands are only 2. My legs too. So walking 9 times a day dogs makes the time shorter for everyone of them. Spend quality time with them.
+++ If you need an invitation. Do not ask. We only support official entry routes. We will not encourage half-assed intentions to enter Germany. I'm writing this because I keep hearing about young men from faraway countries wanting to do their best work for many months for nothing. Just so they can be in Germany. That is not our approach. Many cultures are guests here. But there must be legal ways to enter. +++
+++ If you are a Berlin traveler, you need to know that the public transport ist very limited. It is not easy to go there without a car. As it is still near, we are really really and I mean really countryside. There is no train station near by. 10 km to drive with the car. Or the bus, if it is coming and driving in his plan. The bus is a bad lier. Never trust him. In the winter specially the daylight is precious. In the night nothing works. Here is no light. You can see the stars. Nothing. more. You can't buy cigarettes in our neighbourhood. If you accompany the weekly shopping trip, you can organise this. But nobody will drive you anywhere outside the plan. We also do not want people to smoke in the rooms. +++Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
Hebrew I wanna learn.Accommodation
In the garden is a very small wooden house with a sofa bed. In the yard there are 3 caravans, one of them has a bunk bed and the seat can become a couch. One has a double bed. We have an old house beside. There is no wallpaper on the wall in our outbuilding, because we just tore it down in 2021. We have a new roof, new windos, new bath, new energy lines, only the wall and the bottom has to be renewed in the next months. Independently of that there are 3 super sofa beds with a little bit of construction site charm. Otherwise you can park your camper in the driveway and use everything with us. Adjacent there are 2 camping sites with fixed bungalows. There you could also accommodate people for a while at our expense. Our cottage has 2 rooms, kitchen and bathroom, running hot water but there is no WIFI and you have to have at least a driving licence, we have the second car. On the main yard there is WIFI for everyone and enough to do ;-)
What else ...
I am a believing Christian and would like to be prepared for economically strained times. A place of refuge. Self-sufficient with water, electricity and heating as well as vegetable food source. And space for community. The release of people into their calling is my heart. And, of course, the family members from the animal corner, who tend to be hairy. I have a giving heart and a stable income (unfortunately with limits), but we need a lot of effort until everything is finished and the ManPower is irreplaceable.The profile should be inviting. However, also sweeping when it clearly does not fit. We like and need it concrete. If you want to think about it first, or keeping appointments is not your thing, then scroll on. Reliability is essential in addition to an active mind when working with animals. A lazy head will never fit in with us. It is too dangerous and no fun at all. For none of us. That is why we prefer warm, open and hands on mentality people. You can learn many things. But you need to aggree before that you are willing to do that.
We have the last day in August 2023. I´m tired. telling all over, be carefull with ressources. Clean the used bathroom afterwards. Do not put food leftovers in the waste, we are using the compost, do not play we a horse or donkey as they are fleeing animals. Please be carefull with the blind dog, He still cannot see and you have to be his eyes on his walk. Please do not play on the mobile phone while leading a donkey. I´m done. This workaway year was so hard with different people. Some nice anyway, but as well those who not are caring for the sourounding. Only for themselves. Spoilt children who want to go on holiday and be served. Without respect for the house rules, privacy or the tasks here. This portal is called work away. Not holiday away. I will therefore adjust the number of volunteers significantly downwards: There will be no more than two at a time and I will take the liberty of being less lenient and simply kicking people out after multiple requests to respect the house rules. I am really slow to anger. But after this summer, just unspeakably tired. I don't feel comfortable in my own house anymore and I'm struggling with the community meals because I'm unspeakably tired of repeating everything 30 times a day. It's no fun that way. After Corona, a kind of tourism has developed that has no advantages for any of us. So either you really mean it, or you don't even ask. It saves us a lot of time and nerves. If it costs my peace, it's too expensive. Thank youA little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a stable 5G internetline and give the wifi Password to everyone from our workawayers. we have a full office at home with scanner, printer and anything esle.
Space for parking camper vans
We have a lot of space. But not all space is for Campers. We are using 3 parts with seperated areas for campers. Gave our energy cable outside and let them be with us in our bathrooms. Share water and living space. Because of 5 german shepards, 25 sheep, 2 goats and 6 donkeys we need to seperate the animals and if you have a camper we will find a place, do you have a camper and a dog, or 2, or 3, or... the place ist possible but not always free. Cats are not meaningful. The can be in a caravan car you are traveling. But not in our trailers. Because we cannot save them. the dogs are not fine with cats. We don't think traveling with cats is wise. They need their stable environment. Anything else is not appropriate for the species.
Can possibly accept pets
Dogs are mostly easy. The other place is mostly used by our fury Family members. But once we had a lady feeding young pigions and had there with her... so ask us. We prefer travelers without pets. But have already accommodated some. It is not possible to make a general statement. Because it depends on which housemates we just integrate into our family. Sometimes it would be just too much and stress pre-programmed. But we have taken responsibility for those who live here. And I don't want to put that at risk lightly. Safety first!
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
maximum 5 hours over the day, 25 hours/week
Feedback (41)
The work was exhausting sometimes, nevertheless fulfilling day for day! The newborn lambs are really cute as well as the other sheep and Mütze, the goat, who were asking for cuddles and attention a lot. But be careful if you´re helping with the horses. They love… read more
Getting to cuddle with the animals and get hands-on was absolutely amazing.
Anke is such a powee-woman, and she truly values it when you contribute and think along with her.
Plus, her German Shepherds were next level adorable, especially Benny the blind one who occasionally bumped into me with his nose –… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.5)
The work was exhausting sometimes, nevertheless fulfilling day for day! The newborn lambs are really cute as well as the other sheep and Mütze, the goat, who were asking for cuddles and attention a lot. But be careful if you´re helping with the horses. They love… read more
Getting to cuddle with the animals and get hands-on was absolutely amazing.
Anke is such a powee-woman, and she truly values it when you contribute and think along with her.
Plus, her German Shepherds were next level adorable, especially Benny the blind one who occasionally bumped into me with his nose –… read more
To future volunteers, I hope that this feedback serves as an honest and (as far as possible) impartial way for the decision to collaborate with this project.
Regular work: at 7:30 am… read more
It was a very reliable, loving care for animals. The house rules were well followed and the understanding of the structure and plans developed. Long dog walking routes. Unfortunately, uncomfortable weather. Quite ahead when playing cards.… read more
I never tried taking care of animals before, I mean like the way Anke does, she is an inspiration always trated them in a different way and that will show… read more
Anke shares her home with everyone who wants to help, puts a lot of trust in you and due to her openness I felt at home very quickly.
I needed some days to adapt to the daily procedure, but once I did, the work made fun. In between I had less or more time to use for myself or to just cuddle… read more
I spent 2 months at Anke's place, 2 months I will never forget. It took me a little while to settle in and find my feet, but once I did, it was amazing. Anke has a huge heart for animals and you can see it in everything she does. I also learned so much from Jenny, how she takes care of the dogs, the donkeys, and the two… read more
Anke and Jenny both have so much compassion and care for their animals, which is really inspiring to see. Anke works really hard to help… read more
The work I did was really nice: We always started cleaning the donkeys' and goats' place (there is no better smell than shit in the morning). After that we had breakfast together. After breakfast we did what had to be done:… read more
The work is really ok and easy to learn and to do and you can feel that this place is experienced with volunteers. Most of the… read more
If you get to know animal whispererS, you have to go to the farm of Antje und Jenny, her second arm. It was amazing for me, to see, what is possible with ill-treated, neglected, tortured dogs and other animals, which often had suffered for years, getting sick or blind. Both women can really understand to communicate in a perfect way… read more
Anke, her team and all of the animals are really loving beings. Some of the animals aren't easy,… read more
The daily tasks were almost everyday the same, beginning with cleaning the animal area and stables followed by dog walks and cleaning. In the afternoon we also walked with the blind dog for 2 hours.
During the day we had a lot of breaks and freetime which i used to explore the forest and the village.
Anke is… read more
When you dedicate time and work here you are able to understad the passion of love that Anke put in this project, this motivate me to come back to this place and think about spend… read more
First of all, all the animals living there are wonderful and one gets to work with and cuddle them a lot! During my stay the focus was mainly on Beny the new blind german shepherd and we worked a lot on integrating him and just helping him to… read more
This was particularly evident in the animals, which were all friendly and… read more
village. In order to visit as many places as possible, we would recommend using bikes. You can either
bring your own (e.g. by train) or borrow some from Anke.
As we usually just worked until lunch, we had plenty of free time. Tasks included… read more
Two weeks of work in nature and with animals, staying in a very cosy hut in the middle of the garden where I watched the stars each night before falling asleep.
You can see it as an awesome little meditation routine when cleaning the stables in the… read more
I stayed with Anke for 1 week as my first experience as workawayer and It was wonderful. She is lovely personn and she shared a lot of stories with me. The work was fun and she was always trying to teach the best way to do it. It was really a retreat place where you can find… read more
we are pleased to present Amelie with a reference/certificate. Amelie reached us via the platform Workaway and organized a meeting at short notice. She reached us according to the arrangements. We welcomed Amelie in February 2020. During her presence she lived in the caravan, which she maintained independently.
We got to know… read more