Learn about sustainability and help conserve an old historic building in Erfurt, Germany

Detalles

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  Descripción

  We are a group of 6 grownup friends & family (+2 more people who don't live nearby at this point) and 3 kids renovating and rebuilding an old historic building that has been used as a cinema, bowling alley, and restaurant with a beer garden in the past and much more. The property with a garden is around 3000 m² large and home to over 100-year-old chestnut trees, as well as other fruit trees and plants beside the construction site and current storage areas for building materials. We try to make our dream come true and plan to convert the building into homes for community living, a workshop, an open space to be used for local associations for events, classses, workshops or so, a shared garden with beehives and chickens. Sustainability is a key aspect of this project as we are reusing as many of the old materials as possible to combine those with ecological technologies such as modern heating and solar systems, compost bio toilett or green roofs while conserving the historical soul of the building.

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Ayuda en proyectos ecológicos

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Mantenimiento general
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  If you are interested in community life, building projects, handcraft, sustainable construction or just getting your hands dirty, you found the right place. We are open-minded people with different backgrounds and educations, more or less related to the project, and are all willing to share our ideas and expertise: We have two carpenters (In German Zimmermann & Tischler), a mason, and two civil engineers, an ENT doctor, a sustainable design engineer, and a curative educator. We also all speak fluent German and English, fluent Spanish (two people), and fluent French (one person).
  
  With our past workawayers we have had the chance to enjoy cultural exchanges through cooking together dishes from their home countries and our own (have you experienced German asparagus yet? Or the local "Thüringer Bratwurst"?), going out to the famous Christmas market in Erfurt (one of the most beautiful markets in Germany), joining concerts (Die Prinzen - famous German Band!), going to local parties in the village, chatting around the camp fire etc. So, if you hang around for a bit there are plenty of occasions to socialize if you are up to it. If you rather enjoy nature, peace and quiet that is just fine as well.

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  Ayuda

  There is always plenty to do in this project and we are grateful for any helping hand we can get. Ideally, 5 hours per day 5 days a week from Thursday-Monday would fit our schedule best, as some of us are working during the week and we can best support during that time (but we are very flexible and are open to discussing possible alternative schedules). Our permanent homes are not far and we stay on site whenever possible. Our close neighbors are also involved in the project and help out occasionally. When you arrive we provide you with all our phone numbers so you can contact us at any time.
  
  In order to have a fulfilling experience, we would suggest planning a stay for at least 1-2 weeks and more is always welcome. Tasks vary as the construction site progresses, as an example these can include the following: gardening, helping out in the kitchen, painting windows, sanding beams, grouting, sorting materials, building a compost toilette with IBC containers, collecting walnuts, fruits and vegetables, chopping branches, filling holes, planting a green roof, building up fences, mowing lawn, barbecuing, getting your hands dirty in any possible way ... It includes physical tasks, but for hard, dangerous works that require any kind of expertise, we, of course, have paid professional workers. We can always find work that you feel comfortable doing even with zero expertise. Just be responsible and reliant and let us know what your interested in.

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas hablados
  Alemán: Fluido
  Inglés: Fluido
  Francés: Fluido
  Español: Intermedio

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  Ponte en contacto con él para obtener más información.
  
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  Alojamiento

  As you will be living on the site, the facilities are very simple, so don't expect luxury: There are different sleeping possibilities, depending on the season. There is space in the garden where we can build up tents (2-3) (tested and approved by ourselves). There is a big one with 2 compartments and two smaller ones. Enough space for up to 4 couples or pairs that don't mind sleeping next to each other. Additionally, we have finished restoring one tiny cosy sleeping room under the roof with space for max. 2 couples. Be aware the ceiling is not high enough to be standing, so it’s really just for sleeping. You’ll need to climb up a ladder and in the room, there is electricity and a small heater you can use for cold nights. We also provide mattresses, blankets, and sleeping bags as much as you need to be comfortable. If you have a van to sleep in you can also park it here, there is plenty of space.
  
  Additionally, we have two shower options outside in the garden: a solar shower (currently needs repairing), so warm water here is quite limited and its availability depends much on the weather, and a shower with electrical water heating that works somewhat, the water (in both cases) doesn't get super hot though. Both are currently installed outside in the garden. There is always the possibility of using hot water from the kitchen and we have a shared break room in which there is an oven in which you can make fire to warm up.
  
  We have all the safety equipment like gloves, glasses, Helmets, safety shoes, etc. that we require everyone to wear according to the task. Additionally, you'll be provided with towels and working clothes. We can also wash your clothes for you, just make sure to shake off the main dirt first, so we don't ruin our washing machines. There is a portable toilet, but we don't mind if you prefer watering the bushes. We are currently working on installing a bio-toilet system. Inside the building, we have an (again basic!) kitchen with a fridge, oven, stove, coffee maker, kettle, and electricity that you will be able to use at any time. Be aware that there is NO WIFI on site, if you need to go online for a bit you can come home with us.
  
  Whenever we are on-site, we like to eat together. Most of the time, lunch will be organized by us on Saturdays depending on how many people we are. Just let us know if you are on any special diet. For other times we will make sure to provide you with groceries so that you can cook for yourself, here again just let us know what you are used to. We go shopping once a week in a small supermarket (so if you have anything special you need, you might have to get it yourself), so just provide us with a list of items you need for the week and it will be brought on site. Or you can check out the kebab place and the local grill station (only Fridays for lunch).
  
  Feel free to bring your dog.

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  Algo más...

  The property is in a small village close to Erfurt that is very well connected by train (15 min walk to the station) and we can lend you a bike so you can come around easily. There is not much in the village besides a kebap, a small farm store and a butcher, but it's surrounded by fields, nature and a small river. If you want to visit the surrounding cities it's very easy by train, car or if you're up to it, also by bike. Erfurt is just 10 km away / 10 min by train, Weimar is around 15 km away / 40 min by train, Jena is around 40 km away/ 1 hour by train. All three cities are worth a trip to visit as they have beautiful historical centers and lots of culture and museums.

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  Este anfitrión puede proporcionar un sitio para autocaravanas.

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  Podría aceptar mascotas

  Este anfitrión dice que acepta a viajeros con mascotas.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Dos

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  Horas esperadas

  Max 5 days a week, 5 hours per day

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