Help restore a 1910 railway station and be part of a creative community project

Details

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  Description

  Hi, my name’s Jam. I’m originally from Australia, but I’ve been living in the Czech Republic for many years, working as a musician and selling vintage items. Since 2014, I’ve been restoring an old railway station between Prague and Plzeň, living and working here full-time as a solopreneur. Volunteers have played a huge role in bringing life, creativity, and care to the space, and I’m currently looking for people to join from the 15th for stays of two weeks to a month. If you’re interested in contributing meaningfully, working with purpose, and being part of something unique, please consider applying.
  
  About the place:
  The station is located in a quiet, forested region between Prague and Plzeň. A direct train will take you to Prague in an hour, and to Plzeň in 45 minutes. There’s a historic castle in Zbiroh just 3 km away, and many lakes, walking trails, and cycling routes in the area. The nearest working train station is Kařez, about a 10–15 minute walk away (please ask me for the exact path — it’s not on Google Maps).
  
  About the project:
  I live at an old railway station that’s also a protected cultural monument. I host travelers who help with simple daily tasks — gardening, restoring parts of the building, creative projects, and general upkeep. It’s a peaceful environment for people who enjoy history, hands-on work, and cultural exchange.
  
  We cook and share meals together, and I do my best to provide food to volunteers. That said, I also welcome people bringing their own food and contributing to what we prepare and eat together. Any food brought into the station must be vegetarian, out of respect for the shared space and values here.
  
  This is not a business — it’s a personal, community-oriented project that thrives on collaboration and creativity.
  
  Looking ahead:
  Originally I set this up as a non-profit, but due to administrative hurdles and lack of institutional support, I’ve had to shift gears. I’m now transitioning toward a new model: combining hands-on work with digital development. I’m in the process of establishing a new non-profit in Estonia focused on open-source and digital collaboration. If you’re a coder, tech-savvy, or just curious, I’d love to share the GitHub projects I’ve been developing. We’re actively encouraging the use of AI and digital tools as a way of adapting this historic station to the modern age. The goal is to connect the past and the future — keeping the soul of the place while giving it new relevance.
  
  A few practical things:
  • Energy use: Please use hot water and electricity mindfully. Prices have risen, and the climate is changing — so cold washing and common sense are encouraged.
  • ID registration: All foreign volunteers must be registered with the foreign police. I will need to take your ID on arrival and log your stay. This is a legal requirement.
  • Accommodation: I live on-site. The building has six flats, private land, and its own water supply. There’s room to grow things. I also live with four very friendly cats.
  • For van travellers: You’re welcome if self-contained, but I can’t provide electricity hookups or sewage disposal. Please be mindful — this is a conservative, post-Soviet area, and local residents can be sensitive to noise and unfamiliar behaviour. If you’re arriving with pets or a large van, we’ll need to talk first. All vehicle guests must also be registered with the foreign police.
  
  If you’re creative, independent, and interested in helping shape something real — both physically and digitally — you’ll fit in well here.
  
  Important: When contacting me, please start your message with “Hi Jam” so I know you’ve read the profile. Otherwise, I’ll reply with: “Please read the profile.”
  
  Profile updated regularly using a large language model.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Hiking

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Winter sports

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  Mountain
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Cultural Exchange & Free Time
  Experience daily life at a peaceful heritage site while contributing to its preservation.
  This is a unique opportunity to slow down, live simply, and share meaningful moments with other volunteers.
  Enjoy local sights like Zbiroh Castle, forest trails, lakes, and traditional Czech villages.
  The station is a 10–15 minute walk from Kařez train station (direct to Prague and Plzeň) and also served by the Borek bus stop.
  For maps, tips, and links to my blog about the project and region, just ask.
  
  Typical Volunteer Tasks
  Tasks vary depending on the season and your skills, but may include:
  • Sanding & varnishing floors
  • Painting and restoring windows
  • Building pallet gardens
  • Gardening and beekeeping assistance
  • Cleaning and organizing vintage interiors
  • Photographing and documenting items for archive purposes
  • Cooking and shared meal prep
  • Helping with open-source digital projects and non-profit setup (Estonia-based)
  
  Please Note:
  Volunteers are not involved in any of my private business activities (such as Airbnb or Booking.com).
  All help is focused on the care, maintenance, and revitalization of the heritage-listed railway station.
  This is a cultural exchange, not a job or work placement.
  
  Volunteer Agreement & Practical Info
  • This is a friendly, non-binding arrangement — not an employment contract.
  • Once accepted, you hold a spot (I host a limited number of people at a time).
  • You’re free to leave at any point, but please communicate in advance if possible.
  • All foreign guests must be registered with the Czech foreign police.
  • EU guests must have valid Czech health coverage.
  • Non-EU guests: please send a copy of your insurance policy showing Czech coverage before arrival.
  • Hot water and electricity are shared resources — please conserve energy and wash clothes cold (1 load/week).
  • I can offer a discount code (10–20% off) for a partner hostel in Prague 7 — ideal for weekend trips.
  
  This project receives no EU or state subsidies. It is entirely self-funded by the owner of the building. “Jam” The property carries no debt and is owned outright, with no bank or financial partnerships involved. All volunteer contributions are directed solely toward the care and revitalization of the cultural monument.

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  Help

  There are many rooms and areas needing attention:
  • Stripping old vinyl floors & removing rubble
  • Sanding & varnishing floors; sanding & painting windows
  • Cleaning, washing, light electrical & plumbing fixes
  • Building pallet gardens & garden prep (seeding, soil moving)
  • Vintage-furniture work: packing, photographing & listing online
  • Beekeeping support; cooking assistance
  • Digital & blockchain projects: I’m forming a new Estonia-registered non-profit and exploring metaverse expansions, decentralized solopreneurship, blockchain tech, and open-source tools. Coders, Web3 enthusiasts, and anyone curious about decentralized collaboration, environmental sustainability, and regional development are very welcome.
  
  
  Expectations:
  • Help 4–5 hours/day, focusing fully on tasks.
  • Bring a positive, adaptable attitude and be ready to collaborate.
  
  What to Bring (and What I Provide):
  • Flip-flops for the showers (spares available if you travel light)
  • Towel (spares available)
  • Work clothes & boots (I can lend gear if needed)
  • Season-appropriate layers
  • Common sense—safety gear (gloves, eye & ear protection) is provided and must be used whenever you choose to handle tools or materials

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation & Provisions
  • Vegetarian meals (3× daily)
  • Bed in a shared room (sheets & duvet cover provided)
  • Shower: every second evening
  • Laundry: 1 cold-water load/week (bring clean clothes; powder provided)
  • Internet available
  • Energy & water: please conserve hot water and electricity
  • Early departures (<2 weeks stay or leaving mid-week): you’ll work on your final day
  
  Your experience here depends on attitude, communication and clear goals. Before arrival, read my blog (ask me for the link) and tell me how you plan to help. This is a vegetarian household in a conservative Czech community—if you have strict dietary/health needs around food, or aren’t open to collaborative, open-minded dialogue, please consider carefully whether this project is the right fit.

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  What else ...

  Nearby Castles & Sights
  • Zbiroh & Točník: bike-friendly trails from the station (≈ 3 km to Zbiroh).
  • Karlštejn & Křivoklát: direct train from Kařez.
  • Lakes: two beautiful small lakes right by the station—ideal for a quiet walk and enjoying nature. These lakes aren’t suitable for swimming, but there are designated swimming spots within easy walking distance (ask me for details).
  
  Transport & Practical Tips
  • Train & bus times: check (search “Kařez,,Borek”).
  • Bus stop “Borek”: immediately outside the station; service is infrequent—arrive a few minutes early, carry exact change, and note which side of the road your return bus will stop on. Local drivers can seem brusque; a smile goes a long way.
  • Path to Kařez station: a 10–15 min walk along an unmarked trail—ask me for precise directions.
  
  Weekend & Excursions
  • Prague day trip:
  • Depart Kařez ~ 15:35
  • Return Prague → Kařez at 23:22 (arrive ~ 00:22)
  • Warning: if you miss that, the next train isn’t until ~ 04:32 (Apr–Oct only; no Sat-night service).
  • Plzeň visit (≈ 40 min):
  • Last direct train back ~ 20:40 (no hostels in Plzeň—plan ahead)
  • Highlights: Pilsner Urquell Brewery tours; depo2015 makerspace & café; Jewish Synagogue exhibitions; tea houses Perlová čajovna & Čajovna u Pekla.
  
  Getting to/from Prague Airport
  • Use the PID app for a multi-zone ticket—110 Kč covers 3 hours of travel across Prague’s network, including all the way to Kařez.

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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

  Yes, digital nomads are welcome. We have reliable Wi-Fi and quiet spaces for focused work. But it’s important that you don’t treat the station as a free hostel. If you plan to work around your own schedule, that’s fine — but before you arrive, you need to have clear goals and a clear idea of how you’ll contribute to the project. After hosting over 500 volunteers, I’ve learned that low effort and vague intentions don’t work well here. If you arrive with that kind of attitude, it affects everyone, and I may ask you to leave.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We’re open to people arriving with their own vans and staying in them, but there are a few important things to keep in mind. The station is in a fairly conservative area of a post-Soviet country, where locals may be cautious around foreigners. So it’s really important to respect the community, keep noise low, and be mindful of the Airbnb guests and other people staying on the property. I don’t provide electricity hookups or any sewage disposal facilities for campervans, so you’ll need to be self-contained. Pets are a possibility, but it all needs to be discussed in advance. I’ve also had past issues with things going missing, so if you’re staying in a vehicle, you must register with the foreign police. This is standard in the Czech Republic and helps ensure everything is above board.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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