Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
29 Apr 2025
Reply rate
83.7 %
Usually responds within 10 days
Feedback
17
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Details
Description
The long-term goal is to design and build an inspiring permaculture project that demonstrates on a small scale how to create a resilient life style coexisting with nature. It is a challenging aspiration as the reality of construction material costs have risen drastically and finding affordable skilled labor in natural earthen building is increasingly difficult. The volunteers have helped immensely to develop this project forward.
Last year, I bought a small land in a remote village and started renovation on an old house originally built in 1957. It is a hanok house, traditional Korean wood and earth architecture, and includes a kudeul room, radiated earthen floor through a wood fired flue system that is unique to Korea. Most of the renovation is finished. Remaining work within the house is interior wood work and detailing of the kitchen. Future aspirations include demonstration gardens, outdoor kitchen, earth oven, compost toilet, outdoor shower/ bath, new water system piping spring water from the mountains on to the land. Slowly the dream is being manifested. The masterplan design for this small project is still in progress.
The main help needed at the moment is construction, carpentry and decorative work, design build of the kitchen and interior spaces. Also cement and piping work for an outdoor pond for grey water system. I am looking for strong people who can handle physical work and have some skills with carpentry tools or a high interest in construction and woodworking. The secondary work is on-going which is maintaining the garden spaces and in cleaning the tiny guesthouse. I am very interested in finding 1 volunteer who is interested in a long term stay 3-6 months or even longer if it’s the right fit with a strong independent mindset interested in all things permaculture to help manage the project.
I receive alot of requests from those interested but please message me only if you have a serious interest and some experience is a plus. I am not the best at checking and responding to the slew of messages here as I am often running around with outdoor tasks. So patience is appreciated if I don’t respond in a timely manner. Also when volunteers are here, flexibility and independence is very essential to be a good fit here as tasks will vary depending on the needs at the time of volunteering and also weather sensitive. Volunteers should come with this in mind as they may not only work on what they prefer but what is most urgent in the help needed. And direct communication is also requested to make adjustments as needed so that it is a good experience for everyone.
The work is usually 5 hours a day mostly in the morning 5 days a week with 2 days off and all food is provided on work days but not on days off. The meals are freshly cooked with as much from the garden as possible and mostly vegetarian or pescatarian. I can adjust the food depending on volunteers request if they are vegan or have certain allergies.
Lunches are prepared for volunteers but it is preferable if volunteers can prepare their own breakfast and dinner in the evening with whatever is in the kitchen or in the garden. This way, the host can rest in the evenings. Occasionally there will be special meals prepared together or bbqs in the evening when there is time and energy.
If you’re keen on permaculture, this place is waiting for you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travelers can learn about permaculture in the local korea context. esp about the wild mountains greens foraged in these high mountains which is why the regional Cholla-nam-do food is famous. they can experience the local life and famous history of the jirisan mountains. There are many beautiful temples, hikes and scenic sunset viewpoints high in the mountains overlooking the samjigang river.
The owner of the project is Korean-American, born in Cholla-nam-do, Korea and raised in the US. She returned to Korea as an adult and decided to settle here. She is managing the work alone without a partner or nearby family which has its challenges. The numerous volunteers who have come through last year, not only gave valuable support but have taught her about the universal connections and struggles and joys in life. They have become her transient community. This project has evolved immensely through their enthusiastic help and has been such a blessing.
She is a fellow wanderluster herself, curious about other cultures and ways of life. Her extensive travels around the world have often been more an inner journey to expand deeper understandings and shared connections into our humanity.
Help
If you are highly motivated and can take self initiative on creative projects with interests in sustainable living, natural farming, natural building, alternative energy, water systems, permaculture land design, handcrafts, farm to table - cooking directly from the garden, alternative education, foraging wild edibles, etc. then this might be a good fit for you!
Please keep in mind, this is not an established project, it is in progress and on a very small scale.
The work varies from day to day based on the weather and needs. Please specify which skill sets you can offer, work experiences you have so far gained and what interests you would like to develop or learn.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Korean: Intermediate
Accommodation
Depending on the time of volunteering, accommodations are either dormitory style large room or private small room for two. It has traditional Korean style sleeping on the floor so there are no beds, just yoga mat or floor futons with blankets. If you have your own sleeping bag, good to bring. Facilities are modern with hot water and heated floors.
But if you prefer the outdoors and have your own tent, there is space to camp out under the stars nearby!
*there is high speed WiFi Internet here, but you may want your own data plan if you’re moving around Korea before or after coming here.
What else ...
The landscape is stunning and there is much to explore if you are a nature mountain lover. Depending on the work at the time, volunteers will have afternoons or mornings free and certain free days to explore the area as they wish. There is a local bus nearby that runs hourly. If we have time, we can also see some other projects or scenic sites by car!
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.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (8)
First of all, she is very kind and we had a lot of good times in the evening on the deck of her Hanok (traditional Korean house). She is an excellent cook, I would even call her a chef ! She introduced us to all kind of Korean dishes!
On the work aspect, the tasks were very… read more
Photos
Feedback
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(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
First of all, she is very kind and we had a lot of good times in the evening on the deck of her Hanok (traditional Korean house). She is an excellent cook, I would even call her a chef ! She introduced us to all kind of Korean dishes!
On the work aspect, the tasks were very… read more
Uni had a few priorities...including a shade shelter, kitchen remodeling work, and general organization… read more
In terms of work, we usually started early morning and worked 5h until lunch time. Our main tasks were small constructions/reparations and gardening.… read more
Thank you so much for everything
