Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Jul 2023
Feedback
34
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Badges (3)
Details
Description
This is a small, rather old farm, in the centre of Sweden, 3 hrs south west of Stockholm, just north of the town Motala. Gunneli, 56, psychotherapist and physical therapist, live here together with Shaggy the cat, five hens and a rooster, as well as a few 10s of thousands of bees. Rafiqi, a 25 year old (horse) is also part of the family, but lives at a different farm.
My goal is to one day be as close to self-sufficient as possible, but I'm still far from that today. However, I do my best in living a "circular" life, going along with Permaculture principles of making as small an inprint on the world as possible. I have only solar power, so my electricity usage/availability depends on the weather. I grow my own food, with the help of the animals (and my own) waste, and I do my best in salvaging what has been left behind by others to be used again. The farm is situated in the middle of the forest. All I hear is the birds singing and the wind going through the trees. An occasional car drives by.
The layout of my farm follows my interest in Nordic Shamanism. The water well is in the north, the high mountain (to connect w spirit) is inte east. The fireplace is in the south. The main garden, the earth, is in the west. And in the very centre of the farm is the medicin wheel. One day it is to be filled with medicinal herbs!
Even though the farm Is small, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. The garden is constantly growing and the houses always need maintenance. The oldest log-house (from the 1600th century) needs a whole lot of restoration, like lifting and exchanging the bottom layer of logs. This is where I'm hoping for some help!
I lead a very simple life in the eyes of modern Sweden. During summer I have as much electricity I need, but no washing machine, besides the one w pedals. Wintertime not so much electricity... candle light is nice! The house is only heated by wood stoves. And there are fewer machines than most people are used to, like no washing machine or dryer for example. Besides that I only work part time (in the town of Motala), I do my best in keeping costs down.
Previously I've enjoyed traveling a lot and also volunteering myself in various parts of the world. Therefore, I welcome the international company! I enjoy different languages, learning about different cultures, and just chatting away comparing lifestyles and learning from each other.
I eat meat and fish, but also a lot of vegetables. Still, if you have difficulties seeing blood or accepting meat-eaters, this is not the place for you.
These are some of my daily activities. If anything appeals to you - please, send me a mail!
Looking forward to hear from you!
Please note!!! This is not the best place for you if you are under 30 years old and on your very first volunteer trip. My experience with young volunteers is that they need companions, which is very natural. That will not be the case here though! Here you will be alone for some days sometimes, which means you need to really like being on your own, as well as being able to shoulder responsibility for animals, garden and farm as well as your personal needs - on your own! This sounds easy enough to most people, but in fact is more demanding than what you might think. The person who will be comfortable here needs to have a longing for the quietness of the forest and really wanting to be part simple and natural life along with Mother Nature.
Types of help and learning opportunities
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
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We share the work and the tasks around the farm and in the house as much as we are able to. That means you have to be prepared to clean your house, and take care of your own cooking at times. When time allows it, I'm happy to share a meal, talk and share knowledge and life with you.
I have been doing many different things throughout my life concerning international contacts, traveling and learning new skills. This is why I like to continue with the international experiences, but now have them coming to me as it is more difficult leaving the farm.
At the same time, life on a an old farm involves many different things, which vary a lot during the year. However, money still needs to come in to pay for food and housing, so I also need to work outside the farm.
If you like swimming or canoeing I have a beautiful, large lake nearby. 10 min by foot or a short bike ride. Plenty of other small lakes around for fishing and swimming as well. There are also other, larger places to go swimming and boating, but a little further away. One of the largest sandy beaches in Sweden are situated in Motala!
Without a car you are bit isolated here. However, there are bikes you can borrow to get to the closest busstop 3 km away. The bus will take you to Motala. From there you can take the train to Mjölby, Linköping, Stockholm etc.
Help
I'm renovating very old houses so any experience of carpentry is very appreciated. As well as any garden experience. I'm designing the farm according to permaculture principles.
There could also be painting, arranging green houses, chopping wood, clearing out the woods, moving dirt etc, etc.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Swedish: Fluent
Arabic: Beginner
German: Beginner
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
Turkish: Beginner
Accommodation
I have 1- 2 rooms available for volunteers in a separate house with a very basic standard of living. No running water. Outdoor toilet. Shower outside or in the main house. Outdoor kitchen, or in the main house. Wi-Fi throughout the house - but not during the night, no regular TV how ever. Once we have met, and if we get along well, there might be possibility to stay in the main house if desirable.
What else ...
I lead a very simple and easy going lifestyle. I go to work in Motala some days, but some days work at home.
I expect you to manage yourself more or less. Including cleaning your share of the house and your laundry. Of course I'm happy to share time and work with you when I'm at home, but be prepared to be in charge of your own cooking, at least when you are alone.
The closest bus stop is about 3 km from our farm. The bus will take you to Motala where you can jump on the train for Stockholm (3 hrs) or Örebro (1 hrs) or Gothenburg (3,5 hrs) or where ever you like in Sweden. During the summer months there is also possibilities to take smaller trips by boat, on our small channel from Motala.
I have bikes you can borrow, and when I go by car somewhere you are of course welcome to come along.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
There's plenty of room for vans etc. But I can't promise electricity 24/7
Can possibly accept pets
My cat is pretty scared of dogs and other larger animals. But if you keep your animal within sight, and out of sight of my cat, it's ok.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
at least 5 hrs per day
Feedback (17)
Coming from the city, I can admit now I had little to no idea what it was like to live close to nature, and to take care of animals everyday. Gunneli was a great teacher, very kind and patient. Seemed like she immediately put her trust in me, which was a fantastic confidence… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
Coming from the city, I can admit now I had little to no idea what it was like to live close to nature, and to take care of animals everyday. Gunneli was a great teacher, very kind and patient. Seemed like she immediately put her trust in me, which was a fantastic confidence… read more
Thank you!!!
I really enjoyed my stay on your farm! It was the perfect mix of work , cultural exchange, good talks, delicious food and developing a minor addiction to the board game "Settlers". The working times were quite flexible and next to the everyday tasks such as looking after the horses, I also got to learn some… read more
Gunneli is an interesting person with lots of life experiences, and a knowledgeable person whom you can learn a lot from if you have the right… read more
Gunneli showed me… read more
This is definitely worth a stay.
Thanks for everything and hope to see you again!
Thies
