Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
30 Mar 2024
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
11
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
We are a couple in our 30s who started up a small eco-hostel in spring 2018 in the Codroy Valley of southwest Newfoundland, 30 minutes from the ferry to Nova Scotia. Currently we rent out the entire inn rather than individual beds (due to Covid) but our vision is to this less about tourism and more about sustainability education and permaculture in action in our community. We're always looking for motivated helpers who are genuinely interested in learning with us how to live sustainably and sharing skills.
In fall 2022 we will be putting the garden to bed, saving seeds, preserving and doing some home renovation projects (tearing out a wall and painting walls). We are in the planning stages of many new projects including turning our shed into our home and establishing a sustainable food production co-operative. We have a few plots in our neighbourhood that people have offered to us to grow food on to feed the community! This project is where we'll need most of our volunteers. In the spring we will be starting seeds and setting up infrastructure for the growing season. Those with building skills and experience market gardening would be especially helpful. Possibility of both short- and long-term stays, depending on how well we're getting along. We welcome volunteers to commit to 2 weeks and then we can take it from there.
In 2023 we will be hosting a trail crew from April to October. We'll still be a hostel, so housekeeping duties will still be a thing, but reduced to one or two beds. Even if we do not have guests, cooking and cleaning are always a job that needs doing.
We hope to have lots of activities on the go, whether it's food & gardening workshops, "free school", movie screenings, sports & games, stretching, meditation, music, dancing etc. Volunteers with specific skills are encouraged to organize and lead community workshops. All skills and knowledge could potentially be teachable to community members, tourists, and us. Ideally, our helper would want to build this place with us and be part of our team. Our goal is to someday collectivize our space where we share ownership of the property and different people would take care of it throughout the year.
We built an 18 foot geodesic dome greenhouse in 2018. This year, we hope to work on some the following projects: outdoor clay rocket stove/oven; mass rocket heater for the greenhouse; balcony for our lounge/cinema/event space; willow tree gazebo; bicycle-powered washing machine; rainwater collection; mushroom cultivation; composting & humanure; kelp harvesting; chicken care (planning to get hens in 2023); furniture construction from salvaged materials; murals & art projects; horticulture & landscape design; alternative energy generation; structural repairs; permaculture & gardening help; trail construction; pond building; brewing, social media.
We're open to experimentation and have space to let volunteers explore their passions and projects, even if not on the above list. We expect helpers to put in 5-6 hours a day (9-12 and 2-5), 5 days a week. In exchange for help, fresh vegan cooking ingredients are provided on work days (everyone is expected to take turns in the kitchen), as well as ample free time to explore the area. On weekends, helpers are welcome to help themselves to food & herbs from the garden but must take care of other food items on their own.
This year, we'll be doing "happy hour" every evening at 5pm, when we can all throw in the towel and relax.
We live at a dead end, on a river surrounded by mountains with impressive hikes, are steps away from a beautiful beach, and offer kayaks & bikes to our helpers. Our rural community is small and tight-knit. We have WiFi but no TV. We live simply, with a vegan diet, avoiding processed products. Our garden plus bulk buying provides much of our food. Our cats wander freely both outdoors and indoors. Individual helpers may stay in a bed; couples must camp (in summer). We strive to live with mindful intention but don't take ourselves too seriously. English, French, Italian, some Spanish, and a smackering of other languages spoken. LGBTQ friendly.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Helpers will have the opportunity to live in a simple, rural setting with mindful consumption & the freedom to explore their passions. We are open to new suggestions about off-grid living and always happy to learn and share knowledge. We want helpers to have a fun and enriching experience here!
Help
What you are encouraged to help with: mass rocket heater for the greenhouse; balcony for our lounge/cinema/event space; willow tree gazebo; bicycle-powered washing machine; rainwater collection; mushroom cultivation; composting & humanure; kelp harvesting; furniture construction from salvaged materials; murals & art projects; horticulture & landscape design; alternative energy generation; general permaculture & gardening help; trail construction; pond building.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Italian: Intermediate
Dutch: Beginner
Turkish: BeginnerThis 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.
Accommodation
Individual helpers may stay in a dorm bed. Couples must camp (in the summer). There is a lot of camping space and we can provide a tent/bedding.
What else ...
WiFi included, no TV.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The space isn't ideal for heavy concentration, but we do have pretty strong internet (not for gaming!) and we will do our best to respect your privacy.
Space for parking camper vans
Our driveway is big enough.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (5)
Roshni and Lana made me feel welcomed from the start!
I got to learn a bunch of things about gardening. I had very little experience of working in the garden before and they were very patient with my extra questions. There was a lot of weeding to be done, but I also did a little project - a narrow stone… read more
Feedback
Roshni and Lana made me feel welcomed from the start!
I got to learn a bunch of things about gardening. I had very little experience of working in the garden before and they were very patient with my extra questions. There was a lot of weeding to be done, but I also did a little project - a narrow stone… read more
My boyfriend and I spent two weeks at Lana & Roshni's place.
It was a real pleasure to go that far in Canada, and meet those two beautiful folks, their cats family and the little paradise they are living in. We came in the heart of winter so it wasn't the best time of the year to come in… read more
