Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
6
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
My name is Oraya and I'm an Artist. I'm 42, female, well travelled and interested in Nature. I recently completed courses in Eco building, including Rammed Earth, Straw Bale, Earthships, Cob, Hemp and Green Roofing. I mostly trained with the Brighton permaculture trust.
I have been Bio-Dynamically and Organically food growing and have now embarked on a new project. My current project includes establishing a self sustaining small holding and two Eco building projects.
I have a large vegetable garden that is chemical free and a cob oven and outside fire pit.
The projects that I am working on at the moment are a 2 storey extension, a glass bottle wall building, and a barn renovation. I'm also making a sauna and steam room.
I live in a village called Kovachitsa which is half an hour away from the main town of Lom where there is a station and coach station. It is very quiet village and my house backs onto fields and is 6 miles from the Danube River which is nice for swimming in summer if you don't mind a few mosquitoes. You can also swim in the lake in the village.
Accommodation is in the main house and you would have your own room and great wifi.
I can accommodate large groups of up to 15 people.
I am available every year between May and September.
My preferred length for guests to stay, is two weeks, but long stay and short say also welcome. Bring good shoes and boots.
There are always many small jobs to do as well as larger building projects so the work is varied. I would welcome anyone with skills as I have a job for almost every trades person. I also welcome any person eager to learn new skills as I am happy to teach you almost any skill you want to try. There is work in, electrics, plumbing, plastering, tiling, welding, timber framing, roofing, carpentry, Eco building, vegetable growing, wicker fencing and lots more. I work very hard, so I will likely still be on the job when you are having downtime, and as long as it doesn't stop me working, and you don't mind entertaining yourselves sometimes, I'm happy. People who wish to put in extra free hours- I am eternally indebted to, but there is no expectation of this.
I am very easy going and like to think of myself as fun, playful and sociable.
I post a daily vlog for six months of the year, it's like a short video diary of the work I do here
I also keep a picture diary on my Facebook page
I haven't had many volunteers but the ones I have had gave five star reviews. I am also on other volunteer hosting platforms
I welcome those who want to be a part of a community, (there are usually other people around.) I also welcome same sex couples, as I'm a supporter of the LGBTQI community.
I very much look forward to hearing from you please do send me a message I could really use an extra pair of hands.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am happy to share all aspects of running a small holding as well as teaching Eco building skills which will be offered as an on the job practical skill. I am also able to offer food and lodging, internet access and good company.
Help
I'm looking for both skilled and unskilled people who want to learn something new and contribute to the Eco building projects as well as the general maintenance involved in the practical aspects of food production and growing. I am particularly interested in learning Bulgarian, so if you can help with that it would be most appreciated.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis 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
Your own room in the family house, a bell tent, or bring your own accommodation.
What else ...
The Agricultural area provides ample opportunities for hunting and fishing. The River Danube is 3 miles away and I have a collection of bikes that can be borrowed, if cycling and swimming take your fancy. There is also opportunity for motorcycle related activity, being in near proximity of a National trails course.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
I have lots of parking for large motor homes on level concrete, in a beautiful garden.
Can possibly accept pets
I have cats and no fencing but your pet is welcome.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
15 hours/week- self catering, 25 hours/week- meals provided
Feedback (3)
We had some really great conversations and I admire the trip that they are doing and their knowledge about tea.
My experience was that they were very independent and at the same time great company, they helped me with sanding floors and building walls in their brief stay and also baked some… read more
Oraya is such a cool person and we are both in awe of… read more
It has been so nice to learn from this gentle kind hard-working person. We shared a lot of conversations and he was an excellent communicator despite our very different working methods. Mat helped me with designing the roof and gave me the confidence to continue with the build while teaching me about reinforcement… read more
She made feel us at home, we had the possibility to meet a lot of different crazy english people living in Bulgaria, we ate a lot (her mother cooks very well) and she brought us in lots of different places that you could never seen as a tourist.
Even if she is very busy in her projects, she will let you try a lot… read more
They were eager to learn, open minded, considerate, and thoughtful.
They helped me a lot with rubbish collection, clearing concrete blocks, and learned some new skills building a glass bottle wall, making cob and using some machinery. They also completed some concrete foundations by hand.
They had beautiful… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
We had some really great conversations and I admire the trip that they are doing and their knowledge about tea.
My experience was that they were very independent and at the same time great company, they helped me with sanding floors and building walls in their brief stay and also baked some… read more
Oraya is such a cool person and we are both in awe of… read more
It has been so nice to learn from this gentle kind hard-working person. We shared a lot of conversations and he was an excellent communicator despite our very different working methods. Mat helped me with designing the roof and gave me the confidence to continue with the build while teaching me about reinforcement… read more
She made feel us at home, we had the possibility to meet a lot of different crazy english people living in Bulgaria, we ate a lot (her mother cooks very well) and she brought us in lots of different places that you could never seen as a tourist.
Even if she is very busy in her projects, she will let you try a lot… read more
They were eager to learn, open minded, considerate, and thoughtful.
They helped me a lot with rubbish collection, clearing concrete blocks, and learned some new skills building a glass bottle wall, making cob and using some machinery. They also completed some concrete foundations by hand.
They had beautiful… read more
