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We are building our food and energy self-sufficiency, do you want to give us a hand

  • Favourited 67 times
  • Last activity: 25 Jan 2023

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are Sandro, Irina, Chiara and Anastasia. Since 2020 we have moved from the city to the countryside.
    The reasons that led us to this change are sustainability, food and energy self-sufficiency. Our project is based on the principles and ethics of permaculture.
    After a long period of planning we are in the construction phase. Our project is called "Borgo Mandralisca" which is the name of the village located 1 km from our house; It is urrounded by greenery between woods and unspoiled countryside.
    We have created a chicken coop of laying hens in green building of wood and straw: at the moment there are 150 laying hens living there, respecting their natural needs to the maximum. The open space dedicated to them is 2500 square meters of field full of plant biodiversity. In this area there is the family orchard.
    In addition to hens, we raise bees that give us excellent Sulla, Wildflower and Eucalyptus honey in our wood.
    We are creating a family garden with different methodologies: synergistic, bio-intensive and lasagna garden. We have built an olive grove and a family orchard.
    The Borgo Mandralisca project is also a space to dedicate oneself to yoga and meditation, and to return to her roots. Irina is a yoga and meditation teacher.
    At the moment we are carrying out:
    - A biocompatible wellness center, with a bio sauna, the idea is to use the thermo compost to heat it;
    - geodesic domes to be used as seedbed and storage of materials.
    - a worm compost to reuse the droppings produced by hens
    - a toilet compost

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    You will learn how geodedic domes are built; Sicilian cuisine and pastry; yoga and meditation; how
    to create and care for a synergistic garden and permacuture.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for volunteers who love being outdoors and love nature. You can help us build
    geodedic domes and eco-friendly structures with us, take care of the garden and house routine.
    At certain times of the year there may be times when we are focusing on a specific project:
    planting trees, working the land, building structures, etc.
    VOLUNTEERS DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE FARM BUT ONLY IN FAMILY ACTIVITIES

  • Languages spoken

    Italian: Fluent
    Russian: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    You will stay in a fully equipped room in our home. Meals will be shared and we will cook together. We eat healthy
    in a natural and homemade way, mainly vegetarian; the water comes from a spring near the
    home. Alternatively, if you have your own camper, we can provide a special parking space.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We are strongly convinced that the meeting of new cultures, experiences and knowledge is the
    true richness of the soul.
    There are several events that are worth seeing and experiencing in Gangi:
    - Cravaccata, in the days of Carnival: allegorical floats and masks on horseback.
    - Palm Sunday and Holy Week: colorful and baroque, the procession of the palms is an ancient and
    very popular rite. The rhythm of the drums carried on the shoulders, by the tamburinara, starts
    the ceremony: recalled by the tam tam that announces the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the
    faithful and the brotherhoods with their banners cross the streets of the medieval center ending
    the path in front of the churchyard of the Matrice church, where 24 unison drums beat the final
    rhythm.
    - Feast of the Holy Spirit: Monday following Pentecost, spectacular religious procession, with 35
    wooden statues carried on the shoulders.
    - Festa dei Burgisi: first Sunday in August.
    - Sagra della Spiga: second Sunday in August, a traditional festival.
    - Living in Assisi: 4 October (biennial): reenactment in costume of the life of St. Francis.
    - Christmas: with the living nativity scene, ancient Bethlehem is set in the alleys of Gangi; with the
    concert of bells, the Christmas atmosphere is charged with the sounds of the party; and there is
    also the Christmas market
    Services such as bar, supermarket, post office, bus can be found in Gangi. To get to Gangi from
    Palermo you can use the SAIS transport bus service; To get from the village to our house it takes
    15 minutes by car.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 224156281917

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