Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
29 Oct 2025
Reply rate
97.2 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
18
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hi I’m Shirin, a hippie gardener. I’ve hitchhiked and traveled all around the world since 1987 when I was 25, mainly around Asia, Europe and Central Asia. One of my favourite countries was Syria- most friendly people I’ve seen.
I lived in Berlin for 10 years as an artist. I enjoyed painting then and now I have moved back to Malaysia and am pursuing my new hobby- permaculture.
By a stroke of luck and learning how to make friends with strangers, I found an abandoned field 20mins from my home- used by the neighbours to discard their bulky trash in Malaysia- and I saw its potential to be a place to start a permaculture project. I asked the neighbours who lived next to the garden if they were ok for me to transform it into a food forest and they agreed! So we came out to clear the trash- tv and sofa etc and cut the tall grass and we started work on my garden. This was 6-7 years ago.
During Covid, I couldn’t visit my garden for a long time cos I had to take care of my mum during the lockdown so it became very wild. I’m only a one person farming team so i definitely need more help to maintain it. Now I need help from younger group to achieve my dream of a beautiful self sustaining food forest. I am now 60 but still fit but my neighbour volunteers have turned old.
Come to my home and stay with me. I have a whole bedroom available with your own private toilet! I stay with my mum and brother in a 2 storey house about 15mins walk from the garden. We can provide meals and show you around Johor Bahru! Johor Bahru is a great place to stay, and also convenient stop if the next country u r visiting is Singapore. I’m originally from Singapore and can help you out with that too :)
If you love the tropics, sunny and sweat, a different climate from the cold and enjoy tropical fruits such as coconut pineapple and passionfruit! come join me!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
Interests
Charity work
Culture
Farming
Sustainability
Plant care
Photography
Gardening
Drawing & painting
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Art & design
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Nature
Camping
Beach
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I will share with you all my knowledge about medicinal herbs of the tropics and introduce you to exotic fruit trees here. I teach the art of urban Permaculture, urban reforestation and soil regeneration.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
🍑 I need help with farming
🍕 I also have a dream to build an earth pizza oven and a treehouse
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Malay: Fluent
Accommodation
🏚️Cozy 2-storey home with a private bedroom and bathroom on the second floor.
😃I live with my mum on the first floor, and my brother occupies another room upstairs.
🥘Guests will enjoy a comfortable and quiet stay with meals provided three daily — breakfast, lunch and dinner.
.
What else ...
Many morning markets and local sights, popular eateries are within walking distance. I can also lend you my bicycle. If not, Uber-like apps called “Grab” in Malaysia is very affordable about 3$-$10USD.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (11)
I worked in Shirin's garden. I learned alot about permaculture, sustainable gardening, recycling, and homesteading. Also we went to KotaJail(a former jail) often for… read more
Helpful, considerate and diligent .
She tries very hard in whatever she does . She shared her traditional dishes with us , unforgettable!
Hope to see you again
Since my arrival, I was treated very wonderfully, they even considered me a member of the family. My grandmother was very kind to me and loved me, and I loved her too🩵
If you want to learn anything about agriculture, just visit Shirin's garden. Shirin has everything there is to… read more
We really enjoyed his company, always polite and caring !
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
I worked in Shirin's garden. I learned alot about permaculture, sustainable gardening, recycling, and homesteading. Also we went to KotaJail(a former jail) often for… read more
Helpful, considerate and diligent .
She tries very hard in whatever she does . She shared her traditional dishes with us , unforgettable!
Hope to see you again
Since my arrival, I was treated very wonderfully, they even considered me a member of the family. My grandmother was very kind to me and loved me, and I loved her too🩵
If you want to learn anything about agriculture, just visit Shirin's garden. Shirin has everything there is to… read more
We really enjoyed his company, always polite and caring !
They worked on the tiniest details and try to correct whatever they saw if there was a problem!
I will… read more
She always took great care of us, bringing us to local markets, beautiful spots like the… read more
We really enjoyed having with us !he is such a cheerful and charming person! We hope that he can come back again as we had so much fun with him !
I had a private huge room in the Shirin house, we always shared the foods together and spent time to talk about… read more
Really enjoyed their company, just like a family member!
Fantastic organisational skills from a mess to order ! Fast in whipping up a sumptuous meal in a very short time ! Unforgettable time together!
The garden is amazing and we learnt a lot about permiculture while trying to help keep the property in good condition.
We went to many local markets and even… read more
Shirin is a very good person and very easy going. I learned a lot about gardening, malaisian culture and I have enjoyed a lot having conversations with her.
I would really recommend this anyone with similar interests. It is a good place!
