South Africa
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We are a family of 4 on the adventurous path to self-sustainability. Our 8ha farm is on the edge of a rural village and we are building a straw bale house with all means of alternative power. We will be planting orchards, a vineyard, a food forest, medicinal herb garden, and other land crops. Our chickens supply eggs and clear new planting land. Our daily work is varied and interesting.
We are on the fynbos route to the southernmost tip of africa and have many artists and free thinkers in the area.
We have enjoyed having volunteers from around the world as part of our family for 9 years.
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Volunteers will be immersed in and have a true experience of setting up a self-sustaining homestead. We were camping while we build our off-grid farm so feel like pioneers most days! Our work is physical and if you are not fit, you soon will be. That said, we like to have fun and this is not boot camp but we are constantly stretching our minds and bodies to live a full balanced life.
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Skills are welcome but most important is a willing attitude. The list of tasks is endless but the top priorities are to help upgrade the volunteer homestead and clear firebreaks.
In between is general farm work.
This summer will be fencing and clay plastering the exterior of the house.
The greenhouse needs cob and glass bottle walls built. The farm needs some alien vegetation removed and fences repairing. Just something for everyone here.
Introducing our 14 year old to your culture/ country is an important part of his education.
Languages spoken
Afrikaans: Fluent
English: Fluent
German: Beginner
French: Beginner
This 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.
We have a small private timber cabin which needs finishing but is comfortable with a double bed and linen provided. There is also a campground under trees for summer and we have tents and some sleeping bags for that. Ablutions are shared with the family although we are working on making that independent too. Thankfully we have hot- if short - solar showers and sawdust bucket toilets.
Our food is mostly vegetarian. We provide a weekly basket of dry goods and fresh produce. We share garden veggies when available. You self-cater most meals. We like to have a weekly dinner together. Keep in mind that fridge space is limited and we provide a cooler box for volunteers to use. We charge electronic goods by solar in the middle of the day only. No sun= no power. Water is critical and limited here.
If you are seriously considering joining us, I can whatsapp short video clips to you.
Bring your own data as we do not offer wifi. There is good cellphone signal in the area but its a good place to detox from technology.
There are good walks through forests and up mountains nearby. The beach is 15kms away and volunteers hitchhike there regulary. If we go, then you come too! We have many small wild animals to see and night time skys are floodlit with stars.
We can collect you from Gansbaai or Hermanus with some prior arrangements. More travel advice on request.
If you book a space and cannot make it please let us know so we can fill your place as we have a long waiting list.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
There is plenty of safe parking space on our farm. Should you want to stay in your van while here, you can use the very basic campground.
More than two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
