Help at a cool hostel in the middle of the semi-desert, Udabno, Georgia

Details

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  Description

  Join our hardworking and warm-hearted team in the Georgian semi-desert!
  
  Hello! We are a Polish family running a unique guesthouse and restaurant in the small village of Udabno, right next to the David Gareja monastery complex. Life here is raw, windy, and sun-drenched. The views are endless, the food is real, and the work is honest.
  
  We’re looking for volunteers who love to be active, solve problems independently, and don’t expect to be babysat. If you’re the kind of person who sees a full trash bin and takes it out without being asked – this might be your place. If you’re someone who needs daily to-do lists, shift schedules, and reminders to clean up after yourself – it definitely isn’t.
  
  We really care about cleanliness — both in our own spaces and the ones we share. If you naturally notice when something needs cleaning and take action without being asked, you’ll likely turn out to be one of the most wonderful volunteers we’ve had. For us, this kind of awareness is one of the biggest assets you can bring.
  
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  🏡 A place built with and for the local community
  
  We proudly employ many people from the village – mostly women who have few other opportunities in this region. This job is their main, and often only, source of income in Udabno. Keeping a workplace running for so many people is a huge responsibility, and we all play on the same team. This place exists largely for the village, and by volunteering, you become part of that mission.
  
  We don’t talk much about it, but we are deeply involved in charity work within the village. Every year, part of our income goes to support elderly people, children, and those who are ill.
  
  Please keep this in mind if you ever feel frustrated or think you’re simply “working for someone’s private business.” There’s more going on here than meets the eye, and giving back to the local community is an important part of what we do.
  
  Most of our team doesn’t speak English, and you shouldn’t expect them to. Of course, they try their best, and communication always happens — through gestures, goodwill, and smiles.
  
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  🌾 Our philosophy: Work as a way of life
  
  We were raised to believe in the dignity and joy of work. For us, work is not just something to endure in order to fund a lifestyle. It is a lifestyle — a meaningful, fulfilling part of being human.
  
  That said, we understand that people have different approaches to life and work. Many value “work-life balance” — and that can mean different things to different people. We respect that. But if the description below sounds more like a nightmare than a challenge or an adventure – it’s probably best not to apply. You won’t be happy here, and that’s okay.
  
  Here, skills are less important than attitude. We don’t expect you to know everything, but we do expect you to want to learn. We value people who take initiative, who don’t wait for orders, and who clean up not only after themselves — but also when something needs to be done.
  
  If, back home, your parents (or hired help) made your bed, cooked your food, changed your sheets, and cleaned your bathroom — this is probably not the place for you. We’re looking for people who were raised to respect and take care of shared spaces from a young age.
  
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  🧼 Clean space = clear mind
  
  Volunteers share simple but comfortable rooms and common bathrooms. It’s your responsibility to keep your spaces clean. Volunteers are expected to create and manage their own cleaning schedules. We are not your supervisors – we are co-hosts. The cleaning of your own space is not counted as volunteering work.
  
  For example, if we ask you once in the morning to clean the floor or the bathroom, it’s not a “special task” for that day. It means we trust you to make it part of your rhythm — a kind of ritual — and to take care of that task going forward without reminders. This kind of independent, proactive approach is something we truly value.
  
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  🤝 Solidarity is everything
  
  Imagine this: your shift is over, it’s dinner time, and you walk into the dining area. Suddenly, there’s an unexpected rush — the hostel’s going wild, the team is short-handed. What do you do?
  
  If your answer is: “Serve myself and head to the terrace, as it’s not my working hours” – this is not your place.
  If your instinct is: “Hey, do you need help?” – this is your place.
  
  We believe real communities are built not through rules but through care and awareness.
  
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  🚫 A note about couples
  
  Over the years, we’ve learned that couples who met recently or while travelling often face interpersonal challenges that affect the work dynamic. Because of this, we rarely accept such couples unless you’ve known each other and lived together longer. We also do not offer private rooms for volunteer couples, nor can we guarantee matching work shifts.
  
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  ✨ Final thoughts
  
  We live and work in a remote, beautiful place. Our days are long, filled with real connection, fresh food, laughter, music, and work that matters. It’s not for everyone — but for the right people, it’s unforgettable.
  
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  We’re only human, too.
  
  Over the years, we’ve learned that good connections make all the difference. When we meet people who share similar values and energy, it’s easier to build something together. With time, we naturally become more open — sharing meals, deeper conversations, and enjoying the daily rhythm together.
  
  But when there’s a mismatch — when we feel we don’t have much in common or frustrations start to grow — it becomes harder to share space in a meaningful way. In those cases, we may pull back to focus just on the essentials.
  
  Our shared work and time together shape how both you and we feel. That’s why we have a simple rule: if after two weeks things don’t seem to be working, if there’s no “click,” we reserve the right to end the Workaway.
  
  ⏳ Two-week trial period
  
  We have a two-week trial period for all volunteers. These first two weeks are meant to help both sides understand if this place, this rhythm, and this way of working are the right fit.
  
  It’s very common that after this period we or you decide not to continue. This doesn’t necessarily mean anything dramatic happened — it simply means that, from experience, we know the dynamic isn’t quite right and that staying longer won’t lead to a positive outcome for either side.
  
  We’ve learned that forcing something that doesn’t “click” leads to frustration on both sides. Ending things early saves everyone time and energy — and prevents bigger disappointments later on.
  
  Please don’t take it personally. Sometimes it’s just not the right match — and that’s perfectly okay.
  
  Please don’t expect us to explain in detail what exactly didn’t work for us. We believe it’s neither necessary nor fair. We don’t think it’s our place to tell someone there’s something wrong with their personality or approach — perhaps the issue lies in us, not in you.
  
  Likewise, we kindly ask you — even if you feel disappointed — not to judge us, our ethics, or who we are as people, simply because we ask you to leave. It’s not worth it.
  
  We are all trying to be good people. Sometimes the best way to stay good people is to part ways with kindness and respect, so that everyone can move on with positive feelings.
  
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  Also, remember: if you’re not happy here, you are always free to leave.
  
  Please don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s important to understand: we don’t need you here. What we do want is for you to feel happy, to enjoy your time with us, and to share good moments through working together.
  
  Sometimes it’s actually better when you make that decision — especially if you notice we’re becoming distant, grumpy, or having to repeat what needs to be done each morning.
  
  For us, it’s often harder to be the ones to end things because we don’t know if you have another place to go or the funds to cover accommodation elsewhere. So if you feel things aren’t working or the dynamic isn’t right — it’s completely okay to step away. We will understand.
  
  This is a shared experience, not a contract — and it only works if it feels good on both sides.
  
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  🧊 A reality check
  
  Having hosted hundreds of volunteers, we can say that, for the vast majority of the time, it’s been a wonderful experience and we miss them in a metaphysical sense. However, no matter how busy it can seem, we don’t really miss them as physical help, since most of the essential work — cooking, cleaning cabins, shopping, accounting, reservations, emails, taking care of horses, masterclass, concerts, organising guest tours and more — is done by paid staff and by us.
  
  Volunteers should keep in mind that their work is just the tip of a much bigger iceberg, made possible by the dedication of many local employees. We ask you to respect their efforts — and to approach this experience with humility.
  
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  Important Notes for Volunteers – Please Read Carefully
  
  We are kind, easygoing people, and we value mutual respect and awareness. That means we usually don’t spell out things that, to us, seem obvious. For example, we’re happy to teach you what needs to be done to welcome guests — but we won’t remind you to clean up your own spilled coffee or to take a shower when you’re working closely with others. Some things are just expected and should be done without being asked.
  
  This is not a communication issue — it’s about taking responsibility and using common sense.
  
  If, for example, one of the cooks kindly asks you not to light a cigarette in the kitchen and you keep doing it, don’t be surprised if people start feeling frustrated — or simply stop liking you — without telling you directly. Not everything here will be addressed through a formal conversation. This is not a corporate-style environment.
  
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  Based on past misunderstandings, here are a few important clarifications:
  • If you see money or tips, please don’t take it upon yourself to judge who should be paid or how much — this is not your responsibility. We have a system in place that makes it easy for us to notice if money is missing. However, we usually don’t talk about it openly. If money does go missing, we don’t point fingers but we do take consequences seriously in a different way.
  • If you see alcohol, do not assume you can make drinks or help yourself. If we offer you a beer — great. If you’ve worked hard all day in the sun and ask for one — no problem. But please understand: alcohol is not part of this Workaway, even for long-term volunteers, even if it seems accessible.
  • If you decide on your own to bake a cake or prepare something outside the agreed tasks, that does not count as work time.
  • And please — don’t bring us puppies or kittens you’ve found along the way. We love animals, but this has happened too many times and it’s not okay. Especially because the rest of your stay often ends up revolving around stressful conversations about what to do with the animal — and it pulls us into solving the situation.
  
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  Sometimes we cook in the kitchen — either for our family or for guests with specific preferences. As our working hours vary and people are constantly coming and going, we try to give our children a sense of stability. That’s why we often share meals only with them or with close friends who visit.
  
  Sometimes this is the only moment we have to speak our native language or enjoy a bit of privacy. Please don’t take it personally if you’re not invited to join the meal. It’s not about you — it’s simply about us trying to keep balance in our family life.
  
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  💡 About value and mindset
  
  We’ve noticed that sometimes volunteers feel like they’re “working for free.” That perception can make simple tasks feel frustrating or unfair. Please remember that this is not unpaid work. You are compensated — not with money, but with full accommodation and food.
  
  Just the cost of hosting you — including your bed in our hostel and the food products (not even including the time spent cooking) — amounts to at least 1000-1500 GEL per month . So yes — your work is being paid for, just in a different form.
  
  If you feel like you’re here just “helping us run our business for free,” then we’re not on the same page — and it might be better to step away before frustrations grow.
  
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  Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you feel aligned with these values, we’ll likely have a great time working together.
  
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  ❄️ Winter Volunteers: Please Read
  
  Winters in Udabno can be harsh. During that period, you will most likely not stay with us (Kinga and Ksawery – the owners), as we usually spend the holidays in Poland. This means you would be here maybe alone.
  
  You should know how to start a fire in the fireplace and feel comfortable being independent, confident, and emotionally resilient. Sometimes, unexpected issues like power or water outages may occur. In such cases, we expect you to contact us or ask the neighbours for help — not simply pack up and escape Udabno ;)
  
  That said, it’s also possible that none of these things will happen — and you’ll just have a peaceful, quiet time enjoying the semi-desert life with not much work to do. But we do need to make sure that you’re the kind of person who’s not afraid of a little challenge :)
  
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  After two weeks of your stay, we’ll sit down together and talk about whether we’d both like to continue.
  This is not a judgment of your character, your work ethic, or whether we “liked” you. It’s simply about whether the collaboration feels right for both sides.
  
  This honest check-in helps prevent future frustration or misunderstandings — for you and for us.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Teaching

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Babysitting and creative play

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You'd live in a small village of Udabno with around 200 displaced inhabitants (originally coming from Svanetia) who even have their own language. At times it may not be easy but you'll definitely have a genuine cultural experience.

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  Projects involving children

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

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  Help

  You'd help with:
  - welcoming guests (very few during winter time),
  - cleaning the tables and putting clean plates on the table with cutlery
  - cleaning the floor each morning
  - cleaning the toilets
  - chopping the wood and putting it into hearth,
  - cleaning if there are some guests staying for night,
  - cleaning empty dishes (not always),
  - chatting with guests :)

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Polish: Fluent
  Russian: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate

  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.
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  Accommodation

  We offer:
  - free food and accommodation in our hostel,
  - a great experience and a friendly atmosphere, if there is a click between us!
  - experiencing real Svan culture and food in a Kakhetian desert
  - an opportunity to meet wonderful people from all around the world,
  - occasionally local polyphonic concerts,
  - lots of laughs !

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  What else ...

  Udabno is a small village, located in the middle of nowhere, just a few kilometres from UNESCO David Gareji Monastery. A very special place, one in its kind.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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