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4 Jun 2024
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Description
I am a 56-year old from Scotland, and my wife, 47, is from Argentina. We have two very young children, Gaia (9) and Isaac (8). I am a jack-of-all-trades and have been many things in life, from soldier to TV presenter. I met my love in Ibiza where she had settled temporarily. We were both big travellers before meeting one another and still are, although there's less time for such things now.
For fifteen years now we've been building an eco-lodge in Morocco with our fisherman and farmer neighbours, just 15kms north of Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast.
The Eco-Lodge lies between Azrou Issa and Al Faida, two small fishing and farming communities. Life is hard here and with less and less rain, and fewer fish in the ocean, it's getting harder. Many families have already left the land and gone to live in the town. There are almost 40 small families left, farming approx 100 hectares between them and grazing their goats, sheep and cows in the huge forest behind. The land does not produce enough and the forest is being overgrazed.
We are running a long term project to regenerate the farmland and the forest behind using permaculture, holistically managed grazing, aqua-ponics and any other good ideas. The aim was to build a sustainable and profitable future for them, and us, and in so doing, to learn what works and what doesn't work in such a semi arid landscape before taking this knowledge to other places. To this end we started the UK-based charity, which will exist to support, fund (where necessary) and guide this cooperative, and others after it, towards economic and social sustainability.
The permaculture project is only just beginning and is ‘from scratch’.
We do not need volunteers all year round and sometimes we are looking only for volunteers with specific skills.
We provide food and bed. We do not provide ANY work clothes. Gloves are provided only if the work really needs them for safety reasons (lime, etc).
It can be quite cold if the wind is from the east so bring warm clothes and strong shoes.
The area: The beach is 800m away. Moulay Bouzergtoun, a small village and one of the best windsurfing spots in the world, is 4km away. Essaouira, the nearest town, is 15kms along the beach (3 hrs walk) or an easy 15-minute walk up the hill and 30 min hitch hike along the coast road. It has a beautiful old medina and fishing port. It’s all quite touristy now but there is lots to do and see: music festivals, kite surfing, surfing and windsurfing, horse riding, etc. We buy our food at the fantastic weekend farmers’ market at Had’draa. Marrakech is 200km away.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Teaching
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will be working alongside the local Moroccans and how much cultural exchange you wish will be entirely up to you; they are extremely hospitable.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
WOODWORKING EXPERIENCE WILL BE PARTICULARLY WELCOME. I AM AFRAID I SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THE TIME TO TEACH BASIC WOODWORKING SKILLS.
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Teacher of: English, French, Arabic (Darisha) Contemporary dancers, ballet, Acrobatic, Gymnastics, Guitarist, or Piano, would be very welcome.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Arabic: Beginner
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
French, Darisha
Accommodation
Volunteers will be accommodated in the lodge, or in a mountain tent if we have a retreat for a week or a weekend. Cooking, eating, and relaxing will be in the house. Water is scarce and strictly rationed The well water is good to drink. We are not vegetarian but different diets are not a problem. Volunteers will be expected to help with cooking and general housework.
We provide food, a mattress, pillow, sheets, blankets, and towels.
We don't provide a washing machine , working clothes, gloves, sun cream, or Alcohol.
What else ...
Please be aware that, although we live comfortably, this is not a luxury option! Also that we have a lot to achieve and want to host hard-working and mature people only. You don't have to be super fit but there will some walking involved and over rough terrain. My wife and I are so busy there that we do not go into town unless it is absolutely necessary and therefore in your time off you will be responsible for your own transport, which means walking or bicycling. You are welcome to bring a car but the project vehicle cannot be borrowed.
We have internet.
Although only 15kms north of Essaouira along the beach, the house is quite remote in that it is difficult to reach by normal car. There is a rough vehicle track to the road or a more direct donkey track uphill through the forest. The quickest way to town is to walk up this (a beautiful 15min walk) and then hitch hike. Or it takes 3hrs to walk along the beach to Essaoiura. By vehicle along the track and then the road is 30kms/45 mins.
In your time off you have the beach and the forest to explore, the locals to interact with, and a few cafe's in the village of Moulay Bouzergtoun which is about 4kms away. If you are a good windsurfer this is one of the best places in the world, home of the world famous Boujmaa Guilloul.
Essaouira is a beautiful, old, walled medina with a busy fishing harbour and lots to see and do (windsurfing, kite surfing, horse riding, cultural stuff, etc). It's very touristy now. There's also a fantastic farmers market at Had'dra every weekend that we go to for our food.
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
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
25 hours maximum
Feedback (5)
He is a young man, with a very respectful attitude, handy, very keen to help and learn.
We wish all the best in his projects.
Essaouira
Photos
Feedback
He is a young man, with a very respectful attitude, handy, very keen to help and learn.
We wish all the best in his projects.
Essaouira
We miss them and wish them a beautiful life.
Best, best, best. Ayelen and Family
All the best for them.
Wish the best to him and his girl.
