Help me with eco gardening and Montessori school project near Bladzim, Poland

Details

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  Description

  From 25.05 until 14.09 I need help me with eco gardening and Montessori school project
  
  I'm a Polish born South African with a 3000m2 land in Poland (Bory Tucholskie area). The plot (with a summer house) is beautifully situated, with lakes, rivers and forests which can be reached on foot or/and bicycle. The area is ideal for canoeing and swimming in summer. I am a professional translator and writer, as well as a Montessori teacher.
  
  There is an ongoing climate emergency that is getting worse. I believe that we have to act now, in order to prevent further soil degradation due to unsound farming practice, as well as to protect the remaining wilderness areas.
  My objectives:
  For the past 2 summers I've traveled across Europe, (incl Germany, Italy) gathering experience and observing attempts at self-sufficiency, organic and Permaculture farming. I benefitted especially from working as a volunteer for 3 weeks in the Italian Alps herding goats :) and helping to make cheese. I would like to use that and many other experiences to set up a minimal domestic animal 'farm' (a few free range chickens for eggs and a goat). I've been a vegetarian for many years, so I don't need any meat. On my land there is a summer house which I plan to convert to all-year by adding insulation and a wood stove. I also let a local farmer keep his beehives on my plot, in exchange for honey. I plan to set up a vegetable and flower garden this year. There is also an existing apple orchard, which needs a lot of care. Since I am a city person, I'd need someone with at least some experience in small scale organic or Permaculture gardening. I would like to get some pet animals as well, maybe 2 cats and a dog from a local animal shelter. I am a cycling commuter and practice yoga daily, mainly as a way to alleviate pain in my shoulder (due to a car accident years ago). I speak English and Polish fluently, also German which I learnt as a child. English language teaching is also one of the projects I would like to get involved in. I would describe my English competence as being at a level of 'native speaker' :) but I wouldn't mind if an actual native speaker would be prepared to join me. I am also interested in Italian language and culture :), trying to learn Italian via Duolingo :))) and I will welcome any volunteers from Italy for some conversation practice, while we ride our bikes to the local shop or for a swim in the lake! The accommodation I can offer is pretty 'basic', but there is internet access via your own data, electricity (mains), running water (hot & cold) in the house. There are 2 bedrooms upstairs and a big lounge with additional sleeper couch downstairs, plus a bathroom. I can accommodate 2 volunteers in the house and also 2 more in tents in the big garden outside. My land is located just outside the village of Bladzim (see link). Bladzim railway station is located 20 minutes away on foot (a pleasant walk through the forest). Bladzim is located approx 30 minutes by train from Bydgoszcz, the closest large city. The railway connection is by Arriva RP and is very regular and reliable.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The surrounding outdoor areas of Bory Tucholskie are especially worth visiting, if you are a keen swimmer, cyclist or enjoy canoeing, but there are also many places of historic interest such as Chełmno (with a Tutonic fort), Toruń (birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus), and Gdańsk on the Baltic coast. One can also experience a wealth of Kashubian cultural traditions and cuisine in many small villages in the area, which every summer host a variety of summer festivals. ,

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  Help

  help with eco-gardening; fruit trees; general maintenance and building (woodwork) - to reconstruct the wooden balustrade on the verandah; language teaching (English); setting up a 'chicken coop' (free-range) and possibly baby goat care; help with pet care.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Polish: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  I studied languages and have a postgraduate degree in Translation Studies.
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  Accommodation

  The accommodation I can offer is pretty 'basic', but there is internet access via your own data, electricity (mains), running water (hot & cold) in the house. There are 2 bedrooms upstairs and a big lounge with additional sleeper couch downstairs, plus a bathroom with a bath and hand shower. I can accommodate 2 volunteers in the house and also 2 more in tents in the big garden outside. Cooking is done on a gas stove. I am a vegetarian, but omnivores are welcome too! (they will have to buy their own meat :))

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  What else ...

  Bladzim railway station is located 20 minutes away on foot (a pleasant walk through the forest). Bladzim is located approx 30 minutes by train from Bydgoszcz, the closest large city. The railway connection is by Arriva RP and is very regular and reliable. There is also a bus (bus stop withing walking distance) that will take you to the nearest bigger town (Lniano). In your time off, swimming, cycling, canoeing or just lazying around is recommended.

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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

  I don't have an internet connection but the signal is good enough to use your own data, that's how I work online myself.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Dogs

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 3-4hours a day, 5 days a week but it is flexible