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Description
Welcome to our off-grid mountain sanctuary! Nestled in the wild, energetically charging Balkan Mountains near the village of Zhelen, Bulgaria, our home is a peaceful haven for nature lovers, conscious living enthusiasts, and anyone seeking deep personal growth. We have traveled and volunteered extensively ourselves, so we know exactly how it feels to be a newcomer in a foreign land—we are fully committed to making you feel appreciated, safe, and right at home. ▬▬ WHO YOU'LL BE STAYING WITH: We are a warm, active, and multicultural family of four: Stefan (Bulgarian), a certified massage therapist and a Somatic Experiencing practitioner in training; Nashielli (Mexican), an expressive, warm soul currently training in Waldorf pedagogy; our playful 3.5-year-old daughter; and our sweet 6-month-old baby boy. Because of our backgrounds, our home is a rich blend of cultures where we speak English, Spanish, and Bulgarian interchangeably. We share our space with our two mid-sized backyard dogs: Nosht, who is incredibly calm and friendly, and Aya, our vigilant protector against wolves and wild boars at night (she stays on a leash during the day when strangers arrive but gets very cuddly once she knows you are welcomed!). We are also working toward welcoming two goats and a few chickens to our homestead this year. ▬▬ WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE: If you want to slow down, disconnect from the fast-paced modern world, and sync up with nature’s rhythms, you will fall in love with this location. Our house sits directly adjacent to an ancient oak and acacia forest, and a beautiful 10-minute hike takes you to a crystal-clear mountain creek hidden beneath a canopy of beech trees. The local wildlife is a constant companion—it is very common to see wild deer, rabbits, and an amazing variety of birds and butterflies right outside your window. Beyond our property, we are deeply integrated into a pioneering, neighboring international eco-project. This means you get the peace of a remote sanctuary combined with the vibrant social life of an intentional community filled with young, open-minded volunteers from all over Europe (currently including France, Norway, Germany, and Poland).
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Interests
Vegetarian or vegan
Self development
Sustainability
Pets
Farming
Photography
Drawing & painting
Cooking & food
Books
Art & design
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Dancing
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
By living with us and interacting with the community, you will be immersed in a truly holistic learning environment. ► Healing & Self-Development: To support your personal growth journey, Stefan can offer you professional online therapy sessions (Somatic Experiencing) as well as regular, deeply relaxing therapeutic massages. // ► Waldorf Pedagogy & Mindful Arts: Nashielli is always happy to share her theoretical and practical knowledge of Waldorf education, including teaching you techniques like wool felting, knitting, drawing, and painting. // ► Community Rituals & Social Activities: You are warmly invited to join our regular community gatherings around the fire, ecstatic dancing, morning yoga exercises, and community support circles. // ► Permaculture & Eco-Building: Through the project, you can get hands-on experience with permaculture design, organic gardening, and eco-building using natural materials. They also care for two horses, Pepi and Rada, offering a wonderful opportunity to learn horse riding and equine connection.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Our primary need is warm, playful, and engaged help with our two young children. Because we live an adventurous, remote lifestyle, we are looking for a teammate who is excited to become a temporary part of our family dynamic and join in our daily rhythms. You will never be left alone with overwhelming responsibilities; we are a highly collaborative household, and we will always be working right alongside you. ▬▬ WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING: ► Mindful Childcare: Your main focus will be spending quality time playing games outside with our toddler, exploring the forest, or looking after our baby. No professional childcare experience is strictly necessary, but an easy-going, playful spirit is a must. // ► The Parent Cooperative (2 Days a Week): We are starting a small, informal parent cooperative twice a week on our property. On these days, a few neighborhood children and parents will join us for group activities. You will assist us in facilitating outdoor games, storytelling, and group fun (and if you have childcare experience, you are welcome to lead activities!). // ► Animal Care (Optional): If you are inspired by homesteading, you are more than welcome to help us care for our upcoming chickens and goats. // ► Shared Daily Rhythms: We love to cook together. We take turns preparing food every day, but if you aren't confident in your kitchen skills, don't worry—we’ve got it covered!
Languages spoken
Bulgarian: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Accommodation
We live a genuinely remote lifestyle—we are located 30 minutes away from the nearest city via a rough dirt road that is only accessible by foot, horse, or our off-road Jeep (there are no shops nearby!). Because we share our off-grid spaces mindfully, we offer clean, secure accommodations and have structured our daily routines to guarantee you plenty of privacy. ▬▬ SEASONAL SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS: ► Colder Months (Our Brand-New Building): You will sleep in a large, clean, and beautifully warm separate building right next to the main house. You’ll have a comfortable mattress placed on the wooden floor with all the necessary warm bedding, surrounded by big windows boasting the best views of the mountains. Because this space doubles as our family living room/office during specific daytime hours, we offer guaranteed, undisturbed privacy hours: Nighttime Privacy is completely yours from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and Afternoon Privacy is completely yours from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (perfect for resting, reading, or working online). Outside of these hours, the family uses the space for work and daily life. // ► Warmer Months (July & August - Backyard Family Tent): In the peak of summer, we plan to renovate the separate living room to install a kitchen. During this time, you will transition to a fantastic "glamping" style setup in our backyard. You will stay in a brand-new, incredibly spacious 4-person family tent that features two separate bedrooms divided by a central corridor. It sits within 50 meters of the main house. We will move your mattress and bedding inside, run electricity directly to your tent, and can even set up a dedicated running water hose nearby. ▬▬ SHARED AMENITIES: No matter the season, you have full access to our indoor/outdoor shower setup with plenty of hot water, our main kitchen for meals and cooking together, and a clean outdoor compost toilet system that aligns perfectly with our eco-friendly, off-grid values. ▬▬ HOW FOOD WORKS: We provide all your meals, and eating together is a big part of our connection! We follow a strict whole-foods, healthy vegetarian diet prepared entirely without oil or fat. *** IMPORTANT KITCHEN NOTE: Because we maintain a strictly meat-free home, we do not provide meat, nor do we allow meat to be brought into or cooked inside our house. You must be a vegetarian or completely happy embracing our clean, health-conscious dietary style during your stay.
What else ...
OUR IDEAL MATCH (FIT & REQUIREMENTS): Please read these carefully to ensure we are the right match for you: ► Extroverted & Communicative: This is highly important! Nashielli deeply values warm, lively conversation and loves connecting with people. If you are highly introverted, need a lot of solitary quiet time, or prefer to keep to yourself, our expressive family dynamic might not feel comfortable for you. // ► Physically Fit for Mountain Terrain: Our region features steep valleys and rugged hills. You must be physically mobile and entirely comfortable hiking up and down steep slopes on a daily basis. // ► Strictly Substance-Free: We maintain a completely clean environment and have a zero-tolerance policy for cigarettes, marijuana, alcohol, or any drugs of this kind.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have stable Starlink internet
Can possibly accept pets
The dogs need to be not that territorial and to stay outdoors.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Nosht
Aya
Photos
