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Description
POSITION FREE IN OCTOBER
Due to cancellation of a workawayer we have a position available in October ( and maybe longer). We are looking for a mature volunteer who can work independently. There is a team of local volunteers to support you, but you will have to work some days on your own.
Please read the profile carefully:
- the cabin where you will be living is off grid (only solar panels for light), charging of phone and laptop is next door (50 m). The cabin has a gas stove to cook diner, a fire place, and a fridge next door. Most workawayers find this super chill, some prefer luxury. We cannot accommodate the latter.
- we are not looking for volunteers who want to settle in The Netherlands and use us as a free place to stay. We cannot help you asking for citizenship.
- we will organize a skype or Teams meeting before coming, just to be sure that we are the right combination
- please make sure you read the complete profile!!
But.... if you like donkeys, farm work, putting your shoulders under a project, meeting other people, than this is the right place to be. We had people from all over the world and made many new friends.
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Can you take care of 12 donkeys?
Hi, my name is Brigitte and I am the proud owner of the first donkey therapy farm in The Netherlands. I developed several donkey assisted activities, like mindfulness with donkeys and I am very keen of doing research in that area. So I decided to take a sabbatical to work on my PhD thesis in which I study the effects of donkey assisted therapy for people who suffer from burn out syndrome. Very interesting!
My donkeys are friendly animals, interested in people and they love attention. I am looking for real animal lovers as you will understand.
I have two sons of 23 years old (twins), who study in Maastricht and are always available for help. My daughter lives in Curacao, in the Caribbean. My sons also have a lot of local information, and love to share this with you. Animal love is the most important competence you need, but talent in DIY is also very important! !
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The farm is 15 minutes bike ride to the center of Maastricht and the university. The city of Maastricht is full of life and you would be able to meet students from all over the world. Maastricht is a very international university town. Maybe you like to combine your stay with a short term education at the university. The region of South Limburg is the most beautiful region of The Netherlands, since we have the extensions of the Ardennes that you will find at 20 km. The donkey farm is at 10 minutes walk from the Savelsbos, a small and quiet forest with beautiful pick nick spots.
Covid 19 and Corona are slowly decreasing so the community is opening up again. Still make sure that you follow the rules. We prefer fully vaccinated volunteers.
Help
In 2022 we continue with he renovation of the cabin, maintenance of the fences, preparing the vegetable garden, and lots of DIY work. Also taking care of 12 donkeys and their life environment at the farm.
You will be working together with a local team of volunteers. They take care of the donkeys mostly, but you will also be scheduled in that routine. The work includes feeding, muck removal, brushing, hoof cleaning, and keeping the place tidy. But also maintenance of the vegetable garden, painting, and other maintenance works go on..
And... donkeys LOVE human attention! Take your chance to enjoy that
Minimum stay 1 month.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Italian: Beginner
Accommodation
Couples will sleep in the cabin at the farm, a complete small house of 45 m2. There is a kitchen, a small toilet/shower, and a living room where you can sleep and live. It's a nature house, we use a solar panel for lights, and a wood stove to warm the house. It's a very cosy type tiny house. Please note that there is no electricity, so no fridge / no washing machine in the house. But the Aldi supermarket is just at 3 minutes bike ride. There is a cheap laundry shop nearby. When I am still in The Netherlands I will take your laundry.
There is running cold water and a stove to heat water and cook your meal. In the shower there is hot water. The bus is 100m from the farm and brings you in 15 minutes to the center of Maastricht. I will provide groceries, you will cook together with other workawayers. The cabin is for common use of the workawayers.
There is wifi, and at the battery you can reload your telephone.
Visitors to stay over are not allowed.
A terras of 100 m2 is attached to the house, where you can enjoy the sun and the friendly companionship of the donkeys. My sons study in Maastricht, and are available when you encounter some problems.
What else ...
Your work will take about 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week spread over 7 days a week. We make schedules to cover the whole week. Daily routine is from 9 - 13 and a final feeding of the donkeys in the late afternoon. You have two days off. Couples/friends cannot always take the same days off, sorry, there always need to be caretakers for the donkeys.
And if you like the countryside ... it's just a minute walk away. Take your time to visit the Savelsbos, Liège, french speaking Belgium is just 20 km away. Aachen, Germany is 30 km away. You are at a so called three countries point. Everything reachable by bus.
I, myself, am very fond of the country side. I love to walk with my dog in the forest, sometimes without even meeting one other person.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have an antenna for internet access, although I am not sure if this is enough for videos etcetera.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
My dog will be on the farm now and than, so you're pet should feel comfortable with a dog.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
