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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
25 Apr 2024
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100.0 %
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Details
Description
Taking new volunteers
We were out of the Country for a few weeks and closed our workaway but now we are back and ready to ramp it back up.
Who:
We are looking for hands on do'ers. People who can transform spaces through creativity or practicality.
We are interested in Artists with a specialized medium such as sculptors, muralists, etc.
We can use architects and engineers of all types for creative, interactive and logical solutions such as helping design escape room style locks, theming areas like our cafes, bathrooms, etc.
Carpenters, builders, metal workers for help make or assemble furniture, sculpting, building tables, we're building a projected axe throwing wall as well.
People who can turn scrap to art (we have tons to work with).
Anyone else who believes they can be helpful.
What:
We are currently renovating a two in one location.
1. Resort style hostel, we are making it over to give it a more fun and easy going jungle vibe. We hope the pool will be ready for it's test run mid May. It's a very cool place to hang around with other people, perfect hostel vibe.
2. Warehouse, that is being renovated in to a food hall and entertainment center. Complete opposite vibe of the hostel area, this place will be industrial, modern art madness, a little weird but awesome. There isn't a wall or space on the floor in this place that doesn't need to be improved artistically.
Where:
We are located in a town called Venecia, Antioquia.
We have a 35 rooms mixed between hostel and hotel that is completely closed to public. Keep in mind it is a renovation site, the majority of the loud work should be finished around May 1 (concrete mixing, breaking, etc)
When:
Currently we are scheduling for Late April to June 1
We will schedule everyone on a 7 day trial period. If things are going smooth, we can talk about extending.
Why:
The why is always interesting. I took over this place not to make profit but to give this town a much needed push in the right direct. It has just begun to grow in to a location of tourism but it lacks a few features, mainly, good food and entertainment. We will have both and this will be a place not just for tourists but for the locals as well. We have a lot of community support from the towns people to the local government and we're really pushing hard to make this happen.
How:
With your help I hope. We need to do something that has never been seen before and I really need the help of people like yourselves. Not just to follow but to lead, I am very interested in anyone who can self start, see a problem, fix a problem. To have ideas and inspirations that someone like myself (unartistically inclined) will never be able to fathom.
We have so many projects but not enough skilled hands to get them moving in the right direction.
Little more about our purpose.
We are highly active in our community as once of the largest employers and donators in the area.
At our main property we have reforested about 10 acres of previously logged jungle with tens of thousands of trees and plants. We are developing a retreat to help people who have experienced various traumas such as PTSD. In the future we will use our properties to host free kids camps for the community. We work with the local schools to help provide food and much needed renovations and equipment. It is possible that during your stay here, you will be asked if you would like to participate in these activities.
A bit about us:
Shane: Half crippled US Army Veteran. I've been blown up and pieced back together multiple times, somehow still going like a beat up and tired energizer bunny with borderline dementia. I am the owner and organizer, I move quick, talk quick and am generally busy almost the time. I like to BS around and I have a very dry and dark sense of humor, almost nothing is off limits but it's all in good fun.
Ausra: The artistic one. I am from Lithuania and have a masters in fashion and was a competitive rower. I hope to meet some other artistic types who can help me bring spaces to life. I enjoy making rugs and exercise, I am very interested in learning more about human energy and connections.
Felipe: The Golden Retriever. Overly happy and food motivated. I am Canadian/Colombian, I am the local coordinator for paid workers. My job is to keep them on track and make sure all jobs are done efficiently. I also occasionally work with Volunteer needs. I work for the Red Cross when in Canada and am currently here on a journey to find myself and be a better person.
We provide breakfast. Rooms will be private.
We've been told time and time again we have one of the best workaways. Last round we had 29 volunteers and it was pretty fun and insane, this round we will only have <10 workawayers, we are moving at a very fast space so we will be a bit selective as we want to be sure we bring in people who will all vibe together and work at a good pace.
We currently have about 10 paid workers on site, you likely will not work directly with them as they are contractors.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Our mother property is on an eco/archeological site, a short hike from the worlds largest natural formed pyramid, a sacrificial alter, waterfalls, nature trails, etc.
Our newest property is located about a 2 minute walk from the center of town.
We guarantee you will leave here feeling satisfied with your experience or your money back. It will be fun and we hope it will open your eyes to new possibilities!
Help
***Things that must be said***
Be cool man, we've had our issues with people coming and trashing the place, not doing what they came for, etc. Please don't be that person.
Be a self starter, not someone who needs constant attention as we are very busy and don't have much time to work one on one with each person.
Be a diligent volunteer, think (if I lived here or if this was my place, what would I expect) and we will do the same.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Lithuanian: Fluent
Russian: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
We have a language exchange 1-2x a week in town
Accommodation
Private as well as shared rooms with private bathrooms. We're taking over the whole hostel.
The accommodations:
We are 1hr (sometimes more) outside of Medellin, Colombia. The weather here is spring time year round and it seems that as of right now (April 21) the season seems to be changing to wet season.
The town the property is located in is called Venecia, it is the gateway to Antioquia and centralized between 4 major areas. It is a small town that has a growing tourist industry.
Our accommodations include
-34 room hotel
What else ...
What to do at the working/living location:
We have a pool, sauna, lounge area, bar, restaurant, probably missing some other things. It's a great spot to be.
At our mother property about 10 min away:
We have nature trails, swimming holes, pools, giant swings and hikes on site.
There are archeological sites within walking distance and our property is located on one of them.
We have a private gym in town that is free to use with cable machines, free weights, ropes and everything else you could possibly need in a small bodega located in the center of town. Limited on cardio equipment, we prefer to be outside for that. There are a bunch of hiking spots located around the area from on site hikes from the mirador to the cascades that range from easy to extremely difficult. In the area there are waterfall swimming holes, places to walk, run, swim, etc.
The town is up and coming, in the few years we've been here we have watched it transform from a small country town to a clean weekend getaway with dining and salsa in the park. There a hipster style coffee shop in town, bakeries and many smaller cafes, bars, restaurants, gellato, etc. The square is always bustling with people hanging around and just enjoying each other's company but there are no movie theatres or shopping malls, etc. This is a town that values in person conversations, community relations and simple pleasures but also parties hard on weekends/holidays as is the Colombian culture.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have high speed internet on site.
Space for parking camper vans
We have a few nice size parking lots, perfect for camping.
Can possibly accept pets
So long as your pet is well trained and not a furry terrorist, we can make it work.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
15 hours a week (3 hours, 5 days)
Feedback (14)
Sometimes you meet people and you know you're just going to hit it off. These two set the bar so high for future workawayers we had to shut down for a few weeks to regroup (that and we had to travel for a bit). But seriously, absolute legends and I hope, lifetime friends. We'll see you guys on the other side of the ocean!
There were more than 20 volunteers when we arrived, along with an additional group of construction workers. Everyone was free to do what they do best and was… read more
Hope you're enjoying your adventures!
Until the next rap battle, stay cool
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Sometimes you meet people and you know you're just going to hit it off. These two set the bar so high for future workawayers we had to shut down for a few weeks to regroup (that and we had to travel for a bit). But seriously, absolute legends and I hope, lifetime friends. We'll see you guys on the other side of the ocean!
There were more than 20 volunteers when we arrived, along with an additional group of construction workers. Everyone was free to do what they do best and was… read more
Hope you're enjoying your adventures!
Until the next rap battle, stay cool
'Matt' gives 100% in everything he does, whether it's working or having fun, absolute legend.
Great guy to be around, always making people laugh and feel welcome, was our first volunteer for this new project and it was sad to see him go but he's young and there's a big world to explore, safe travels my friend.
P.S: Tôi đã có mũ của bạn, kẻ ngốc!
Hope to see you around again kiddo!
Super hard working, sun up until sun down (literally) and if you ask him to take a break, he'll just smirk and keep on working.
Out of all the people we've had come through here, I don't think anyone was a universally respected as Mr. Steve.
We had so much fun and we are sure this place will be a paradise in the future🥰.
He lights up a room with honestly the most infectious smile I've ever seen and a relentless energy to do ANYTHING.
Gonna miss you Guy, please come back!
Great time smashing down walls during my volunteering.
They are a super caring and kind couple and have a really awesome place in Venecia.
I spent time exploring the jungle with some of their local workers picking fruit and learning about the biodiversity.
They have excellent facilities and the food won't… read more
Stunning Project
Coolest Co-Volunteers
The hosts here genuinely care about their volunteers and add a bunch of good humor everywhere. Head and heart; different league. Ask them for their lifestories, they leave most movies in the shade. I am soo happy to know them now. Idols, especially in dreaming big.
If you have a spirit of work… read more
She was a great addition and really lit the place up. Routinely up and working before anyone else and always looking for things to do. A rare self motivator, the kind of Volunteer everyone hopes for.
Please come back any time, we already miss you!
Hope to see you again!
Wish you guys the best on your travels and we'd love to have you back again any time in the future.
I recently had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at an eco resort in Colombia, and I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the experience. Not only was the resort itself a hidden gem nestled in the heart of nature, but the owners and staff went above and beyond to ensure a… read more
Thanks… read more
He keeps to a schedule and doesn't let anything get between it, very well organized and skilled with carpentry. He built our woodshop mostly singlehandedly and designed it completely without oversight and no one could have done it any better. Hope to see you again bud, was a pleasure hosting you.
My experience with workaway has been hit and miss, had some good folks but had a lot of people who just came to party, break things and trash the place. These two showed up when I had all but given up on workawayers and blew my mind.
They were considerate, hard working, highly skilled and just over all… read more
Just her presence lights up the room. She's not afraid to get her hands dirty and was always motivated to do something or find something to do, a true self starter. Wish you could have stayed longer, you're always welcome back as it was a true pleasure having you with us.
Best wishes on your many future adventures! :)
