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Last replied
2 Apr 2024
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Description
Learning to build a cob home over a month period, can be one of the most life empowering skills one can obtain.
Every Monday morning will commence with a few hours discussing various elements of cob building. From the foundation to the roof. Straw bales and rock masonry and sustainable energy will also be discussed. This means Mondays are full day as we still have to do volunteer building too.
This volunteer opportunity will take place in the Lynedoch eco village which is next to the Sustainability Institute of South Africa. The Eco Village commenced as an experimental project for the Sustainability Institute (part of the University).
The day runs as follows:
• Half an hour meditation / quiet time. This helps to build the team’s spirit.
• Half an hour yoga / pilates / exercises. If for some reason you cannot participate in some of these exercises, you can do your own exercises on the side. This volunteer opportunity is rather physical and the exercises are to keep our bodies strong for the day’s job.
• Five hours of practical building / discussions on building.
On Thursday afternoons an introduction course will be given on various life tools that include organic farming, sprouting & fermentation, medicinal plants, foraging, and making your own chemical free soaps, cleaning materials and cosmetics. Generally this will take an hour and is only meant to introduce you to the various aspect discussed.
This opportunity is suitable for both males and females (I am a woman). Though it is rather hard work, it is not impossibly hard construction work, and even a child can build a cob home. It is a bit like playing with clay.
Though I will be involved in the process, especially from a training perspective, I am also a journalist and am currently filming a documentary and writing a book. Hence it is important that you are self-motivated and can continue on your own. Some initiative and diligence are required.
The train station is walking distance from the village. It connects one to all major areas in Cape Town so you can get to tourist attractions and the beach over weekends. Volunteers will only need to be available for one weekend during the month to help with courses that we run over the weekend. This will be full day. In turn you will have off on the Monday. The other four weekends you can explore the beautiful Capelands and in Stellenbosch specifically the wine farms, cultural activities, hiking trails and various other places.
Currently I can only accommodate a limited amount of volunteers. If you feel this opportunity is suitable for you, kindly contact me with a summarised version of your CV and a motivational letter on why you feel this is the right opportunity for you.
Volunteers trade their time for the opportunity to learn the skills of cob building. You will be able to build your own home after this course. Also having exposure to the Thursday introduction course and the Sustainability Institute is rather special. Furthermore you will be exposed to a diversity of South African cultures of people living in the village. You will live in beautiful Stellenbosch with a vineyard surrounding you. And of cause accommodation and food is included. This is a great opportunity! Though we are working on extending this opportunity to include as many interested youngsters as possible, logistically we can currently unfortunately only accomodate 3 volunteers (unless you have your own accommodation in the area).
Types of help and learning opportunities
DIY and building projects
Help with Eco Projects
Art Projects
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will automatically experience a cultureal exhange as the eco village embrace diveristy and all the different South African cultures in South Africa are added in the village. Furthermore the village is part of the Sustainability Institute's initiatives and therefore part of the University. Travelling from the village by train is easy. The village is surrounded by a vinayard, and you are in the centre of the Stellenbosch wine route. You will have the added advantage of learning about sustainable living as well as building a home in a sustainable way.
Help
Cob building, constructions, Artistic skill can be an advantage but are not required, hard working and diligent, team worker, keen learner.
Languages spoken
Afrikaans: Fluent
English: Fluent
German: Beginner
Accommodation
Sharing dorms. The accomodation is rather basic. The food will be healthy and various dieet types can be incorporated, whether vegan, gluten free or diabetic. Just let us know and we will see how we can help. In some cases the food will be supplied to you for self preparation - I find some people also prefer this.
What else ...
The train station is walking distance from the village. It connects one to all major areas in Cape Town so you can get to tourist attractions and the beach over weekends. Volunteers will only need to be available for one weekend during the month to help with courses that we run over the weekend. This will be full day. In turn you will have off on the Monday. The other four weekends you can explore the beautiful Capelands and in Stellenbosch specifically the wine farms, cultural activities, hiking trails and various other places.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
