Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
10 Mar 2024
Reply rate
62.8 %
Usually responds within 21 days
Feedback
28
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Details
Description
Hi, I'm Ximena and I live in the small town of Aiquile where I run a small organic farm and local cultural center. The project has been ongoing since we moved here after my retirement – I worked for a long time in the field of human rights, focusing on the rights of women and children – when we decided to seek an active life in the countryside working on a sustainable project.
The help we usually need varies from working with the fruit trees and garden, harvesting fruit, DIY and construction projects, helping around the house, playing with and walking the dogs, or helping with the hens and general maintenance. We are constantly working on new projects and making additions to the house, so ideas and help with work towards our goal of building a permaculture garden, woodwork and construction projects, support with art exhibitions and workshops, and help with artistic projects are always welcome.
As we are working on our cultural project and its development, we may also need help when small exhibitions of local art or musical performances take place.Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsHelp with Eco ProjectsTeachingGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareCreating/ Cooking family mealsGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
In the nearby town of Alquile, can be found living expressions of indigenous culture. The city has been awarded the title of national capital of the charango, one of the most characteristic instruments in bolivian music.
The volunteers can expect a varied program that will lead them to discover national as well as local culture.Help
At present, the orchard consists of fruit trees, mainly cherimoya, guayaba, citrus, figs and ornamental plants, such as cactus and flowers. The maintenance is already done following the principles of permaculture, bringing organic matter to nourish the soil. We seek help mainly to mantein it that way , nourishing, watering the trees and plants, harvesting fruits or pruning (depending on the season).
In the near future, help with the development of a genuine vegetable garden, aiming at a better food autonomy, will be needed.
Raising awareness of Art goes hand in hand with nature conservation and the promotion of biodiversity. Moreover, since we moved into the place, every addition to the original structures has been done with local, renewable and/or recycled materials. Ideas or help with projects concerning this are always welcome.
Basic carpentry skills might be useful. We are also starting to think and design a pottery workshop and could use some construction experience.Languages
Languages spoken
Spanish: Fluent
English: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I've been trying to learn english for the past couple of years but still have a long way to go. I would love to learn more and get to practice with native speakers. I'm also willing to teach or help out with your spanish, writing or speaking.Accommodation
We have an independent space with two bedrooms, a kitchen equipped with all the utensils to cook (we provide food and grocery’s for you to make your breakfast and lunch, some days it is prepared in the main house kitchen). Bathroom with hot shower, a living room and Wifi service. Regarding food we try to offer the varied local production and to prepare the typical dishes of the country, as well as to enjoy the novelties that the workaways want to prepare.
What else ...
The town is pretty accesible with easy road access, buses from Santa Cruz, Sucre and Cochabamba depart in many schedules from 6 am till 8 pm. Also there are other buses departing from aiquile to near towns such as Mizque or Totora.
Hikes to places in the rural area near Aiquile: La Caseta (2 km), El Salto (5 km), the tricentenary tree (36km) and also to the Mirador (1 km). Walks to places of tourist interest in the town, such as the Charango Museum or the Catholic Cathedral (rebuilt after the 1997 earthquake). Indigenous communities and rural families can be visited in Agua Blanca, Ch'aqui Mayu or Quewiñal, as well as nearby towns (Mizque, Omereque or Pasorapa) which can be reached by public transportation. (We are planning to have a ceramic workshop soon )A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a decent wifi conection, especially on the main house available 24/7
Space for parking camper vans
I have enough space for a pickup truck or van.
Can possibly accept pets
Domestic animals such as dogs, cats, etc.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (17)
Ximena es una señora súper amable y sabia, trabajamos en su bonito jardín, las tareas no son muy… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
Ximena es una señora súper amable y sabia, trabajamos en su bonito jardín, las tareas no son muy… read more
muchas gracias!
Te deseo flexibilidad para poder avanzar con tus proyectos y muchos éxitos 💖
Hasta la victoria y los próximos alfajores, siempre 😅
The individual accommodation was superb and with everything needed for cooking in the morning and evening. We were a bit at home. The lunch meals were excellent.
Ximena showed us the city,… read more
During one week, we helped them painting the outside of the house and… read more
Contigo pasamos días divertidos en los q además de pasarla bien, trabajaste mucho. Una buena combinación de labores domésticas, jardín y artesanía, con música y baile por los festejos del Día Nacional. Muy grata tu disposición por saber todo y entender la cultura boliviana. Te deseo suerte al seguir tu formación académica muy cerca… read more
I had the chance to be there during a painting workshop and it was really great to do. Moreover, the teacher, a friend of her, is also an really kind and inspiring woman.
My work mostly… read more
Ximena arranged such wonderful encounters fur us: she took as to a rural market in a nearby… read more
Fuiste la primera en escribir en mi página de workawayers, hace como 7 meses aproximadamente, y por eso eres muy especial para mi! Más, porque con Lowin hicieron un duro trabajo de deshierbe en la huerta y luego realizaron tareas muy morosas para montar la exposición pictórica (incluso coser manualmente un grueso telón), y… read more
Fuiste una compañía agradable y de gran ayuda el tiempo que estuviste en la casa/huerta/ espacio cultural; te desenvolviste con bastante soltura en todas las tareas: domésticas, de agricultura y de gestiones para la realización del curso de tallado, en el que también te atreviste a participar como estudiante. Me alegra que hayas… read more
I have been able to learn a lot about Bolivian history, culture and tradition and to discover the city of Aiquile and its surrounding. She brought me to see very interesting places on her free time and invited two musicians who played only for us for my last night. That was amazing!… read more
Your presence in the house and orchard was very pleasant. You did not only a good volunteer work, but also enabeled the cultural exchange that makes this place in Aiquile, more than just a work place. Nice to meet through you a little bit of life in Denmark, to have been able to show you a bit of Bolivian culture and make you part of… read more
Staying with Ximena is a perfect example of a mutual cultural exchange as she eagerly listens and asks about traditions and customs of the workawayer, and their country, as well as happily sharing stories and… read more
Me da gusto que te hayas sentido bien, especialmente cuidada, a pesar de tu malestar físico.
Creo que la idea de este espacio es que los voluntarios se sientan cómodos para tener una buena experiencia mientras trabajan y viven aquí .
Fue bonito conocerlos, les deseo mucha… read more
The work was fun, and… read more
Con ustedes un mejor principio no pude tener. Conté con la suerte de que ustedes entendieran lo q yo quiero construir en esta huerta/ pequeño espacio cultural.
Hicieron una enorme y hermosa labor (también fue estética) de permacultura pues los dos son incansables trabajadores! Además compartimos varias de nuestras… read more
The cultural center has been started less than a year ago, bringing arts, crafts and open-mindedness among the indigenous community of Aiquile. The work done in so little time is impressive.
Ximena is now in the process of… read more