Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
15 Apr 2024
Reply rate
83.3 %
Usually responds within 31 days
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Details
Description
In the night from July 14 to 15, 2021, a devastating flood hit large areas of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia after extreme storms. Within a few hours, the water of many rivers and streams rose. In some areas, the water even reached a level of an incredible 7 to 8 meters - almost five meters above the worst flood to date in 2016.
We have been providing disaster relief in the affected areas since July 31, 2021. Our work so far has focused on gutting buildings: equipped with caulking hammers, cable drums, generators, shovels and wheelbarrows, we tackle the wet buildings. We pry plaster from the walls and screed from the floor. We gut bathrooms and tear down ceilings. We help with urgently needed work and offer unbureaucratic and fast volunteer help to those affected.
A lot has happened over the past year: Starting with a few volunteers from a camping community, the organization grew into a professional organization, coordinating up to a 100 people on various construction sites and helping over 340 households.
We are a young team with one common goal: Helping people affected by the flood save their houses, give hope and make sure the people and their fatefulness are not being forgotten. Our motto: Das WIR zählt! (the community counts)
We provide you with everything you need: a place to sleep, three meals a day, work clothes and safety equipment.
Our daily routine is as follows:
The kitchen starts at ca. 7.30 am, we all have breakfast together at 8 am, at 8.45 am we have a short update, talking about the work that will be done during the day. Afterwards, everyone can grab their safety equipment and work clothes and then we'll drive you to the site. You start work there at about 10 am till about 4 pm, with a lunch break around 1.30 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: We will be on a winter break from December 21st 2023, till February 2nd 2023 and the camp will be closed.
You will also not be able to contact us till January 26. From January 26 we will be back in the office and available via, email, phone, social media,...
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are all connected by a common goal - help the people who have suffered from the flooding and suffered unimaginable loss. This makes it a very special community and atmosphere. People who come here for the first time come as strangers and leave as friends.
You have the chance to make an actual difference here and see the fruits of your labor every day.
On top of that, you will meet a bunch of really cool people from all over Germany and all trades.
Help
Everyone can help, there is various work that needs to be done, so everyone can find something they're good at and love doing. From gutting buildings (which entails numerous tasks itself) to cleaning nature to help around the camp (cooking, cleaning, maintenance, etc.).
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We offer different types of accommodation for our volunteers. We have caravans (usually with two to three beds & heating), rooftops tents (the kind you can put on top of your car, don't worry, you won't need a car to use them, they're already installed at the site, no heating) as well as a communal tent with 10 camp beds (no heating).
What else ...
We work at the construction site 5 days a week, Tuesday and Wednesday are our days off. On these days you can enjoy the wonderful nature in this area, go on hikes, use one of the two nearby saunas, explore the wine region and much more.
Unfortunately, the public transport isn't the best, as a lot of it has been destroyed by the flood. However, there are some substitutes available.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
We have lots of space, so you can come and stay in your own van, caravan, etc. You can also use electricity, if you like.
Can possibly accept pets
You can bring your pet, however, you are not able to take it to the construction site. It's way too loud, too crowded and dangerous for pets. Also you won't have time to look after them. We can also not provide a sitter for your pet during the day, when you are away. You have to make sure your pet can stay in your car by itself. There are no pets allowed in the accommodation we provide.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
