Help co-create an artisans hub and turn recycled materials into art in Little Bay, Montserrat

Details

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  Description

  Our Vision:
  At the Clubhouse, we are dedicated to transforming waste into creativity by upcycling and recycling materials into beautiful art, decor, garden art, and furniture. Our goal is to inspire the community and local businesses to rethink how they manage waste and by-products through sustainable innovation. We also focus on community-led ocean research initiatives that promote environmental stewardship and protect our marine ecosystems.
  
  About Me:
  I am a 44-year-old single mom with a passion for effecting positive change in my community. I love to invent and create, and while my DIY skills are still developing, I believe that together we can achieve great things! I have a deep connection with nature and enjoy meeting like-minded individuals who seek to break free from conventional systems. Our clubhouse serves as a serene environment, surrounded by nature, perfect for inspiration and creativity.
  
  Our Mission:
  We encourage eco-friendly construction, home design, DIY, and art-making on the beautiful island of Montserrat. As Peter Drucker said, "The best way to predict the future is to create it." This initiative is about crafting a sustainable future for our children, rooted in holistic learning, eco-sustainability, and altruism.
  
  Current Challenges:
  Since the COVID-19 pandemic, our non-profit organization has faced significant challenges. We are now finding our footing and are excited to welcome Workaway volunteers again. Your support is crucial in completing our clubhouse—our accommodation for volunteers and a hub for environmental stewardship, community science projects, and ocean research.
  
  Turning Dreams into Reality:
  We envision creating an inspiring space filled with innovative ideas where individuals can grow, create, and heal. Together, we will turn dreams into reality by engaging in various projects that intertwine our artistic endeavors with community-led ocean research. This includes a community-led turtle conservation initiative that utilizes in-water surveys and AI tools for species recognition, alongside environmental stewardship programs involving beach cleanups, upcycling art projects, and promoting sustainable practices.
  
  Volunteer Opportunities:
  We seek volunteers eager to engage in these projects, learn through hands-on experiences, and share the benefits of their newfound knowledge with their communities. This aligns with my philosophy of gift culture, where we give and receive knowledge and skills.
  
  Volunteer Benefits:
  Selected volunteers will receive free lodging and a small stipend for meals at our self-sustainable environment. While the clubhouse is currently akin to wilderness camping, we strive to make it comfortable with amenities like TV and high-speed internet. Volunteers will share responsibilities for daily activities, including cooking and cleaning. Though I am actively involved in the work, I do not live on-site; I enjoy this eco-immersed lifestyle and hope you will too.
  
  Living Conditions:
  
  Our island is tranquil, with limited tourism except during March when our population nearly doubles. The location is a no-smoking, no-alcohol, and no-drugs zone. It is situated in the hub of community activities, sharing a backyard with a neighboring bar and several restaurants nearby, yet it maintains its natural charm and privacy on the beachside. We prioritize organic and natural materials for construction and decor, focusing on locally available resources. The clubhouse, approximately 1,000 sq. ft. in size, can accommodate up to eight people but is ideally suited for up to four volunteers at a time. Together, we will design and create our space, including two queen-size bed frames and two day beds.
  
  Our facilities include one small bathroom with a shower, and our first project will be to build an outdoor shower using local beach stones. We utilize a septic tank system, and grey water is recycled for plants. While we currently have electricity, we aspire to transition to solar energy in the future.
  
  Volunteers will have access to kitchen utensils and will help design an inspirational kitchen aligned with our eco-friendly concept. The kitchen is equipped with gas cooking facilities, and a small food stipend will be provided for fruits and vegetables. You will also have access to a banana walk and backyard garden in the village, a 20-minute drive or bus ride away, allowing you to enjoy fresh, organically grown bananas during the summer harvest.
  
  Our island boasts fresh spring water, ensuring you have access to clean drinking water. Although we rely on fuel-powered generators, power outages are infrequent, and you will have access to both 220 and 110 volts of electrical connections.
  
  Community Engagement:
  As a community-focused individual, I am passionate about culture and heritage. I actively volunteer with local groups and schools, and volunteers will have the opportunity to engage with children and community members, gaining firsthand experience of our culture.
  
  Personal Growth:
  This experience is about more than just volunteering; it’s about mutual growth. Through immersive, experience-based learning, volunteers will develop skills in eco-friendly construction, art/design projects, problem-solving, and project management. You will learn to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of self-sustainability that enhances self-esteem.
  
  Join Us:
  If you share a passion for creativity, sustainability, and community, I invite you to join us at the Artisans Hub to help co-create this inspiring space. Together, we will make a lasting impact, inspire one another, and build a brighter future.
  
  "If you want to harvest for a season, grow crops. If you want to harvest for a decade, grow trees. If you want to harvest for a lifetime, grow people." - Chinese Proverb.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Art & design
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Learn about Montserratian history and culture. About our volcanic island and buried city. Local foods and beverages. Outdoor education, marine conservation, youth education, and meet interesting people with amazing stories!

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  This year (2025), our focus will be on developing the Artisans Hub through hands-on art, building, design, crafting, upcycling, and workshop design. We are looking for volunteers with a variety of skills to help us bring our vision to life. Here are the skills we would greatly appreciate:
  
  1. Artistic Skills:
  - Experience in painting, sculpture, or mixed media art.
  - Ability to create innovative designs for decor and furniture.
  
  2. Crafting and DIY Skills:
  - Proficiency in crafting techniques, including woodworking, sewing, or textile arts.
  - Knowledge of upcycling methods to creatively repurpose materials.
  
  3. Building and Construction Skills:
  - Basic carpentry skills for constructing art installations or furniture.
  - Familiarity with eco-friendly building techniques and materials.
  
  4. Workshop Design and Facilitation:
  - Experience in planning and leading workshops or classes.
  - Ability to engage and teach others in creative processes.
  
  5. Problem-Solving Skills:
  - Resourcefulness in finding solutions during projects.
  - Flexibility and adaptability to work with diverse materials and challenges.
  
  6. Teamwork and Collaboration:
  - Strong communication skills to work effectively with fellow volunteers and community members.
  - A positive attitude towards teamwork and sharing knowledge.
  
  7. Photography, Videography (including use of Drone)
  
  It would be an asset if you love the ocean and are inspired by it! At the core of the hub is the ocean work we do.
  
  If you possess any of these skills and are passionate about creativity, sustainability, marine awareness, community engagement, we would love to have you join us in our mission at the Clubhouse- (Artisans Hub)!

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  At the Clubhouse Volunteers will stay in a cozy clubhouse right on Little Bay. The space includes:
  
  - Size: Approximately 500 sq. ft. floor space, accommodating up to eight people, but ideally suited for four volunteers at a time.
  - Living Space: A bright and airy space, a blank canvas for inspiring creativity, featuring space for 2 queen-size bed frames and two-day beds. --->>>>We can only provide mattresses at this point until we develop further.
  - Facilities: One small bathroom with a shower, and plans for an outdoor shower area built with local beach stones.
  - Kitchen: Access to kitchen utensils and gas cooking facilities, with a small food stipend provided for fruits and vegetables.
  - Electricity: Access to both 220 and 110 volts, with hopes to transition to solar energy in the future.
  - Community Atmosphere: Located in a tranquil area near local bars and restaurants, the hub maintains a natural charm and privacy while being part of community activities.
  
  Volunteers will share responsibilities for daily activities, including cooking and cleaning, fostering a collaborative and supportive living environment.

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  What else ...

  Hiking, exploring our modern day Pompeii, discovering our very unique island and magical flora and fauna.
  
  A very good portfolio building experience if you are interested in photography/videography/marine science.
  
  We are also happy to provide a virtual tour of the space to selected volunteers! Looking forward to meeting you :)

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Our beachside location has a high-speed fibre optic internet connection.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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