Join our small community sustainable living project in northern Saxony, Germany

Details

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  Description

  Since 2011 we (a small community of 3 adults and 2 children) have been living as closely as possible to our principles of a steadfast sustainable life. We try to be as self-sufficient as we can by eating, preserving, canning and drying the vegetables our own garden provides. Local avenue fruit trees are part of our food basis as well as several beehives in our garden. Additionally we are developing a large orchard. In 2021 we founded a regional group of the German „foodsharing“ network, whose aim it is to value and process edible dumped food.
  We try to get everything we need second hand, for free or by bartering, and we even reuse and upcycle building materials. We take what we find and experiment. In doing so, we are inspired by traditional crafts and come up with unconventional solutions, e.g. insulating with old wine bottles and making tea lights from leftover wax and suet. In our daily mobility we mainly use our cargo bike and our three cycle rickshaws.
  We want to share our vision and give others the opportunity to experiment with different life styles.
  We organize a small number of workshops every year, such as Cooking with Native Plants.
  Acting in an ecologically and socially responsible manner doesn‘t stop at our property line: That is why a good chunk of our everyday life is political activism: For instance, we have successfully been engaged against a planned new open lignite mine in the region, and are currently trying to prevent the unnecessary expansion of a regional road.
  One of our main aims it is to renovate the old spinning mill which is situated on our premises, a large two-floor brick building. Until 2025 we will be spending much time managing a „hands-on“ construction site, where everybody can join, help and learn about traditional construction methods such as carpentry, joinery, masonry and working with clay – or help in the kitchen, garden, material transport and many more.
  
  As our volunteer you are part of our community. We do projects and eat together and like to spend our spare time together.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The landscape of our region Lusatia is adapted to lignite mining. We like take our volunteers for day trips to the mining area. There you can see the entire effects for humans and environment and we explain the process behind it.

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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

  Gardening tasks, depending on the season: preparing beds, sowing, planting, weeding and harvesting.
  House building tasks: preparing the construction site, building with wood and clay (masonry, joinery, carpentry), tool maintenance...
  Housekeeping tasks: food logistics and storage, cooking, dishwashing...
  
  For the most part we will do projects together on something and of course introduce you in every task. At any time you can ask for help.
  
  We'd like you to stay for at least two weeks until 3 weeks. If we get on well, you are then welcome to stay longer.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent

  This 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.
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  Accommodation

  There are two little trailers for sleeping (one for one person and the other one for two persons), but without heating/stove.
  
  Besides a bathroom inside we also got a green shower outside, which is great in summer time!
  
  We prepare and have meals together three times a day. The meals are mostly vegetarian, frequently vegan, rarely with meat or fish.

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  What else ...

  Around the area there are beautyful bicycle routes reaching the nearby cities of Spremberg (12 km), Weißwasser (16 km) and Hoyerswerda (20 km). You can lend a bike for tours from us.
  
  In summer you can also get by bike to the nearby lakes.
  
  The landscape of our region Lusatia is adapted to lignite mining. We like take our volunteers for day trips to the mining area. There you can see the entire effects for humans and environment and we explain the process behind it.

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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

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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