Help with construction, animal care, horse riding and house sitting in Mendoza, Argentina

Details

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  Description

  Mo (French Nomad traveling since 2011 - Wilderness Survival Instructor and Expedition Paramedic certified from England) and Angie (Polish Nomad- B.Sc Animal Husbandry Major in Horse care, riding, and training) and their 2 little children were traveling with horses through Argentina since July 2018 to June 2020 as a part of the project to travel from Argentina to Mexico on horseback over the course of 10 years.
  
  When the covid pandemic started we had to stop our expedition and wait till it blew over completely. In 2020, we bought land in Potrerillos, Mendoza province, where we plan to build an eco-friendly tourism site that will feature alternative cabanas, a restaurant, and an adventure center with a variety of outdoor sports. At the moment we have a treehouse cabin, a Mongolian yurt, a converted bus (where volunteers will be sleeping), a swimming pool, play area. As far as the animals, they are more like pets than farm animals used for work, we have 2 horses, 2 sheep, 2 chickens, 1 duck, 4 dogs, and 2 cats. We are seeking volunteers with special skills (experienced horse riders/trainers, construction, child educator, artists etc)
  
  2024 URGENT HELP - VOLUNTEER WITH IT SKILLS TO BUILD A WEBSITE FOR OUR COMPLEX

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We were travelers like you, we have been traveling around Argentina for 3 years, we know a lot of stories of this country which we will share with you. Living in a super tourist place in Argentina - 8 km from the Potrerillos lake, 4 km from Cacheuta hot springs, 40 km from Tupungato (wine valley - Valle de Uco). We have access to private property of 18,000 hectares of mountains, horseriding tracks, rock climbing, Motorcross tracks, MTB tracks & hiking trials. We work with locals and gauchos (once in a while they will stop by the property) then, you will have the opportunity to have cultural exchanges and maybe share local meals, etc.
  
  Since it's a 5-day work and you will have 2 days per week to enjoy the country/province.
  You will get to ride horses, learn about horse care and training them.

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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

  Our profile was mainly focused on horses and animal care, but now in 2024 we have some urgent constructions that we need to finish. Flexibility is important, as every day, week or month might be different, depending on the weather and current projects.
  We don't require you to have experience with horses, but it's definitely a plus.
  
  Help that we need will be a mix of these things:
  - construction (we have several projects trying to improve the life quality in the terrain, building proper shower-toilet block and our house) - general help, passing the tools, holding ladders, painting etc
  - animal care - feeding, watering, taking horses out to the pasture, horse training (if experienced)
  - child care - generally our children (6&7 yo) are very independent, but sometimes we will ask you for some supervision or engaging in some activities (playing games, taking them horse riding, etc)
  - cooking & cleaning common spaces
  
  HORSE RIDING and spending a day out with horses is treated as a reward for your help around the farm.
  We are more than happy to teach you horse riding basics, horse care, understanding, and communicating with horses if you're a beginner. If you're an advanced horse rider there are plenty of trails in the mountains where you can go on horseback and explore.
  
  CURRENT SCHEDULE
  Monday-Friday or Wednesday-Sunday: helping days
  Saturday-Sunday or Monday-Tuesday: days off
  
  Above mentioned days are flexible, depending on the weather and your time of arrival, but general routine consists of 2 days per week spending mostly with horses and 3 days helping on the farm with whatever projects we have.
  
  DAY OUT WITH HORSES
  After you feed and water the horses in the morning at 8am, together with other volunteer you will saddle up the horses and ride out 30min-1 hour away from the property looking for a pasture. Once you find good place with grass, you will unsaddle the horses, tie them up, let them graze. Meanwhile, you will be provided with a sunshade, speakers, and books to read. You can do whatever you want in that time, as long as occasionally you watch over the horses so that they don't get tangled, or escape. You'll have to pack your lunch that you prepare before, water and any snacks you want for the day. Around 6pm you start saddling up horses again and you make your way back to the terrain. Unsaddle, give water to the horses and your day is finished. The work will last about 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening.
  
  HELP ON THE FARM
  You will be helping more or less 3 hours in the morning between 8-12 and then late afternoon 2 hours usually 6-8pm. So you will generally have a free time during the day.
  Please bear in mind that above routines are just examples and can vary depending on some urgencies.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  Polish: Fluent
  Tamil: Fluent
  French: Intermediate

  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

  We are located in a remote area, with no neighbors, scenic mountain views, yet easily accessible by the main road - 30km from Mendoza, 10km from Potrerillos. We have a modified bus which is our primary living space. You will be staying either in one of the bedrooms in the bus or in the Yurt (cabin that we normally rent).
  The bedroom is shared between the volunteers but the kitchen, bathroom, shower, and dining area are shared by all. The accommodation features wood and gas heating, hot water shower. You can enjoy the swimming pool in the summer (but not this season).
  
  You need to be conscious about water consumption and minimise it. It's not a normal household, IT'S A DESERT. Shower is possible 1 a week or at extra charge. No laundry or washing clothes - you can take it down to the laundromat on your days off. Water here cost us 500 usd monthly, that's why we have to put restrictions as people in the past abused it a lot. Washing dishes has to be done in a specific way, you never leave water tap running and open.
  
  Whole place is run by solar energy and only during day we'll have electricity for few hours. You can charge your phones then.
  
  No food is provided, you need to bring what you need before you come for at least 1st week. We go shopping once a week, so if it's possible we can get you some basic products as well. We are far away from supermarket.

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  What else ...

  We are located right in the middle of most tourist spots Mendoza has to offer. You can easily go to Potrerillos lake, the valley of UCO, the best wines in the country offering wine tasting and winery tours, 60 minutes drive to Mount Aconcagua, the tallest summit outside Asia and the highest in all Americas. There are several adventure activities such as horseriding (in the house), kayaking, SUP, canoeing, white water rafting, rock climbing (in the house), zipline, paragliding, hot springs and resort etc.

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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 place has fiberoptic internet, but it's speed and reliability depends on weather.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Yes, we welcome volunteers in campervans and our property is by the main road RN7, and a 4X4 is NOT required. 30 meters from the asphalt road.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Yes we accept pets, they can roam free (provided they won't eat our livery such as chickens, ducklings, lambs etc.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 3 hours a day, 5 days a week

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