Create non-profit, sustainable project near Caspe, Spain

Details

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  Description

  Hello!
  I'm Jaschenka, I'm Dutch but have lived in other countries like Iran and the United Arab Emirates and have worked in many more, like Nepal, Morocco, Oman & Uzbekistan.
  
  After my experiences around the world I searched for a rural place to call home, to create an open space. A place where you can disconnect from your daily life and re-connect with yourself, loved ones, nature and others. A place where you can simply be you, without judgements.
  
  I've found this place in the form of an olive grove of almost 2 hectares, about 12 km. from a small town called Caspe in Aragón. This is how El Gozo de Aragón (or happiness of Aragón) was born.
  
  The idea is to organize workshops, retreats & events around 4 key values: rural life, sustainability, creativity and social/ intercultural values in English & Spanish, for our local community, international visitors, families, educational facilities and people with disabilities.
  
  The aim is to be as sustainable and self-sufficient as possible.
  
  So far, a small ruin has been renovated, where I now live. Solar panels have been installed for electricity and water is pumped out of the irrigation canal in front of the small house. I've learned how to take care of the olive grove, created a vegetable garden, planted the first fruit trees, emerged myself in the local community in Caspe through volunteering & organizing (intercultural) activities and started with the first steps to develop facilities and (creative) spaces to start organizing activities.
  Now that I'm ready for the next steps, some helping hands are very welcome!
  
  I've found my place, my home, with beautiful nature and wonderful people around. I'm excited to share this space and invite you to create it together and let your colours shine!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Culture

  

  Photography

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Mountain

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Charity work

  

  Events & social

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Art & design

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  Gardening

  

  Languages

  

  Performing arts

  

  Hiking
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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

  Experience different aspects of a sustainable, rural, off-grid life and the different sustainable options we've implemented such as a vermicomposting toilet, grey water system, using local/ natural resources, olive cultivation and more.
  
  Learn about (creative) recycling, eco-construction, local artisans & artists, practice/ exchange any of the languages I speak.
  
  Connect with nature and take time to re-connect with yourself, plenty of beautiful spots around.
  
  I'm very involved in the local community through volunteering at & organizing (intercultural) activities. You are most welcome to join and participate in these activities and get to know the local, as well as other culture(s). Step by step we will start organizing activities at our place and of course you're welcome to join these as well, and if you like to organize a workshop or activity yourself I'm more than happy to discuss this.
  
  I'd like to learn from you as much as I hope you'll be able to learn from me and your input and ideas are greatly appreciated.

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  Help

  Short and long-term volunteers are welcome, but I would prefer volunteers who can commit to a minimum of 2 weeks, as it takes some days to get used to the place and routine.
  I like spending time together, but also appreciate time for myself and am looking for volunteers who appreciate the same.
  
  Volunteer work varies with the season and the projects we'll be working on, but in general it will be 4 hrs per day, 5 days a week.
  Hours are flexible, and I'm open to make a day/ week plan together according to your interests and the priorities we have at that moment.
  I'd like to learn from you as much as I hope you'll be able to learn from me and am open to your ideas and suggestions.
  Keep in mind that in Summer it's hot, so early morning or in the evening from 19:00 PM onwards.
  
  What I need help with:
  Developing facilities and (creative) spaces to organize activities, using recycled materials & eco-construction as much as possible. Think about:
  - Creating outdoor toilets & showers,
  - Outdoor kitchen
  - Covered sitting area
  - Kids zone
  - Creative space
  - Relax nooks
  
  Maintaining the land, incorporating permaculture principles. Depending on the season this can include:
  - Vegetable garden: planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, extending
  - Finishing a sunken greenhouse
  - Olive grove: pruning trees, harvesting olives
  - Planting and diversifying the land with fruit & nut trees, flowers etc., installing irrigation system
  - Overall maintenance: clearing overgrown areas, cutting firewood etc.
  
  Occasionally I have to travel abroad for work for a week or so. Long-term volunteers are welcome to stay and house-sit during this time.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  Spanish: Intermediate
  Persian (Farsi): Intermediate
  French: Intermediate
  Arabic: Beginner

  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

  Accommodation
  You will stay in a shipping container. At the moment we are creating a (family) bedroom. 2 sleeping pods are planned. You will have the space for yourself (or share it with your partner/ friend/ family if you come together). Sheets & towels are provided.
  We also have a tent 4-persons tent available from April until September. Comfortable air matrass, sheets & towels are provided.
  Moreover, there is space for a (camper) van to park.
  
  Toilet & shower
  We can set up a toilet tent with portable toilet next to your tent/ the container for the nights. During the day you are welcome to use the toilet/ shower facilities in my house until the facilities outside are finished.
  
  Electricity & wifi
  There won't be electricity at your accommodation for the moment, except for solar lights, but you are welcome to charge your phone etc. at my house. There is wifi at my house as well.
  The electricity comes from solar panels. This means that on rainy/ cloudy days and in the evenings we have to be considerate about the usage. Sometimes there is phone/internet coverage outside, and sometimes there isn't.
  
  Water
  Water for washing & showering (and watering plants) is pumped from the irrigation canal in front of the house. This means regular checking of the water level in the water tanks to avoid running out of water mid-shower ;-) To have a shower electricity is needed, please take this into consideration: shower during the day / not on cloudy/rainy days etc.
  Water for drinking / cooking will be provided.
  
  Meals
  We will usually have at least 1 meal together a day.
  You'll have basic ingredients and a place to cook at your accommodation for the times when you prepare your own meal. You're welcome to use the veggies from our vegetable garden and/or the abundance of fruit and vegetables our neighbours share with us.
  If we're both in the mood, we can share more meals and/ or evening drinks together.
  I don't eat pork or drink alcohol, and am moderating my meat/fish consumption. But I respect that everyone has their own perspective and approach and have no problem to accommodate.

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  What else ...

  El Gozo de Aragón located 12 km. from Caspe, the nearest town. Caspe has a train station and I can pick you up from there, but if you have your own transportation you are more flexible.
  I go to town 2-3 times a week, so if you don't have your own transportation you are more than welcome to ride with me.
  
  I volunteer and organize different (intercultural) activities and you are welcome to join these activities, as well as show you around the area.
  
  You can have beautiful walks around the area and swim in the lake nearby. Or find a quiet spot on our land for yoga, to read, draw or just relax. You can also explore Zaragoza (1,5 hrs by train), Tarragona (2 hrs by train) or Barcelona (3,5 hrs by train).

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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

  There is satellite wifi connection at/ around my house, not at the volunteer accommodation. Sometimes there internet/phone coverage outside (away from the satellite connection) and sometimes there isn't. If you need internet connection for your work, please let me know in advance, to see if we can create a comfortable workspace for you.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is plenty of space to park a (camper) van. Kindly note that there is no fixed electricity outlet to connect your van, but you can charge your phone etc. at our house.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Kindly note that there is no fenced off area. In case of visitors or during activities, it is appreciated that your pet is kept away from the guests/ activities.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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