Join our center for sustainable practices and wellbeing in Eastern Macedonia

Details

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  Description

  The idea behind the Center for Sustainable Practices arose since 2017. It wasn’t meant to be a center since the beginning, but with the years, with the work done and the knowledge gained, the idea and the goal changed.
  By now we know that we want to create this place where positive practices will be shared and tried out altogether following the principles of permaculture. In 2021 we have registered it as a civil organization by the same title.
  
  The facilities of the center is located in a village called Star Istevnik. The village is 18 km away from the town Delchevo and 15km from the town Berovo, but belongs to the municipality of Delchevo. The village is almost abandoned, it has around 20 people left. Most of them are elders, who don't speak or understand English, only Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian and Bulgarian.
  There is a small property with an old house which is built only with natural materials (clay, straw, wood, lime, stone) in which we have made many improvements in the interior. Very recently we’ve built a modern inside shower with greywater system. There's an outside compost toilet and an inside dry compost toilet.
  The house consists of a kitchen with dining space, two shared bedrooms, one chillout space and a creative room which is also used as an office.
  
  The place has been visited by many volunteers so far, with different purposes and backgrounds. We’ve held Erasmus+ projects, hosted workawayers and other non-formal volunteers.
  
  Behind the whole project are Borche and Simona with some friends.
  Borche is working as a dispatcher for a company in the US and he is the visionary of the project. He's passion is gardening and likes to experiment with eco-building.
  Simona is a full-time mother, Yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner. The 3 years old daughter Darya is also around to help.
  
  There aren't any permanent residents in the place, except the volunteers that live there periodically.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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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

  By the time being here you will have the opportunity to test yourself if you are able to live in a rural area and share with other unfamiliar people as a community, as a family. You have this opportunity to be more humble in your wishes and try to live sustainable lifestyle.
  -You'll be able to learn the traditional methods that has been used in agriculture, but also try new ones and experiment in gardening;
  -To practice Hatha yoga with Simona as well as receive Reiki;
  -To learn a bit of the Macedonian language;
  -To engage in preparing any workshops that might be happening for the period of your stay;
  -To enjoy the peace and quiet in the village;
  -To enjoy the benefits from the clean water and air;
  -To be 24/7 connected with nature;
  -To do arts and designs for the esthetics of the place;
  -To meet other international volunteers (if we have them around);
  -To enjoy slow mornings in the cosines of the environment.

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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

  We are looking for hard working people who would like to dedicate part of their time for building something meaningful.
  
  *Mainly we will work 5 hours a day, but the schedule depends much on the weather conditions. We like the people to feel free and enjoy, but also to be responsible and give their support for the project.
  *Cooking and planning of meals is always a great help, so if you have cooking skills, you can demonstrate them.
  *If you are practicing some wellbeing techniques and you want to share them with us, we would like to learn :)
  *Since the cultural life in Delchevo is in stagnation and is lacking diversity, If you feel like to organize workshops and events downtown to raise up the spirit of the cultural life, we would be happy to support it, but that depends on your motivation.
  *We like to go with the flow, so most of the activities will be coming day by day, there are things that can not be planned.
  We are looking for people who are friendly, are not afraid of rural conditions and living in nature and wouldn't mind staying alone in the property.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Bulgarian: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Croatian: Fluent
  Macedonian: Fluent
  Russian: Fluent
  Serbo-Croatian: Fluent
  Spanish: 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

  -Shared rooms in the house and tents. There are 2 shared bedrooms in a house build with natural materials that gives you the feel like it's a living organism;
  
  -There is a dry compost toilette as part of the house, there's another outside toilette and an shower in the house and outside one;
  
  -The food depends on the season. We are orienting with the nature. We tend to eat the food from the garden we've produced, but if this resource is not available, we buy from the local green market. Sometimes we help in our neighbor's farm and in exchange we get milk and cheese.
  We will have a jar for occasional donations for the food if is necessary and if you have special food requirements we expect you to take care of them.
  We share everything we have, but if this is not enough, feel free to support the kitchen jar.
  
  *So far, we have been giving all of our time, energy, finances, will and soul for this place. We kindly expect that you are aware of this and treat everything that's here with attention and respect.
  All the damage done by you, should be covered accordingly.

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  What else ...

  In your free time you can explore the area. Also you can go on a trip inside the country to see some other nice places.
  About the transport: To go to the town you can go with a taxi or hitchhike. It's only 15km.
  We can make movie nights into the center, invite members of the organization to hang out and so on.
  
  *Please note:
  We are not responsible for your touristic experience and we do not offer free rides to the town for your own needs.
  Those trips should be covered by yourself.

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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

  We would be happy to offer the space for digital nomads that are eager to balance the digital world by being surrounded with nature. We have a 4G Wifi router available and a place to focus on your work.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We are accepting pets but only out doors from the main facilities.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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