Learn how to live sustainably, grow food and live simply with a non-profit in Kurtistown, Hawaii, USA

Details

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  Description

  We are a building contractor and farmer focused on putting an end to unnecessary suffering. We believe in teaching people to fish, rather than providing it. Our goal is to create a community through teaching people how to grow their own food, build their own homes, live in harmony with nature and be healthy. We know this to be a truly sustainable path to empowering and enabling people to secure the healthy and happy futures they deserve. Our plan is to gradually build up the infrastructure so we can help former foster youth, immigrants, refugees, homeless individuals/families and domestic violence victims. We provide hands on education for building cabins, growing food, eating in a way that prevents disease, stress relief and living sustainably, a place to stay and an environment where they can thrive.
  At the moment we have six dry cabins, a communal kitchen/shower, a greenhouse and a fenced in area for our food forest. Currently, we are focusing on bringing water and power to our cabins, expanding our growing operation in the greenhouse, rescuing an abandoned macadamia nut orchard, caring for our dogs, cats, horses and chickens, thinking about projects that can focus on green/renewable energy and amping up our social media presence. We're using permaculture and agroforestry concepts. Soil health is a priority when growing food and caring for the land. In the future we will build some more cabins and a second kitchen/hangout area. Volunteers will get to learn how to make garden beds from scratch, harvest, plant, compost, soil health, care of trees, how to live self-sufficiently, and how to start a farm from the ground up. Maybe even get to learn how to build a cabin!
  Long term stays are preferred as we invest a lot of time and energy into training the right people. There will be a probation period of one week as you must have a work ethic that flows with ours. Skills are not required, but ambition is the key to being here. If you are not more ambitious than most then this will not be a good fit for either of us. We are not looking for an average helper. In general people are infinitely more capable than they are willing to apply themselves and we want to help bring out your best as it will help us bring ours. In return you will be provided with your own off-grid cabin, food, a surfboard, kayaks, snorkel gear, our love, appreciation and getting in on the ground floor of a project that will empower the less fortunate to help themselves. You will also get a ride somewhere to see the sights once a week as we are in a bit of a remote location.
  We will provide healthy staples for your breakfast and dinner. Lunch is communal. We provide a plant based whole food lunch. A long-term volunteer loves to cook this way and if she is not cooking, we would love for you to make a healthy lunch full of whole, unprocessed foods! We believe in our health and the health of the planet. Therefore, we discourage processed foods on the property and do not use chemicals (this includes personal care products; please no fragrances!). You will share a kitchen, shower, composting toilet and living room with us so please know that we keep a clean common area and trust our volunteers will treat our space with respect. Let's try to be the best version of ourselves!
  
  The property is located in a small town 30 minutes South of Hilo called Kurtistown. This is about 3.5 miles to the nearest bus station. -----
  
  We are a 501(c)3 non-profit, funded by profits from building/remodel projects.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Light maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Charity work

  

  Plant care

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Animals
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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

  Health is a top priority and you can expect healthy food and places to exercise, as well as encouragement and advice on how to do both, if you would like. We have great love and respect for people who come to help us with our mission and will show you love and treat you like family. We have happy, positive attitudes and a passion for hard work and helping those in need that we hope you will find to be contagious. --In the future, we will be able to teach you how to build a home from start to finish. We do concrete, framing, plumbing, electrical, roofing and all aspects of construction.

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  Registered charity

  This host is a registered charity in their country and is looking for volunteers to help with their project(s).

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  Help

  Help expand our garden beds in the greenhouse, farming, animal care, taking pics, video and social media.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  I’m happy to help people with English.
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  Accommodation

  Off grid cabin with solar lights. Composting toilets, water and electric are in the communal kitchen.

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  What else ...

  We have beautiful beaches, mountains and hikes all over this island!

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have 38 acres and you can park just about anything, anywhere.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Any safe/friendly pets are welcome. They must be nice to our other dogs, cats, chickens and horses. We also have baby trees that are very vulnerable.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  Ted

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