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

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: 1 month or more

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Details

  • Description

    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 would like to 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. We are still unsure of how this will look exactly and would love any and all input.
    At the moment we have six dry cabins, a communal kitchen/shower, a greenhouse and a fenced in area for a future food forest. Currently, we are focusing on expanding our garden beds in the greenhouse, preparing the fenced in acreage for the future food forest, 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. The lead farmer is trying to use permaculture and agroforestry concepts. Soil health is a priority when growing food and caring for the land. In the future we hope to build some more cabins and possibly 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! We would love someone that wants to help us with our social media and documenting all that is happening.
    Long term stays are required (9 month minimum) 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 car or 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 try to cook 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.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    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.

  • Help

    Help

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

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent

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

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

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

  • What else ...

    What else ...

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

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

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

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

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

  • Can possibly accept pets

    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.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 868221829375

Feedback (5)



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Accuracy of profile: (4.6)

Cultural exchange: (4.2)

Communication: (4.4)








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