Profile information
Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
12 Jun 2025
Feedback
19
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
My name is Sara, my passions range from ecology, permaculture, agroforesting, self-sufficiency practices, ethno-anthropology and ethnomusicology. I speak Sicilian, Italian, English and Spanish. Since 10 years I am part of the regional Permaculture network in Sicily, after many experiences in various community and realities I settled and live on the southern slopes of Etna in Belpasso, in the old farmhouse of my grandparents that I renovated and turned into a B&B / convivial farmhouse. I also dedicate myself to the cultivation of olive trees and the production of extra virgin olive oil for me and my family. There is a small vegetable garden that I'm going to improve, and I am progressing in the design of the garden around the house to increase resilience and self-sufficiency. In addition, right next to the house, together with my cousins, we manage a vineyard and produce organic wine with ancient methods (pressing in stone tanks without using synthetic products). The production is rather small so it is enough just for me and for the family: the vineyard is a bit abandoned but this has created a good balance between wild and cultivated so the work will be a delicate reclamation. I live there with two dogs and two outside cats and one inside. Usually many friends visit me and I love conviviality. Another larger olive grove is located at my mother's house in a town further downstream than where I live, and sometimes we will go there for some maintenance.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Politics / Social justice
Culture
Farming
Sustainability
Events & social
Charity work
Carpentry
Plant care
Music
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Hiking
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
In all the works I do I always try to be inspired by permaculture so the knowledge I can share are mainly about permaculture, ecology, soil and community regeneration. Lately I feel very inspired by the social application of ecology and the creation of small communities. I strongly believe in the ethics of caring for the earth, caring for the person and equitable sharing.
Also I am passionate about traditional music, I have had experiences in research, and I have a large musical archive on Sicily and on the tradition of storytellers. I love the sacred conviviality and the exchange that is created by exploring territorial identities and traditions and for me is very important the genuineness of improvisation.
Help
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Help in summer
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The garden has been a bit neglected in recent weeks due to some problems with my back and muscles which force me not to make excessive efforts and to carry out a gradual rehabilitation. There are many small jobs to do in taking over the vegetable garden and flowerbeds, some work in the vineyard, living and making the camping area alive (also in the "creative" sense), and the great goal of making a chicken coop. There are also dogs and cats to take care of.
It often happens that I am away for two or three days and in that case I would need house sitting. So I will not always be able to participate in the work, or be present and I would need people/groups of people who are self-sufficient and proactive.
Here it is a bit isolated so it would be better if those who stay had a car (45 minutes walk to the town). I have an electric bike wich is something :)
Languages spoken
Spanish: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
English: Intermediate
Accommodation
During summer the house is used as a B&B, and I host the volunteers in tents but the garden is equipped with compost toilet, kitchen and solar showers, so the camping is very comfortable. I have a big tend for couple or friends (max 3/4) and a small one (1 max 2 pl.). If you have your tend or caravan even better!
The spaces of the house that are not used as a B&B are only the kitchen and my private room, so life will mainly take place outdoors; meals will be shared with flexibility, since I also have other commitments and work outside the home. In the garden there is an equipped kitchen so you will also have the possibility of managing yourself independently.
What else ...
The house is located in a countryside area outside the town so it is better to have a vehicle available to visit the area. Reachable from Catania by AST or FCE bus (Borrello stop), the stop in the village is 3 km from the house: I will pick you up at the stop, on foot it's a bit tiring climb!
20 minutes from the Sapienza Refuge (cableway to the central craters), 35 min from Catania, 1h from Syracuse, 1h from Taormina, 40 min from the Riviera dei Ciclopi (Acireale), 20 min from the Simeto Valley, 25 min from the Serra la observatory Ship.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a 30M internet connection, of course if you have to work online in your free time it's possible! We can organize our days together!
Space for parking camper vans
We have enough space for the campervan!!
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (10)
And not to… read more
Working in the olive groves was very… read more
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And not to… read more
Working in the olive groves was very… read more
I truly loved my time there and I definitely recommend… read more
It was so… read more
He is also a cheerful, smiling and very polite person. Recommended!
