Welcoming volunteers to breath new life into a health, healing and happiness center in Santa Elena, Ecuador

Details

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  Description

  Hi, I’m Nancy, born in Manhattan, I've been living in Pennsylvania the past 50+ years.
  
  In recent weeks I bought a Hacienda in Sinchal near Valdivia, in the province of Santa Elena, in Ecuador. The property is 30 minutes (or a $7 taxi ride away) from the surf beach of Montañita, and 1.5 hours from Puerto Lopez. Both popular destinations and departure points for whale watching (July to November), trips to Isla de la Plata (also known as poor man’s Galapagos, and part of the Machalilla National Park), and more...
  
  While I have grand visions for this healing center to be operational in the next few months, right now I need a helping hand with general grounds and property maintenance.
  
  This 12 acre (4.86 hectare) Finca, with 400 moringa trees, 100 coconut trees, and a variety of fruit trees, has the capacity to accommodate 20 people. However, it has been unoccupied for the past three years and is in the process of receiving a new breath of life.
  
  I can accommodate two volunteers current and it is important that applicants have a good comprehension of English.
  
  The Finca is an alcohol free property yet conveniently connected, by a 5 minute stroll, to our local village (Sinchal). There you'll find a mini, daily fruit and veg market, grocery stores, pharmacies, and some traditional family eateries.
  
  Bars, cafes, restaurants, and more are in abundance starting from just a $1.50 taxi (less by bus) ride away.
  
  Assisting me on the ground is my friend and fellow healing practitioner, Joanne, we look forward to hearing from anyone who can join us, and other volunteers, on this venture and be part of something that is good for many…
  
  Saludos,
  Nancy

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  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

  Both on the Finca property and in the local town of Sinchal, we have the opportunity to engage with locals and practice improving or speaking Spanish.
  
  Learning how locals 'be' and 'do' things is also a great learning opportunity because of how differently we approach "work" and "life" and the manner in which these are experienced.
  
  The way of life is still traditional here, and while we tend to be far enough away to not hear some of the usual sounds from street vendors, dogs, and music, it is just a five minute stroll away when we do want to be amongst it.

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  Help

  In exchange for four (4) hours a day of your time and effort, engaging in these kinds of activities:
  
  - Cleaning
  - Painting
  - Moving décor and furniture around
  - Lawn mowing
  - Shrub and tree pruning
  - Weeding
  - Raking and leaf collection for compost
  - General maintenance
  - Light animal care
  - Cooking / meal preparation
  - Light computer duties including creating lists, documents and spreadsheets in Google Drive
  
  I will provide accommodation, food (fish, chicken and meat allowed, but not included), and internet.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I'm keen to improve my Spanish and happy to assist others learn or improve their English.
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  Accommodation

  Your shared accommodation is in a timber, concrete and tiled casita including bathroom and full kitchen. Also with laundry facilities onsite. Refer photos attached.

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  What else ...

  In your time off you can pursue your online business requirements, walk/run the property perimeter, chill in a hammock... with a good book - we have many! Stroll into town. Go for a swim, surf and sunset. Eat out. Visit local artisans and other popular coastal towns to the north like Montañita, Olon and Ayampe, and to the tip of Salinas in the south.

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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

  I have two networks. So as long as we have power, we almost always have the internet. The service is decent and accessible from most of the 12 acres.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We are able to accommodate vehicles, of any size, onsite and behind locked gates.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We currently have five medium and large sized, trained and tranquil dogs ranging in age from 1 to 7 years, three cats, and 12 baby chickens, we are open to receiving your furry friends too.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week