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18 Nov 2024
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Description
We are an NGO in public benefit. We help young adults to transition between educational or career paths. And we have a dream - to create a rural training and volunteering centre.
Started in 2016 in Sofia, in 2020 we moved to Plovdiv, and now we transition towards rural area 1 h away from Plovdiv. We hold Erasmus+ accreditation in the field of youth and we are holder of Quality label for Lead organisation in the context of European Solidarity Corps - ESC (previously know as EVS).
In 2023 we started implementing youth work camps in Mrachenik - a tiny village, with beautiful nature. We obtained in 2023 the old abandoned school in the village, a place of education since the 1860s. Then in 1986 it was closed. Now we are revitalising it a step at a time.
For that location we need help mainly in the profile of:
- DIY repairs
- maintenance
- gardening
Your previous experience is not important, as important is your attitude and willingness to support that rural project. And most importantly, being ok to stay in a remote village with limited comforts.
Experience that can be useful to have:
- helping with hand tools
- helping with power tools
- knowing how to paint
- knowing how to cut wood and assemble wooden parts
- knowing how to help with drywall and other simple masonry
- knowing how to fix tiles, and other minor things.
We will show you and guide you, yet the expectation is for proactive and interested person in this kind of activities, and the vision and values of village life. Just because it seems interesting and you want to try it doesn't mean it is a good idea or good fit. It is a slow and boring process, that takes hard-work, persistence, love, care, and patience.
We are not expecting a one-man-show, yet these are some examples of skills that will make you a good fit for this WA placement.
The village project is not financed by any program, donor, or grant and is purely rough and needs hard skills, and also soft skills, as the local people sometimes see our work as disturbing the usual vibe. At the same time, we got several mini donations and support and our list of friends is growing.
IMPORTANT
1. Consider that comforts limited and this is NOT like living in a city. No ATMs, no shops, no pharmacy, no bars, no clubs in the village. The closest are 25 km away.
1.1. No public transportation (except on Wednesdays :) ), we provide a bicycle.
2. If you get tired easily, this is not for you.
2.1. If you like scrolling social media, and spending hours on netflix - unfortunately, this is not for you.
3. Bugs, and mosquitos, are all around, which is actually great news!
3.1. Occasionally some harmless snakes might be spotted on a hot day.
4. Power, water, shower, laundry, and toilet are available.
4.1. Living conditions include small village cabin, and non-renovated 200 years old house. Comforts are limited: internet, heating, phone coverage might not be available all the time
5. Food: we provide supplies, you cook for yourself in exchange of your help. The place is great escape, retreat, asylum away from city buzz.
6. Tasks: manual, sweaty, self-paced.
7. Hot mineral water, mountains, swimming, rivers, lakes, mountain springs, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, temazcal etc. within 2-30 km away.
8. Climate is moderate, and village temps can be high in summer (33°C), still few degrees below Plovdiv. At winter can be -10°C
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Yes, definitely. We want to revitalise the local community by enriching it with international spirit. We also host international work camps in the same place, doing the same things in larger groups of 30-40 people.
That way locals can benefit in many areas - intercultural exchange, voluntary actions and initiatives, support and care. The village has about ~60 inhabitants. In our team of the foundation we are 6-10 people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and nationalities.
We offer life-changing experience and provide learning and personal development opportunity to those willing to contribute.
Help
For that location we need help mainly in the profile of:
- DIY repairs
- maintenance
- gardening
Your previous experience is not important, as important is your attitude and willingness to support that rural project. And most importantly, being ok to stay in a remote village with limited comforts.
Experience that can be useful to have:
- helping with hand tools
- helping with power tools
- knowing how to paint
- knowing how to cut wood and assemble wooden parts
- knowing how to help with drywall and other simple masonry
- knowing how to fix tiles, and other minor things.
We will show you and guide you, yet the expectation is for proactive and interested person in this kind of activities, and the vision and values of village life. Just because it seems interesting and you want to try it doesn't mean it is a good idea or good fit. It is a slow and boring process, that takes hard-work, persistence, love, care, and patience.
We are not expecting a one-man-show, yet these are some examples of skills that will make you a good fit for this WA placement.
Languages spoken
Bulgarian: Fluent
English: Fluent
Serbian: Intermediate
Accommodation
Living conditions include small village cabin, and non-renovated 200 years old house. Power, water, internet is available, yet might be limited. Heating is with firewood.
Self-organised cooking with provided supplies in exchange of your working hours. The place is great escape, retreat, asylum away from city buzz.
Camp site is also available with limited access to comforts. Bring a tent, or we can borrow you one.
What else ...
We are hosting voluntary projects.
We can provide food and accommodation in exchange of 5 hours per day of help. Actual physical tasks.
The areas is rural and offers solitude and natural beauty of nature, forests, brooks, waterfalls etc.
In the nearby surroundings there are plenty of sights - within 1-3-5 hours of walk you can reach dolmen, Roman fortress ruins, local landmarks - lakes, rivers, peaks. Within longer travel of about 1 hour by car, or less, you can reach towns and cities, as well as the starting point of 6-8 hour hike to the highest peak on the Balkan mountain - Botev peak, 2376 m. Bulgaria is rich in mountains so if that is what you like, there are plenty of opportunities. Our seaside is about 4-5 hour drive up east.
Nearby are available hot mineral water, mountains, swimming, rivers, lakes, mountain springs, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, temazcal etc. opportunities and centres.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
For campers we are having a big garden that could take up to 3 campers, yet we are not ready with camper connections to power and water. We are working on it.
Can possibly accept pets
We are in a village, and conditions are basic. Pets should are welcome as long as they behave in a way not disturbing others and neighbours. And definitely, no pets inside the living spaces.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
