updated   Last minute

Learn new skills on our community renovation project in Palermo, Sicily, Italy

  • Favourited 905 times
  • Last activity: 29 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Renovation project in central Palermo with young energetic group of people who are curious to learn new things every day.

    We are renovating an old apartment in central Palermo and have a mixed schedule and various initiatives each day. We are looking for people who are motivated, hard working and keen to learn to be involved and help us realise the projects potential.

    We are all avid travellers who has been to well over 100 countries between us. We are looking forward to welcome volunteers to our community and are looking forward to get to know you. We will do tasks together during the day and, if you want to, we are keen to also socialise in the evening on the terrace or do some activities around Palermo.

    Our project is dynamic and high energy and we need people who want to contribute to that and get involved in the high pace. Although we have a lot of interests outside of the project, during the week we seek satisfaction through the progress of the project and as such you can expect hard but rewarding work.

    Apart from socialising and sharing our life story, we also hope that any volunteer who joins us will get an idea of what it's like to renovate an old building and hopefully learn some basic building skills. Furthermore we hope to give an insight into Palermo's life and society. The building is in a very authentic area of Palermo where families have lived for generations. Walking down the street seeing the local fruit vendor yelling out his prices, woman on the balconies hanging their wash and men getting espresso and talking outside the bar with a cornetti, it truly feels like a postcard of Italy.

    We offer places to people who we feel are a good fit for the group, as places are vacated by existing volunteers. As we generally have 3-4 volunteers this happens most weeks, but we can only offer places around 2-3 weeks prior to arrival. If you are someone who needs to plan months in advance we are sorry we can't facilitate that commitment. We encourage people interested in joining us to write between ten to twenty days prior to their arrival, as this is the usual timeframe where we know of our upcoming vacancies.

    Warm welcome to join!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    DIY and building projects
    General Maintenance
  • 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

    Everything is based in central Palermo so you will have convenient access to the city centre and all the attractions of Palermo.

    We hope that any volunteer who joins us gets an idea of what it's like to renovate an old building and hopefully learn some basic building practices. Furthermore we hope to give an insight into Palermo life and society. The building is in a very authentic area of Palermo where families have lived for generation. Walking down the street seeing the local fruit vendor yelling out his prices, woman on the balconies hanging their wash and men getting espresso and cornetti while talking outside the bar, it truly feels like a postcard of Italy.

  • Help

    Help

    We are doing a complete renovation of an old apartment in central Palermo, and are basically changing everything. The project is a dynamic project and every day is different. Some examples for tasks are: painting, woodwork, mixing cement, moving materials, plastering, etc. (although we are open to applicants with appliable skills, volunteers are not expected to have any pre-existing knowledge). What we can promise is if you want to be involved and learn, we will have tasks for you.

    As we live as a community everyone is expected to contribute to the living situation. But we are also open to applicants who feel that they can specifically contribute with cooking or cleaning.

    Volunteers help in half day shifts, which we believe is the most beneficial for everyone to be as productive as possible. Every new volunteer will be provided a full day induction to help them integrate into the project. During work hours we are committed and try to make as much progress as possible, and we are looking for people that feel motivated by the progress of our hard work every day.

    As we are renovating it is inevitable that it is dusty and we get dirty every day. If you join our project you should bring at least one set of clothes for working, that you are not afraid to ruin.

    There are many types of offerings available on work away and it is fundamental that the right hosts and volunteers match. Some projects are more slow paced and relaxing, our project is very high paced and intense. There are great benefits to both depending on what you are looking for and we encourage applications from people who are willing to get dirty, work hard, learn new skills and feel a sense of accomplishment within a rapidly developing project.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Italian: Intermediate

    This host offers a language exchange
    As the group is very international we predominantly communicate in English. However we also speak English, Italian, French, Swedish and some Spanish.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Basic shared apartment in central Palermo. There is a small courtyard, a fully equipped kitchen, small bathroom and living area where we socialise. The sleeping arrangement is in a large room with several beds where all those working on the project will stay. The room is shared dormitory style arrangement, and each person will have their own bed.

    All basic amenities are provided for the duration of your stay. The kitchen has all amenities and ingredients that can be used by the volunteers. Usually we aim to cook together in the evening and have some scheduled group meals. Each person is expected to take initiative with group meals and is encouraged to bring their own influence to the meals. Individuals are able to make alternate plans but when we eat together we will prepare meals communally.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Palermo is an exciting tourist destination and has a lot to offer visitors. It is a great place to explore, with numerous historic sights, vibrant street food scene and proximity to great beaches.

    If you have some climbing experience or are interested to learn please let us know as always keen to have someone on belay and do some climbing at nearby outdoor sport climbing location.

  • 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

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

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

Host ref number: 933628617793

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