Help with household tasks and planting vegetables on the stunning island of La Palma in the Canaries

Details

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  Description

  We are Anna, Jesus and Juniper (our 5 year old daughter) and we have a house and piece of land in the wild and beautiful Garafia region of the stunning island of La Palma in the Canaries. La Palma is one of the least touristy islands and Garafia is a remote spot, well off the beaten track, but it has quite a big 'alternative' international community, so there are plenty of opportunities to socialise with like-minded people.
  
  Anna's background is in organic food production, with 20 years experience, and Jesus is a carpenter, timber framer, cabinet maker green woodworker and permaculture designer, with extensive knowledge of building homes and funky spaces.We are using the land for certified organic food production, following loosely Syntropic Agriculture and Regenerative Ag principles. There are sweet chestnuts, walnuts, figs, almonds, and some plums, quince and pear in need of grafting (we've made a start this winter) We have been planting lots of trees (for food production and also native species) the last 2 winters including some unusual fruit trees and native trees. Our main focus will be on developing and expanding the forest garden, though we grow annual crops as well. We produce vegetables for our own needs.
  
  
  We've almost finished refurbishing the 160 year old stone house and we are using cob in the interior at the moment. Also a full kitchen will be built in June. At the moment, facilities are basic although we are working to improve them- we don't yet have a proper bathroom and the shower is a hosepipe for now ...Accommodation would be in a beautiful cabin-tree house. We are at 1000 metres so the nights can be cold in winter and spring (cabin has a woodburner)
  
  We are vegetarian and will provide wholesome, organic meals based on the abundant and varied local produce. The island is a paradise for botanists, birdwatchers and walkers. It has many climates from subtropical lowland to alpine mountains (2450m) and ecosystems range from brand new arid lava fields to dripping wet cloud forest. Almost every winter we get snow on the top of the island...
  All the very best of being in the Canaries without the horrors of mass tourism...
  Spanish and English spoken, also some French.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  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

  We both have over 20 years of experience in our fields (gardening and woodworking) and we love sharing it. We speak native English and Spanish between us and some French. Also we have quite a bit of knowledge of the local flora and fauna and know the island pretty well.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We need help with land clearance and maintenance (using a strimmer) All kinds of gardening- sowing, planting, weeding, harvesting, pruning, grafting, installing/maintaining irrigation lines. Building and carpentry - we usually have at least one building project on the go at any one time! We use a variety of techniques eg cob, timber frame, green roofs, stonework.
  
  We produce vegetables for our own needs.
  
  Help looking after our daughter is always appreciated, as is help with cooking (we love to learn new recipes from our volunteers) and washing up.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  A wooden cabin/treehouse 200 metres away from the main house in a really quiet valley. Access on foot only. No electricity, cold running water and basic compost toilet also a woodburner. Meals can be prepared in the cabin (gas hobs) or eaten in the main house as preferred.

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  What else ...

  It is a remote place- the nearest bus stop is a 30 minute walk, although once there it is quite well connected. Hitchhiking is commonplace. Great hiking locally.

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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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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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