Workaway reviews, feedback and ratings - page 4

We had a wonderful time at the sanctuary. The place is truely a little paradise and an inspiring example of what a more compassionate world would look like. The work flow was very doable, not intense. And it leaves enough time to enjoy the company of the animals, give them some extra love and attention, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Just by walking from the quinta you can access beautiful trails, waterfalls, small villages with cafés. Big thanks to Madalena, Ivone and Joep for being kind, generous hosts, we had an unforgettable experience! Already missing all the animals :')

Los dias compartidos con Nana y Max fueron increibles, es dificil reducir en un texto la cantidad de cosas que pasaron en estos dias. Desde el primer dia se unieron a esta gran familia coolaborando con todo y siempre ofreciendo su ayuda para las tareas. Sin dudas de los mejores voluntarios que tuvimos. Su hermosa energia quedara siempre en este lugar, solo decirles gracias por haber dejado su huella en este lugar. Seran siempre bienvenidos! Un gran abrazo a los 2

We hosted Dodi for about two weeks in March and it was a super positive experience! He immediately integrated with our family and the other volunteers and we had beautiful convivial days together. Edoardo is a very nice guy, clear in his communication and very active in the jobs that have been proposed. He helped clean the terraces and cut wood, in the daily chores of the house during meals and then in the garden to prepare the land (lots of manure wheelbarrows haha) and plant the new summer vegetables. He is a very smiling person and always trying to find a common ground or laugh about something, very important skills when you are in a group! Super recommended, can't wait to meet Dodi again!! Grazie!!

I spent five valuable weeks with Pedro and Lucre, and the other volunteers who stayed at the same time. They had a wonderful place to park in the garden with my motorhome that could connect to the electricity. I learnt a lot of Spanish while I was there, as they are very used to teach Spanish vocabulary and grammar to workawayers who stay. I also learnt many delicious recipies from Lucre, and she is very considerate of people's food preferences. The work in the garden was enjoyable, fair and I learnt a lot about the principles Pedro has to create such a beautiful garden. It can be tricky to do the tasks in the way he does, and he gives a lot of instructions. Pedro and Lucre took me along with another workawayer to attend a local event, meet their friends in the next town, and to play bingo with them. This was really fun. On a free day Pedro also arranged a hiking trip to some magnificent caves in the area, and taught me a lot about the history and plants there. The surrounding area is perfect for a workaway: it is close to a small town where you can go to a market and other shops, you can easily get to bigger cities such as Valencia and Alicante, and there are nice running, hiking and biking routes. So if you're looking for a place to learn Spanish and to learn about gardening, this is definitely the place!

Alba Maria, I have to say—working with you is an absolute game-changer. You bring such a rare combination of creativity and precision to the table. Your ability to see the big picture while sweating the small details is what made this project so successful. Thank you for not just meeting the standard, but for raising the bar entirely. I’m genuinely inspired by how you handle challenges with such grace and determination

Luna, I really just wanted to give you some well-deserved recognition. You consistently go above and beyond, but what stands out to me most is your integrity. You do the right thing even when it’s the hard thing, and you approach every challenge with optimism and grit. Whether it’s your sharp problem-solving skills or just the kindness you show everyone in the room, you make this a better place. Thank you for being you.

Cristina, what would I do without you? Honestly. Your brain works in such a brilliant way—you see solutions that no one else does, and you bring this amazing energy that makes even the hard days feel fun. Thank you for being so generous with your time and your talent. You’re a total gem, and I’m so grateful to have you in my corner

Jennifer, I’m not sure if you hear this enough, but you are absolutely crushing it. Your energy is contagious, and your work ethic is unmatched. Thanks for being such a rockstar—I’m lucky to have you on my team!

Julien, I am consistently impressed by your leadership style. You have this rare ability to listen deeply while still steering the ship in the right direction. The way you handle pressure with grace and make sure everyone feels heard is something I genuinely admire. You don’t just manage tasks; you inspire the people around you. Keep doing what you’re doing—it’s making a huge difference

Kat, I just wanted to take a moment to say how incredible it is to work with you. Your ability to tackle complex problems with a calm, strategic mindset is truly a superpower. On the project, your attention to detail and proactive communication didn’t just meet the deadline—it raised the bar for the entire team. You have a knack for making everyone around you better. Thank you for your consistency, your creativity, and for being such a reliable force

I had the pleasure and the privilege of volunteering here for one month, and it was an incredibly meaningful and enriching experience for me. From the very first day, I was introduced on the ground to the different projects and activities I could be involved in. The team is very open to ideas and suggestions, which made me feel immediately included and valued. One of the projects that impressed me the most was the program supporting people living with HIV. They organize regular community meetings in different villages to raise awareness, provide education, and create a safe space for discussion and mutual support. HIV is still a very real issue in the area, and this project allows you to truly understand its impact. We had the chance to listen to people’s experiences and offer both practical and emotional support, which was very powerful. We also visited the Children Corner, a place where a group of dedicated young women support children from challenging backgrounds who struggle to attend school. They provide basic education, teach practical skills, organize activities, and offer a safe environment where children can simply be children. They also try to address family-related issues, working with parents and sometimes local authorities. Being part of this project was deeply touching and eye-opening. Another key project, and the one we dedicated most of our time to, was the pre-school. During the first days, we visited this kindergarten and quickly realized that the structure was not suitable in terms of safety, functionality, and overall environment. The building also included a small clinic, mainly serving pregnant women, people living with HIV, and children. Together, we decided to significantly improve this project. A crucial aspect—something they consistently prioritize—was the involvement of the local community and collaboration with local workers. By combining our skills with those of the community, we were able to transform both the pre-school and the clinic into much more appropriate and welcoming spaces. It was physically demanding work, but incredibly rewarding. We could clearly see how even small improvements had a real impact on the children’s lives and, more broadly, on the entire community. What truly stands out about this place is the motivation and dedication of Anderson and the whole team. They are open-minded, hardworking, and genuinely committed to improving their community step by step. Anderson, in particular, is a very capable and organized person who truly knows what he is doing, and his leadership plays a key role in making the projects effective and sustainable. Personally, I feel I gave my best during this experience, but I received even more in return. I learned so much from the people I met—the sense of community, the willingness to help others without expecting anything back, the ability to appreciate simple things, and to smile in every situation. This experience has truly changed me, and I would recommend it to anyone who feels ready. On a practical note, I stayed at Anderson’s home with his family. They are wonderful people—kind, welcoming, and respectful of personal space. Of course, living conditions are not the same as in Western countries, so it requires some adaptability. However, I believe this is an essential part of the experience and a great way to integrate into the local community. The village is beautiful, especially because of the people who live there. If you are open and respectful, you will feel more than welcome. During the week, you are expected to work and be proactive, while also adapting to the local rhythm and culture. Weekends are free and offer great opportunities to explore Malawi. Despite being a relatively small country, there are many places worth visiting, such as the Zomba Plateau, Majete Wildlife Reserve for a safari, or the city of Blantyre. I traveled using local transport, which I would definitely recommend—it’s safe with the right precautions and gives you a much deeper understanding of the country. If you decide to volunteer with them, I would strongly encourage you to be open-minded but also proactive. The organization is constantly evolving and values feedback from volunteers. One suggestion I shared was to create a clearer list of tasks for each project—even simple ones—so that new volunteers can quickly understand how to contribute in a practical way and avoid wasting time, which can happen at times as the pace and working style are different and may feel a bit less efficient at times, but is something they are actively working to improve. Volunteering here allows you to give a lot, but also to receive even more. You will return home with unforgettable memories, valuable lessons, and, like me, you might leave a piece of your heart in Chikwawa. I am deeply grateful to the entire team and the community for this experience.

Paul's communication was really good. He helped us a lot at the university by giving some time to finish the workaway together. He's nice and had a great behavior. We recommend him.

I had a wonderful time with the family and felt very welcomed from the start. Nora was especially supportive and always helped me whenever I wasn’t sure about something. Of course, life with five children can be stressful, but everyone was so kind that I truly enjoyed my time there. Although the first days were a bit challenging, the trust the family placed in me helped me settle in. Overall, it was a great experience that I’m very grateful for, would definitely recommend and do again.

Hermosa vivencia en Río de los Sauces. Un lugar tranquilo, en un entorno natural y con el río muy cercano. Me quedé más tiempo de lo que había planeado, lo que ya dice mucho de la experiencia. Emi es muy atenta y cercana, y se relaciona muy bien con los voluntarios. Además, me mostró otros lugares y me integró, presentándome a sus amigos. Pude contribuir en distintos proyectos, como reconstruir un muro de piedras y cemento, realizar pinturas, rehacer la estructura de la huerta y arreglar canteros, entre otras actividades. Estoy muy agradecido por la experiencia vivida y por todo lo que pude aprender sobre las costumbres y la vida cotidiana en un lugar así. Le deseo mucho éxito en sus proyectos!

Olli was with us for two weeks (three weeks?) and helped us around the house in our various projects. They worked together with other guests we had, joined us in demonstrations, cooked meals and were a valuable part of our group. Thank you for staying with us and see you again!!

Staying at Hannah's place is an experience I'd recommend to anyone - she is so good for giving you a taste of what life is like in this corner of Norway by inviting you to join her on her day to day life, which is something I really appreciated, getting to see the culture of a place on day to day level. The work is interesting and varied and the hours are very fair. Hannah is also direct and good at communicating what needs to be done, and makes it easy for you to ask questions when you're unsure of something - even though she honestly seems to know everything about everything, she's very willing to share that knowledge and is very open to listening to your opinion too. There's lots of beautiful walks here, and Hannah has lots of interesting books to dive into. This is a great place for learning how to be happy in your own company, but I do recommend bringing some hobby stuff with you to keep you entertained on rainy days! All in all, a really great experience that I hope to come back to someday! Thanks Hannah :)

Staying at Sylvie's place was very nice. Such a. beautiful region with some many lovely cities around (Libourne, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, Créon...). Sylvie is a very nice welcoming and easy going woman. I did different tasks in her garden and in her house. The warm spring weather was on our sides. Thanks for everything Sylvie it was really nice

My time as a volunteer with Heidi and Martin has been very special to me. They are a very kind and wise couple. From the beginning, they made me feel comfortable and part of the team. Working on a farm and outside, the tasks are often physical, but it is always possible to do by yourself. The instructions are clear and simple, which I really liked. The most important thing is to enjoy working in nature—if you do, you will really enjoy it. Heidi and Martin are also people you can easily talk to and make fair agreements with. There is also time to rest and enjoy some free time. The garden is beautiful and very big; I could walk, write, do yoga, play with Bilma (a very affectionate and intelligent dog), and go cycling. The food was very good—homemade and healthy. Heidi puts a lot of love into everything she does! :) If you want to go somewhere to learn about sustainable living, plants, farming, and more, this is the place for you. Heidi and Martin know a lot and are always happy to share and listen. I hope to come back someday. Once again, thank you for everything!

I had a really nice time in this hostel. From the first day I felt good and welcome, it was very easy to stay there. The work was simple: laundry,do the beds, taking out the trash and talking and socialize with guests. Nothing hard, everything very chill and fair. V and Kanoon are really nice people, kind and relaxed. You can see they care a lot about the hostel and the people. I was happy to help them. I learned a lot of card games and I really enjoyed the day trips. The best one was going to the stadium to watch Chiang Rai United, now it’s my second team for sure 🪲🧡 The 3 weeks went very fast, so for me this means it was a very good experience. Leaving was a bit sad because it really feels like home. I recommend this place if you want something social, easy and relaxed. i will start doing trash tours everywhere i go just to feel something haha grazie dell'opportunità e spero di tornare presto🙏🙏

Markus es una persona maravillosa, hospitalaria, amable y de gran corazón. Me explicó detalladamente cómo llegar al campamento y pidió a otros voluntarios que me recibieran. Me alojó en una casa preciosa y cómoda con vistas espectaculares. El trabajo no fue duro y el entorno era muy bonito; la naturaleza era diversa, el río y las cascadas, ¡una maravilla! Markus me llevó de excursión a la ciudad y me habló de la historia y las tradiciones del país. Fue muy agradable estar en el campamento y ayudar un poco. ¡Mucha suerte en tus proyectos, todo lo mejor, un abrazo fraternal a través del tiempo y el espacio! P.D.: Un abrazo aparte para tus maravillosos y alegres perros y tu gallo ;-)))