Workaway reviews, feedback and ratings - page 6

The two weeks Ahu spent with us in October were absolutely lovely. A perfect mix of work in and around the house, fun, moments of relaxation and good conversation. Her reliability, cheerful disposition, patience and sense of humour are particularly worth mentioning. We really enjoyed her stories about her roots, her interest in pistachios, and her enthusiasm during the grape harvest. Her light-hearted, witty and empathetic way of communicating was greatly appreciated. All in all, we highly recommend hosting Ahu! Thank you so much, Ahu!!! You globetrotter, feel free to come back!

I volunteered at the shelter for a month this winter and it was an experience. As mentioned in previous reviews, the work itself is very structured, usually from 8am to 1pm, only I worked mostly in the evening instead. There are a few employees who are nice but only speak French. If you already know some French and want to improve your skills, like me, that’s perfect. For people who “only” speak English it might be hard though, as nobody at work speaks English aside from the other volunteers. There are basically three different jobs to do at the refuge. One is to take care of cats and rabbits. Then you could do feeding of the birds, goats, sheep, cows, pigs, donkeys and horses, as well as cleaning the latter. The third job is the most physical one and involves cleaning the cow’s, donkey’s and some horse’s homes. To me, the work was fun but also very stressful at times. It was less because of the work itself but more because of the team’s dynamics. I felt like Sandra and her employees had some problems, also communication-wise, as there was not always someone to guide the volunteers through their tasks. From an outside perspective, I would say the refuge was understaffed a little and had team-intern issues so that the whole working atmosphere was hectic and sometimes frustrating. Opposing to other reviews, I’d say this affects the volunteers a lot and causes not having much time left to spend with the animals and get to know them so well. We volunteers lived about a kilometer away from the refuge, hence work and free time were very separated. However, it was a familial atmosphere in the house as we spent most of our free time together. Only sometimes it was exhausting to be surrounded by so many people all the time and not having personal space, especially when sleeping in the bedroom of five. But apart from that, the house is well equipped with washing machine, towels, vacuum etc. and we always received generous amounts of groceries. Avilley is on the countryside, without any real contact to the city life as there is no public transportation available at all and (during my time) almost everyone arrived without a car. Luckily, we could organise with Sandra to get a lift to Besançon on certain days, when the team picked up donations from there. Like that, I was able to visit Belfort, Besançon and Dijon on my days off. All in all, I would say this refuge is a volunteering spot with a lot of potential. Sandra is friendly and takes good care of the volunteers and their accommodation. The animals are amazing and the work can be fun but the atmosphere is sometimes really tense. You will have the chance to improve your French skills and meet a lot of people!

Everything was perfect! Thanks Momo for the 2 months we shared in your beautiful house. You’ve been a perfect host that fitted with what I was searching for, and most of all you’re a beautiful person! Lupa is amazing and lovely, I miss you all! See you soon :)

I had an amazing week staying with Lian and Kieran, along with their lovely daughter Ophelia. They are incredibly welcoming, communicative, and easygoing people. I really enjoyed all the conversations we had — we shared great moments, lots of laughs, and meaningful exchanges throughout the week. Their home is beautiful, and I found it especially interesting to learn about how their vegetable garden works. They also have a second property with a great project that I had the chance to be part of, which made the experience even more rewarding. The tasks were varied and interesting, and I learned a lot during my stay. On top of that, they are amazing cooks — I had some really delicious meals! There are also plenty of great activities to do around the area, especially beautiful hikes, which made the whole experience even better. I highly recommend staying with them — it was truly a wonderful experience.

Goodness, my time at this place was incredible. Originally thinking I would be spending only 1 month, I ended up being there for 4! I will never forget my experience at this beautiful place. During my time, I worked in reception and assisted with hotel needs. It was a special experience being able to interact with guests from all over the world that came to stay with us. And a great way to use my spanish skills! Along with hotel duties, there were many opportunities to be involved in the local community with beach cleans ups, puppy adoption fairs, and a local cultural center! Truly, I never had a boring moment. And of course being right on the beach was a HUGE plus! The hosts, Maria and Rodolfo, are extremely hospitable and accommodating. They made my Workaway experience comfortable and truly became family. They're passionate about their community and loving to all who meet them. The whole family is amazing! Including the 4 sweet dogs. 🥹 If you're looking for a Workaway with a relaxing environment, opportunity for meaningful cultural exchange, and a great location, this is it!! Thank you for all of your incredible memories!! See you soon 😊🤍

Our two week stay with Jayalakshmi was rejuvenating, joyful, and peaceful. After a chaotic month of travel it was exactly the quiet, welcoming place we needed. The property is beautiful and its abundance of trees and birdsong is a testament to the amazing work Jaylakshmi has done revitalizing the dry land. Her food is absolutely delicious and abundant (“No Jaylakshmi! We can’t eat any more!!”) and the mud/palm leaf guest house we stayed in was cool and delightful, a lovely place to rest during the heat of the afternoon. Only trouble were the mosquitos but installing nets over the beds dealt with that. Also, the three ladies who work with Jaylakshmi are absolutely delightful! (Mayalama!!) Even though they don’t speak much English, we found ways to laugh together every day. The work hours were clear and the tasks to choose from were interesting and abundant: tending to the cows, painting, making pots, irrigation, and making a video about her unique place. Thank you again Jayalakshmi for such a lovely stay!

Qué maravillosa experiencia fue quedarme con Judi y David 🫶🏻 Son personas con corazones muy lindos, que te hacen sentir en casa desde el momento en que llegas. Su relación, su manera de vivir y la forma en que tratan a los animales —todo con tanto amor— fue muy inspiradora. Un ejemplo que ilustra muy bien para mi la forma en que tratan a sus animales con tanto cariño es que cada uno de ellos tiene un nombre (gallinas, ovejas, vacas… nadie queda de lado). Me quedé diez días allí y me siento súper agradecida de haber pasado por esa casa. Fueron diez días de paz y felicidad, realmente! Aprendí mucho sobre los animales y la cultura uruguaya, comimos riquísimo porque cocinan como chefs (los afortunados que tengan la oportunidad de probar su pastel de chocolate y calabacín, disfrútenlo! 😉), compartimos muy buenos momentos juntos y con su familia, tomando mate, jugando… y me fui llena de recuerdos preciosos. Gracias por todo a los dos 🫶🏻 Sigan cuidándose mucho, cuidando de su familia y de todos los animales! Nos vemos por otro lado del mundo! ☺️❤️

Axel came for 10 days and stayed over 2 weeks to finish what he started — which already tells you a lot about him. We worked on mud plastering pillars, took a roof down, prepared the base for a floor, and moved a lot of gravel. He didn’t shy away from any of it. Just steady, consistent work, and he really cared about doing things properly. He was also just very easy to have around. Always polite and respectful with us and with the guests, and naturally found his place without any effort. It felt very comfortable from the start. He genuinely loved the animals and took care of them with attention — happily putting the sheep away in the evenings and play with the dogs. We really appreciated having him here. He’s one of those rare people you don’t come across often, and we would truly love to have him back anytime. Thank you, Axel. Axel vino por 10 días y terminó quedándose mas de 2 semanas para terminar lo que había empezado — y eso ya dice mucho de él. Trabajamos en el revoque de barro de unos pilares, desmontamos un techo, preparamos la base para un piso y movimos bastante grava. No le esquivó a nada. Trabaja de forma constante, con buena energía, y se nota que le importa hacer las cosas bien. Además, fue muy fácil convivir con él. Siempre educado y respetuoso con nosotros y con los huéspedes, y encontró su lugar de manera muy natural. Desde el principio se sintió todo muy cómodo. Le gustan de verdad los animales y los cuidó con atención — se encargaba sin problema de guardar las ovejas por la tarde y jugar con los perros. La verdad es que disfrutamos mucho tenerlo aquí. Es de esas personas que no se encuentran a menudo, y nos encantaría que volviera cuando quiera. Gracias, Axel.

I really enjoyed talking with daniel and hearing all his adventures from across latin America. They inspired me greatly. He has so many skills and so much knowledge that the wider world is losing. He is good at communicating how everything works and if you put in the time everything runs smoothly. The work was varied but was never too hard. We normally worked from 7 until 1pm, then stopped and ate the main meal for the day. After that we had free time. I felt welcomed and looked after but i also had a lot of independence. I recommend this place to people who are not afraid of living outside.

I came from France to do my volunteer work. Communication was smooth from the start, and they even picked me up at the airport. The days at the shelter were very busy. As volunteers, we helped feed the dogs, clean the kennels, assist the veterinarians, and care for the dogs by washing them, removing ticks, playing with them, brushing them, and taking them for walks. At the shelter, they take excellent care of the dogs, but our time spent cuddling them brings them so much joy every day. The three weeks at the shelter flew by, and I would have loved to stay longer with them. I would especially like to thank Abhinaya and Anas for their welcome and kindness every day, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone at the center who dedicates their lives to these animals ❤️

Alfred, hosting you on Rusinga Island was truly a wonderful experience for all of us. From the very beginning, you blended so naturally into our home and school community, bringing with you a calm, kind, and positive energy that everyone appreciated. Your interaction with the children was remarkable. You showed genuine care, patience, and respect, and it was beautiful to see how quickly the children connected with you. You didn’t just participate, you became part of their daily lives, inspiring them through your presence and support. The teachers also spoke highly of your cooperation and willingness to contribute wherever needed. Beyond your work, you were simply a great person to have around. Easygoing, respectful, and always ready to share a moment, a conversation, or a laugh. You embraced the local environment and experiences with such enthusiasm, which made your stay even more meaningful. Alfred, you will always be part of the Rusinga family. We are truly grateful for the time, effort, and heart you shared with us. You are welcome back anytime, and we would be so happy to host you again. We highly recommend Alfred to any host looking for a reliable, kind, and genuinely impactful volunteer.

Ana Maria and Roman stayed on the farm for almost 3 weeks. They were both very respectful and because Ana Maria spends a lot of time working online, Roman replaced her. Roman was super useful with manual work. He is strong and independent. They are a very private couple and didn't interact so much with the other volunteers. They also cooked separately because Roman needed a meaty diet. Ana Maria is a very special person and I'm super grateful to them for their effort. Thank you Ana Maria and Roman!

Sarah was an amazing helper. She only stayed a short time but stepped right into the routine and was super easy to be around. She is awesome at organizing and even better with the animals. Her kind and patient demeanour made it so easy for all the animals to fall in love with her. She is keen to learn anything and is so easy to be around. We had fun trying out new recipes and organizing so many things that made our lives streamline. Any host would be lucky to have her and we really hope she has the time to come back and visit us again.

Pasé 4 semanas en la escuela y fue una experiencia verdaderamente gratificante. Mitad del día se ayudaba en el dictado de las clases y mitad del día se trabajaba en el jardín. Destaco la calidez de los niños y la generosidad de los profesores. Verdaderos docentes. Para mi, la mejor forma de conocer la cultura birmana. Fede.

My very first Workaway experience in Mutare was truly unforgettable, and I can honestly say I don’t have a single negative thing to mention about the place or the people. Christa, the owner, is an incredibly brave, inspiring, and capable woman. The work she is doing for the Zimbabwean community is remarkable—she empowers local people by teaching them how to manage, run, and grow into confident and successful small entrepreneurs. It’s meaningful, impactful work that you can feel all around the place. During my stay, I helped with a variety of daily tasks such as walking the dogs, changing beds, ironing sheets, and cooking. I also had the pleasure of taking part in the cultural evening, where we made pizza together—such a fun and memorable experience! Christa is very well organised, which makes everything run smoothly. Her clear instructions and daily planning made it easy to follow and feel involved. She also generously included me in her personal activities, like yoga and swimming, which made the experience even more special. One of the highlights was definitely the people. The staff is made up of wonderful local individuals, and I really appreciated the chance to connect and spend time with them. The presence of a bohemian art group adds a unique and creative atmosphere to the place—there’s always something happening, so it’s impossible to feel bored. I wholeheartedly recommend this place to anyone looking for a meaningful, enriching, and joyful Workaway experience.

Liz, una persona super especial y amable siempre dispuesta a ayudar en todo lo que se necesitaba, muy amigable y comprensiva con los otros voluntarios. Honesta, responsable muy valienta y fuerte y se acoplo super bien con todos nosotros. 100% recomendada Pura Vida

Callaghan was a pleasant addition to our project. We didn't have the greatest weather or steady schedule while he was with us and he navigated it all in a very positive manner. He was able to flow with the changing demands of our situation and happy to put himself towards whatever needed extra efforts. I recommend him enthusiastically.

Tener a Ana con nosotros ha sido una experiencia maravillosa!! Desde el inicio se adaptó increíblemente al proyecto. Venía por unas semanas y se quedó más de 6 meses con nosotros. rápidamente pasó de ser voluntaria a formar parte del equipo central del proyecto y por ende de la familia volcánica. No tenemos más que palabras de agradecimiento hacia su esfuerzo, compromiso, dedicación, corazón, pasión, perseverancia en todas las tareas que realizó tanto en la parte agro ecológica, en bioconstrucción como en la parte de vida comunitaria. Su calidad humana es innombrable, es y será más que bienvenida siempre en esta, que ya es su casa. Gracias infinitas! Te queremos mucho carnalita y te vamos a echar mucho de menos… hasta que nos volvamos a reencontrar!

Thank you so much for having me! I stayed for about a month, and it became a truly special memory for me. Kelly is a really funny, kind and open-minded person. He always made me laugh. Christina is also very kind, calm and welcoming. She always talked to me with a smile, which made me really happy. Kelly made my time there so much fun. He took me to the ocean and to Mount Taranaki by motorbike and by car. I also enjoyed petting the friendly and lovely dogs, playing the guitar, and using the outdoor shower and spa! The work wasn’t hard. I mainly helped with gardening like picking up leaves and carrying them. The weather was nice so I really enjoyed it. I can’t thank you enough. After one month, it truly felt like home. I didn’t expect to have such a great time in New Zealand. If I come back to New Zealand, I’d love to visit you again. Thank you again, Kelly and Christina. I wish you a wonderful life!

Anjejoline stayed with us for around three months and was a really lovely person to have around the hostel. She is very friendly, easy to connect with, and brought a great energy to the place. She taught yoga during her stay and also took initiative beyond the hostel. Sometimes she organized beach yoga sessions for our guests, like morning beach yoga or sunset yoga by the sea, which people really enjoyed. She also helped a lot with our social media. She created some great content and even made a reel that reached over a million views, which helped bring a lot of attention to the hostel. Anjejoline is warm, positive, and very good with people. She connected well with both the team and the guests, and made everyone feel comfortable. We are very grateful for the time she spent with us and can definitely recommend her to other hosts.