Georg Wilhelm

Germany
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Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
La version francaise en bas...

I grew up in the north of West Germany as the oldest of five children and live since many years in the former GDR-part of eastern Germany in a little town called Belzig south of the capital Berlin.
Please don’t mind my advanced age (66). I love being in contact with young people, I am still fit and healthy and interested in many different things. Having reached retirement age after a busy professional life and three decades of support in building up an ecovillage near Berlin, I’m going to start this year with something I haven’t done in my lifetime so far: Doing a long journey outside Europe. I have to do it on budged level, as my pension is quite small, and I have chosen West Africa to do this!

I will do this tour solo most of the time, in my 18-year-old little Renauld Kangoo-car, which I turned into a mini-camper; starting in July 2023 and heading back to Europe - hopefully - in May 2024. I'd like to get to know as much as I can about culture and people of the Countries I travel through, and I am prepared to work and to help wherever I can.

The first 15 years of my professional life I worked as a teacher for children aged 6 to 16, mainly on language (German, English), math and technics. For different reasons I changed job and worked again as a craftsman, doing different kinds renovation work on buildings: carpentry, dry walling, ceramic tiling, wall papering, painting, decorating ...
And second job I worked as a free lance photografer and keeper of a media office for about ten years.
Since many years I live in an ecovillage named ZEGG (see: www.zegg.de), where I have been a member of the board and management-team for 8 years. I am married and have two adult daughters (and two grand-children).
I love to hike, to bike, to read and to meet with friends and workmates. I like cooking, especially for big groups (20 -50 people). I love to hear and to make music (guitar, but only beginners’ level) and have sung for many years in different choirs (church and others). What's coming next - I am very curious about it.

Version francaise:
J'ai grandi dans le nord de l'Allemagne de l'Ouest en tant qu'aîné de cinq enfants et j'ai vécu de nombreuses années dans l'ancienne RDA de l'Allemagne de l'Est, dans une petite ville appelée Belzig, au sud de la capitale Berlin.
Ne vous souciez pas de mon âge avancé (66 ans). J'aime être en contact avec les jeunes, je suis toujours en forme et en bonne santé et je m'intéresse à beaucoup de choses différentes. Ayant atteint l’âge de la retraite après une vie professionnelle bien remplie et trois décennies d’accompagnement dans la construction d’un écovillage près de Berlin, je vais commencer cette année avec quelque chose que je n’ai pas fait de ma vie jusqu’à présent : faire un long voyage hors d’Europe. Je dois le faire au niveau budgétaire, car ma pension est assez petite, et j'ai choisi l'Afrique de l'Ouest pour le faire !

Je ferai cette tournée en solo la plupart du temps, dans ma petite voiture Renauld Kangoo de 18 ans, que j'ai transformée en mini-camping-car ; à partir de juillet 2023 et de retour en Europe - je l'espère - en mai 2024. J'aimerais en savoir le plus possible sur la culture et les gens des pays que je traverse, et je suis prêt à travailler et à aider partout où je voyage. Je peux.

Les 15 premières années de ma vie professionnelle, j'ai travaillé comme enseignante auprès d'enfants âgés de 6 à 16 ans, principalement en langue (allemand, anglais), en mathématiques et en techniques. Pour différentes raisons, j'ai changé de métier et travaillé à nouveau comme artisan, effectuant différents types de travaux de rénovation de bâtiments : menuiserie, cloison sèche, carrelage en céramique, papier peint, peinture, décoration...
Et deuxième emploi, j'ai travaillé comme photographe indépendant et responsable d'un bureau de presse pendant une dizaine d'années.
Depuis de nombreuses années, je vis dans un écovillage nommé ZEGG (voir : www.zegg.de), où je suis membre du conseil d'administration et de l'équipe de direction depuis 8 ans. Je suis marié et j'ai deux filles adultes (et deux petits-enfants).
J'aime faire de la randonnée, faire du vélo, lire et rencontrer des amis et des collègues de travail. J'aime cuisiner, surtout pour les grands groupes (20 à 50 personnes). J’aime entendre et faire de la musique (guitare, mais uniquement niveau débutant) et je chante depuis de nombreuses années dans différentes chorales (églises et autres). Qu'est-ce qui va suivre - je suis très curieux à ce sujet.
Interests
Van life
Hitchhiking
Outdoor activities
DIY & crafts
Photography
Carpentry
Self development
Nature
Fitness
Camping
Sustainability
Books
Hiking
Technology
Writing
Music
Culture
History
Farming
Blogging

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Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner
Italian: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Art Projects
Charity Work
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Hospitality/Tourism
Being an elderly companion
Able to teach about:
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Languages
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Teaching
More details about your skills
I am experienced in construction-work of different kinds: brigg-laying, wood-working, painting, plastering, and in team-leading, I often worked with groups of volonteers.
And I did a lot of teaching, especially in primary schools, and also teaching german as a foreign language.
I am experience in maintainance work of different kind, as my wife run a guesthouse for many years and I helped her a lot.
And I think I am good in planning and organising and capable of a lot of computer work (MS Office)
And besides I am interested in politics, history, culture and music - I love singing, but my guitar-playing unfortunately is still in beginners-state.
Age
67
What else ...
I like hiking, bycicling, singing, chatting with friends and getting to know people and countries. I live in a big ecovillage-community and I love that. And I like to play volleyball.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

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1 Mar 2024

Left by host (Agroecology for sustainable ...) for Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm)

En novembre 2023, nous avons accueilli Georg à notre ferme. C'est un très bon travailleur, autonome et dynamique. Très bon observateur, il voit où son aide peut être utile et se charge de rendre des services dès que possible. Il a aussi cuisiné de très bon plats et partager sa culture. Je vous conseille vraiment de recevoir Georg chez vous, il… read more

(Excellent )

26 Jan 2024

Left by Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm) for host (Agroecology for sustainable ...)

In November 2023, I spent a week as a workawayer with Bourama. The opportunity had only arisen at short notice, so I was bound by time, otherwise I would have liked to stay longer. Bourama and his girlfriend Eva, who comes from Belgium, really impressed me! They intend to make a real contribution to Senegal, are politically committed and although… read more many other options were open to Borama, who has a degree, he has decided to rebuild this farm, which has been in the family for a long time but was in danger of falling into disrepair, to introduce ecological farming methods, take the initiative and stay in the country - even though it would probably be relatively easy for him to get the coveted 'ticket to Europe' through his girlfriend.
Life on the farm is very simple - and very beautiful! Electricity is only available when the sun is shining or all the batteries are charged, 220 V electricity is not available at all. Internet access is also only available via the telephone network. The work is varied and the working atmosphere is relaxed. Guests' initiative and ideas are welcomed. There are many topics to discuss over a meal together, personal matters and exchanges about the country and its people, the host and the guest, both of whom are really curious to learn about the lives of their guests. You live in the middle of nature, the next village four kilometres away on a bumpy track. Für Menschen, die mit all diesen Bedingungen gut sein können, kann ich einen Workaway-Aufenthalt auf der Farm wärmstens empfehlen!
Georg

Ich war im November 2023 für eine Woche als Workawayer bei Bourama. Die Möglichkeit hatte sich erst kurzfristig ergeben, deshalb war ich zeitlich gebunden, sonst wäre ich gerne länger geblieben. Bourama und seine aus Belgien stammende Freundin Eva haben mich sehr beeindruckt! Sie haben vor, wirklich einen Beitrag zu leisten für den Senegal, sind politisch engagiert, und obgleich für Borama, der studiert hat, viele andere Möglichkeiten offen stünden, hat er sich entschieden, diese Farm, die seit langem im Familienbesitz ist, aber zu verkommen drohte, neu aufzubauen, ökologische Methoden der Bewirtschaftung einzuführen, Initiative zu ergreifen und im Land zu bleiben – auch wenn für ihn über seine Freundin das begehrte ‚Ticket nach Europa‘ vermutlich relativ leicht zu haben wäre.
Das Leben auf der Farm ist sehr einfach – und sehr schön! Strom gibt es nur, wenn die Sonne scheint oder alle Batterien geladen sind, 220 V- Strom gar nicht. Auch Internetzugang ist nur übers Telefonnetz zu haben. Die Arbeiten sind vielfältig und der Arbeitsmodus ist entspannt. Initiative und Ideen Gastes werden begrüßt. Beim gemeinsamen Essen gibt es viele Themen zu besprechen, Persönliches und Austausch über Land und Leute, des Gastgebers und des Gastes, die beiden sind wirklich neugierig, auch über das Leben ihrer Gäste etwas zu erfahren. Man lebt voll in der Natur, der nächste Ort vier Kilometer holprige Piste entfernt. Für Menschen, die mit all diesen Bedingungen gut sein können, kann ich einen Workaway-Aufenthalt auf der Farm wärmstens empfehlen!
Georg

(Very good )

28 Feb 2024

Left by Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm) for host (Teach Spanish or German, IT ...)

Firstly the positive side: Levi, the contact person for the volunteer work, is a very good guy! Totally friendly, committed, accommodating, simply great. Unfortunately, his work is mostly remote from the school, he works full-time in a building materials store that is somehow related to the school. He gave me great tips for excursions, invited me… read more to visit his sisters in the Volta Delta and also to his home. Thanks to him, I got to know more about Ghana.
At the actual place of work things for me got more difficult. It is the 'Wrights International School', a private school 1st to 9th grade with a well-heeled clientele, two kilometres from Levi's building materials store. After all the almost euphoric reviews posted for this host, I had imagined it would be easier as it turned out to be. Almost 1000 € flight costs, plus 150 for the visa, plus 100 registration fee for the school are a lot of money - maybe I would have preferred to spend it differently if I had known beforehand what I know now.
Everyone is really nice and friendly there, and the amount of work expected is very manageable. I only had to teach for one or two hours each day and was otherwise offered to observe as much as I wanted. As there was no German teacher at the time of my visit, four weeks in February 24, there were no German lessons on the programme for me, but 'general assistance'. Now the lessons here are very teacher-centred, classic frontal teaching - I never really realised what my 'assistance' role was supposed to be. I felt welcome everywhere, but never really wanted or invited, and I mostly just sat there in silence. When I went into action, I was often afraid of being overbearing towards the teaching staff.
And for the lessons I had to give, for which I was completely free to choose my topic, I found many of them really difficult. I usually had to teach in seven different classes for 60 Minutes per week, and in all cases exept the first one I had to do it alone, without any assistance of regular teachers. I am a teacher myself with more than ten years of professional experience, so perhaps other volunteers are not offered this.
Discipline is very strongly enforced at the school. There are lots of rules and many punishments for breaking the rules, and there are often painful beatings with the school ruler. I had no stick and no possibility of punitive measures. And for me I found the discipline necassary for teaching in all classes to be almost subterranean. Shouting, running in class, having fights, very little concentration, very little listening, pupils mostly speaking with such a low voice I almost could not understand them! I think my lessons were good, interrupted with plays and music and picture viewing, and pupils seemed to like it, as they often asked me to come. But nevertheless I often left class drenched in sweat and was glad I had done it.
And so I suspect there is a connection between the high discipline that is literally imposed to pupils in normal lessons and the very low level of internal, self-guided discipline among the pupils when I was teaching.
And I didn't have the feeling that I could talk openly about these issues with any of the teaching staff. Nobody ever asked about my experiences. Only with the very friendly cook there was always an interesting exchange of ideas.
Apart from that: the accommodation for the volunteers is in a 18m²-room on the 2nd floor of the school. I was the only volunteer at the time, so I had the room to myself. When all three beds are occupied, it gets pretty cramped I think. And the food - some reviews were almost euphoric in their praise - is, well, OK. Mostly rice with a dollop of sauce, sometimes with a small piece of meat, or spaghetti with a few vegetables. But vegetables are very rare, and there was never any salad. So it's not going to be famous.
Nevertheless it was an interesting experience. I got to know a lot about myself, also about my shadow-sides. And I found enough time to read several interesting books, or listen to them, so I do not regret anything. More details on https://georgsreiseblog.com

(Good )

19 Dec 2023

Left by Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm) for host (Social project helping women ...)

I was a volunteer with the 'Association' for three weeks - first for a fortnight at the Centre in Bountu n'Dour, a small town just south of St. Louis, and then for one week at the Centre in St. Louis, although my field of work was not there, but at the neighbouring ecole elementaire. As I am a handyman, travelled with my own car and had a lot of… read more

(Excellent )

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1 Mar 2024

Left by host (Agroecology for sustainable ...) for Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm)

(Excellent )

26 Jan 2024

Left by Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm) for host (Agroecology for sustainable ...)

(Very good )

28 Feb 2024

Left by Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm) for host (Teach Spanish or German, IT ...)

(Good )

19 Dec 2023

Left by Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm) for host (Social project helping women ...)

(Excellent )

30 Sep 2023

Left by host (Real experience while helping ...) for Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm)

We have got to know Mr. Lohmann, when he volunteered at our school for 3 weeks. He helped us a lot with one to one classes, taught German classes, and worked a lot on the volunteer apartment.
The students liked or even loved the way, Mr. Lohmann did his teachings, combining methodological strength of teaching with an open-minded and cheerful… read more

(Excellent )

23 Sep 2023

Left by Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm) for host (Real experience while helping ...)

a very enriching experience for me. I stayed there for three weeks and had the fortune to be given a full class of Students for learning German on Level A2, as I am professional teacher that was possible and I liked it very much (the normal for volunteers is to be an assistant-teacher and give one:one-classes). I had very intense times with the… read more

(Excellent )

1 Aug 2023

Left by host (Help two ex-nomads to settle ...) for Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm)

En français après l anglais.
Highly Highly recommended
We were really pleased to welcome Georg in our home. Of course he has abilities in construction but it's not only that. He is really independent not only because he travel with his tools and kangoo home. He s really interested by local culture as in the party style and the spiritual way. We… read more

(Excellent )

1 Aug 2023

Left by Workawayer (Georg Wilhelm) for host (Help two ex-nomads to settle ...)

It is just one week, that I spent with Johanna and Nicolas, and it seemed to be a much longer time. They are wonderful friendly and caring people, and you feel home at once. Every event, they have been invited to, I was invited as well, and I got to know many interesting people also in the neighbourhood. Luckily the whole greater family (nieces,… read more

(Excellent )

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