Leah

Travel information

I am currently

Description

🌊 Home-sitting & NGO work (youth-led and community-led projects).

🌄I'm 43, independent, confident and currently live in rural mountainous solitude so no place is too remote for me to help out, even if I'm on my own.

🌻WHATSAPP: I do have WhatsApp, but I prefer to communicate on here first until we've agreed initial details and dates (I can check profiles to remind me who is who that way).

🎓QUALIFICATIONS & CAREER: I've studied a BSc Hons Conservation, PgDip Youth & Community Work, PgCert, NVQ-IAG, ICF-ACTP, etc. I've worked extensively as a community projects officer, volunteer and student placements manager and in international youth development for social and environmental impact (working across 32 different countries in-person or virtually - see photos).

For over 15-years I've also managed peer-mentoring programmes across the globe (ICF-ACTP coaching & mentoring). I've lived in Ecuador, Uganda, Kenya and Zambia for voluntary work. I have also helped develop two ecotourism projects, both in Kenya, and I'm passionate about including local communities and their local culture into sustainable tourism and ecotourism programmes. Currently, I'm also part of the editing team for a peer reviewed British academic journal.

🦎ANIMAL CARE EXPERIENCE: I've looked after ALL kinds of plants and animals over my lifetime and have a National Diploma in Animal Care with distinction (from 25 years ago!).

🦅NOTE: I don't drive. In case of a veterinary emergency, you will need to provide me with someone that can help.

🧅MY COMMITMENT TO YOU & VICE VERSA: If I'm house-sitting your home will be just how you left it, or even better; I love to clean. I can keep you updated whilst you're away with a daily message, videos and photos via WhatsApp if you'd like that. I'd be super grateful if you leave me with some basic ingredients to cook with though, e.g. oil, salt, spices, potatoes, onions, etc.

I need a private bedroom. I will not share a bedroom.

🌳MY PERSONALITY & VALUES: You've probably guessed a lot about me already by now. I'm super friendly and smiley (well I think I am haha) and I love hearing about people's cultures and traditions, trying them out too. I do like to keep myself to myself to myself sometimes as well, unless I'm directly working with people. I'm more than happy to meet via Zoom or GoogleMeet on video if you'd like to check that I'm right for you first; if I'm not the right match I will not be offended at all - it's best to make sure I'm the right person for you before I arrive, and vice versa, hence all of this extensive content. If you're in Asturias I may even be able to meet you beforehand.

🍷🧀I do not smoke and I have never done any drugs of any kind (I'm respectful of everyone's individual lifestyle and choices!). I do love a wine/cider with food, or a beer on a sunny day; that's my vice (plus local cheese). In my personal life I eat local and seasonal (I have absolutely no dietary requirements - I eat what I'm given and what we have access to, within reason - I will not eat Octopus as they're one of my favourite animals). Although I'm not vegetarian (I used to be until I moved here), I will absolutely respect and live by the rules in your home and eat only vegetarian or vegan food, if required.

🌺YOUR ACCOMMODATION & MY STAY: I'm used to living off-grid and staying in very basic conditions (an acceptable standard of cleanliness is important to me, though!): outside compost loo, mud huts, tents, candle light only, cold water from a well, bucket shower etc. are normal for me through my work overseas across Africa and Latin America. However, I do prefer to sleep on a "good" mattress.

🦜ADAPTING: I've lived/stayed alone with groups of tribal people in Ecuador, Uganda, Kenya, Peru and Zambia so I've learnt to adapt to culture, traditions, customs and diets quickly.

🔏YOUR PRIVACY: I don't use social media - I do not have Facebook, Instagram, TikTok etc. I will never share photos, location or videos of your home, land, animals or property. I value privacy, it's one of my top five core values. I will never share images of your home.

🐓ALLERGIES: I am NOT allergic to bee stings or any animals of any kind. However, I am VERY allergic to feather pillows/duvets that I sleep on; strangely, when they're on the actual living birds feathers don't seem to bother me!

Wahhh, that was a lot, but I hope it was helpful and will support you to decide if you'd like me to look after your home, animals, plants, projects etc.

I'd love to help out if I'm right for you and you're right for me. 😊
Thank you so much,
Leah🙏🏼

Interests

Writing

Self development

Sustainability

Plant care

Photography

Pets

Nature

Mountain

Hiking

Farming

Culture

Books

Animals

Languages spoken

English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Animal Care

House & pet sitting

Life at a Farmstay

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

Art Projects

Teaching

Light gardening

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Some knowledge of:  

Eco Projects

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Able to teach about:  

Charity Work

Languages

More details about your skills

Please see description for my relevant skills. 🌞

Age

43

What else ...

A private bedroom or sleeping area with a sturdy mattress is required (not a mat, blow up air bed or a hammock; some sofa beds are okay if the foam isn't super thin!), and I do not want to stay in a home where people smoke indoors (I can't bear the smell of cigarettes). I like to keep myself to myself so please be aware I may not always be social, but I can be and I'm super smiley. I'm happy to meet on a video call first. I don't drive!

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Yes. I'm extremely allergic to feather bedding, pillows and duvets that I will be sleeping on: I'm not allergic to birds and can absolutely 100% look after birds! I can explain more, if required.

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  Special dietary requirements
  No, none at all, except that Octopus are one of my favourite animals, so I refuse to eat them. I also refuse to eat companion animals, including horses and donkeys no matter where I am in the world. I will adapt to any/all dietary requests/requirements in