Gonzalo

Spain
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Profile information

Travel information

I am currently

At home

Activities i am interested in:

Living in Madrid, Spain (I'm from Málaga).
I'm taking advantage of these months of unemployment to focus on myself and do my first volunteer experience abroad with great enthusiasm and excitement.
Description

I'm Gonzalo, 28, from Málaga (a Mediterranean coastal city in southern Spain). I'm living in Madrid.
I work as an engineer (mechanical and industrial design).

I'd describe myself as genuine and trustworthy person, dedicated and generous individual. I'm easy to work with others and in a team. I like nature and everything related to it, I feel comfortable in it.
I'm really into swimming, yoga, gym, diving... and my hobbies are hiking and traveling, cinema & music, playing pool and darts with friends.
I like to help those in need and share my knowledge, just as I like to learn from others, travel and get to know other cultures to enrich myself as a person. I offer great responsibility and efficiency when acting in a proactive way with initiative.
Interests

Charity work

Movies & TV

Self development

Culture

Sustainability

Technology

Gardening

Art & design

DIY & crafts

Architecture

Animals

Carpentry

Music

Yoga / Wellness

Mountain

Beach

Nature

Fitness

Water sports

Hiking

Adventure sports
Languages spoken

Spanish: Fluent
English: Intermediate
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:

Charity Work

Eco Projects

Light gardening

Animal Care

Life at a Farmstay

Some knowledge of:

Art Projects

Able to teach about:

Creative DIY projects

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Light maintenance
More details about your skills

I really like sports. I've been swimming since I was 6 years old. I did triathlon training for two years before starting the university college. I've also skied so much. I recently discovered yoga, which I love because of the benefit of paying attention and consciously dedicating time to my body. And I'm also a new diver (PADI OWD).
Age

29
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No
- Special dietary requirements
  No

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Feedback

19 May 2026

Left by host (Come and join our community ...) for Workawayer ()

Hosting Gon was truly a wonderful experience for our children, our project, and the entire community. From the very beginning, he showed genuine love, patience, and deep care for the kids. His passion for supporting and uplifting the children was beyond reproach, and it was clear that he was not just volunteering, but fully investing his heart … read more

(Excellent )

16 May 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Come and join our community ...)

An unforgettable, life-changing experience on Rusinga Island! 🌍❤️
Spending a month and a half (Nov-Dec. 2025) at the Academy has been the most beautiful experiences of my life. You don’t just arrive at a project; you become part of a big, welcoming family.

The heart of this journey is, without a doubt, the school and its people. Working alongside … read more the local team—Mr. Fred, Madam Mereza, and Mary the cook—was an absolute honor. The kids are incredibly bright, loving, and full of energy. Make sure to come well-prepared with plenty of activities, toys, balls, and running games to keep them busy and burning off all that energy—they will tire you out in the best way possible!

Living in the guest house, with our host, Mama Jane, was a highlight. It’s located just 200 m from the school (right next door) because Victor Odula, the school director, is actually Mama Jane’s son. It is a place full of life, where neighbors and family constantly drop by, making you feel truly immersed in the local community. I will deeply miss the daily routines, the shared laughs… BTW, keep an eye out for the magical glowing green dots on the ground at night—a little surprise you'll have to discover with your flashlight in the forehead!

The landscapes around Lake Victoria are breathtaking, and the sunsets are completely hypnotic.
Here are some of the things you can do during your free time and weekends:
• Ruma National Park: You can easily organize a 3h safari morning trip to this nearby park to see the wildlife.
• Explore the Island, local Hotels, and Mbita: Take long walks along the ring road that loops around the island (check Badilisha Ecovillage). For a change of pace, you can visit the local hotels to try different food, enjoy the ambient music, and swim in the pool at the Rusinga, or White Stone Beach Resort. Furthermore, you can take a boda-boda to Mbita, to visit a larger supermarket, check out the shops, having lunch in the ELK restaurant or Mbita Tourist Hotel, and explore the bustling streets and the amazing Market.
• Hike up Rusinga Hill: Walk up to get amazing panoramic views of the entire island and the lake. If you plan to go all the way to the actual summit, make sure to ask for a machete to clear the path and bring warm clothes because it gets very windy up there. It took me about 4 hours in total (I went alone on my penultimate day to say goodbye to the island), due to the thick vegetation, I had to go around the summit and eventually head down through a dry riverbed, which brought me out in Kaswanga.
• Participate in daily local life: Help out with unique and traditional chores, such as using the donkeys to help fill up the water tanks, or attending the local church, which is a very entertaining experience. You can also head over to Kaswanga to grab a snack and buy basic essentials (toilet paper, snacks, or freshly made samosas and sausages from the street stalls). Additionally, you can play pool at the local pool place, where there are sockets to charge your phone and powerbanks. Just a heads-up, Mama Jane doesn't really recomend volunteers charging their devices there, as she worries they might get stolen!
Take time to relax, write a travel journal, or read at Mama Jane's house. The living room terrace was my fav spot bc it was the coolest and most shaded place, perfect a nap :) However, I highly recommend getting to know the neighbors and visiting the homes of the school children. Having meals and spending quality time with them outside of school hours is an incredible experience. They are wonderful company and will gladly show you some really cool hidden spots around the area.
• Visit Litare fishing village and Tom Mboya mausoleum: Litare is a very large fishing community where you won't see many foreigners; just be a bit more cautious, but there is no need to worry. It is a great place to rent a motorized boat for a ride (go directly to the beach shore and ask around, cheaper). Do it in the morning, as fishermen are not working and there is less risk of encountering hippos.

If you are looking for a project where you can truly connect with the community, make a real impact, and leave a piece of your heart behind, don't hesitate. I miss you so much. Asante sana for everything. Sending you all my love and biggest hugs!

(Excellent )