Milica

Canada
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
I’m a high school theatre teacher who loves building my community and empowering young people. In my free time, I am an avid gardener (both vegetables and flowers) and I really enjoy getting my hands in dirt. I also love being outdoors, hiking in the Canadian backcountry, and cooking. Whenever possible, I try and to back home to Bosnia and Hercegovina to see my baba and enjoy her farm.
Interests
Winter sports
Writing
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Photography
Performing arts
Outdoor activities
Nature
Hiking
Gardening
Fashion or beauty
Farming
Events & social
Dancing
DIY & crafts
Culture
Cooking & food
Camping
Books
Art & design

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Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Charity Work
Eco Projects
Being an elderly companion
DIY and building projects
Some knowledge of:
Life at a Farmstay
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Able to teach about:
Art Projects
Languages
Teaching
Gardening
More details about your skills
I’ve been gardening for 6 years and am knowledgeable in seed starting, transplanting, growing, and harvesting. I also can and pickle! Outside of the garden, I am an English and theatre teacher, so can help translate or write any documents. I’m great at working with young people, am willing to learn new skills, and have plenty of common sense.
Age
32
What else ...
I enjoy meeting new people immensely, and value being part of a community, even for a short amount of time.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Cats up close but take medication
- Special dietary requirements

Feedback

28 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Milica) for host (Horse and cow ranch ...)

BEWARE
This situation turned dangerous and there are key things you should know when deciding to volunteer here.

This property is 70 km from the nearest town (Malargue). There is no cell service out here so you are reliant on the house internet. When I was trying to leave and Raf changed his mind and refused to drive me, he turned off the… read more internet. I had to stand in the sun and try to hitch hike into town, again, with no reception in case of emergency.

For context, this was my first workaway experience, but not my first volunteering experience as I have been a volunteer through woofing for many years. When I reached out to the owner Raf, I let him know I did not have horse experience but that I was eager to learn. He said that instead, I could work for room and board, and learn to ride horses for an additional $15 dollars a day. I agreed, because the experience of being on 30 000 hectares and riding seemed worth my while. Instead, over the course of a week, I rode a horse once. I was only meant to stay for 2 weeks total so I didn’t have much time. After my first week, I brought this up to Raf and that this wasn’t meeting my expectations. I had basically paid $95 dollars to cook and clean and work. He was not willing to listen and made assumptions about why I was unsatisfied, saying 1. I wasn’t being patient 2. I was attached to the other volunteer leaving and finally 3. I was just a city girl and didn’t understand hard work. For that reason, I decided to leave early.

I could tell he was upset with my choice, but I knew he was my only safe way into town so I wasn’t going to say anything further about my other concerns with overwork and a toxic environment. However, the morning myself and another volunteer were meant to leave, he said I hadn’t cleaned out my room properly. I had stripped the bed, wiped down the bathroom floor, shower, and sink, BUT he said I hadn’t swept the living room where there was bat droppings. I said I wouldn’t clean the bat dropping because that wasn’t my mess and he got very upset. With no other choice, I began to sweep and told him this was controlling behaviour. The other volunteer offered to help me and he said no, he wanted her to send him the photos she had taken right now, right at this moment. When she said she would send them to him on the bus, he said she couldn’t be trusted and that he would not leave until she sent them. She began to cry and asked why he didn’t trust her. This is a volunteer who worked for him for 3 weeks and did nothing but what he asked. She said they were her photos and that she could choose who she shared them with and when she sent them. He said we could find our own way into town then. I told him this was controlling, manipulative behaviour and not okay. He would not listen. This is when we left the property to try and get to town to catch the bus.

Other important things to know when making your decision:
1. You will work from 9:30 am until 8:30 pm, when dinner is served. There is no set down time besides lunch at 1:30 and siesta after lunch when Raf sleeps for an hour. The two gauchos working there had not had a day off since January. They wash their clothing before breakfast because there is no personal time allotted.
2. If you make a simple mistake like not remembering to boil the beets for lunch, Raf will make it very known and you will then eat lunch in silence. The entire atmosphere is very tense and I felt like I was walking on eggshells often.
3. The property is beautiful and the animals are so amazing. The two gauchos working there were very kind men. But there is so little time to appreciate any of that and there is always an uneasy tension.

I would seriously caution anyone from taking this position. While Raf had moments of kindness and wisdom, they were not worth overworking, constantly being stressed out if things were not being done his way, and most importantly, being in a dangerous situation. I felt such a relief when I left this property. I wish someone had warned me, but I realize now there are so few reviews because people do not want to rock the boat. He has volunteers come every few weeks, yet there are not many reviews. This should have been a sign. I hope this review helps someone else.

(Negative )

27 Mar 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Milica)

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(Negative )