traveler_dave

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    UPDATE . . . February 14, 2019 . . . Wrapping up my latest six months in India. One of the highlights was finally getting the connections I needed to be able to conduct hands-on organic farm training in a tribal area in Gujarat. When you teach with respect, the doors open wide. Lots of additional community development projects. I will return. During these six months, I have also continued mentoring many youth of India. These experiences keep allowing me to grow and acquire in-depth knowledge of India's culture. What's next for me? As of yet, I have not decided. India has become my home. But my PDC has opened many doors and the invitations are starting to come in. For those of you reading this, I am open to your invitations from around the world.

    UPDATE . . . October 18, 2018 . . . Obtained my Permaculture Design certification in Goa, India.

    UPDATE . . . August 26, 2018 . . . Heading back to India for another six months. Natural farming workshop in West Bengal, permaculture design certification in Goa. Then consulting on a permaculture design project on an existing plantation site, and on to assist the continuing development of a training farm in Gujarat. Thanks Workaway for opening doors.

    UPDATE . . . April 5, 2018 . . . Just recently returned to the US from near nine months in Gujarat, India. Everything went according to plan, creating and planting out a sustainable organic vegetable plot at the blind school. The kids now have fresh vegetables from their own garden. India gives you so many challenges such as extreme heat, hungry monkeys, limited budget, etc. But with faith and a strong work ethic, all things are possible. Will be taking a few months to get some personal business taken care of, then hopefully be hitting the road again. Open to all adventures. For any workaway hosts reviewing my profile, I am a strong, hard worker, up to any challenge presented to me. I am able to provide references in that regard if necessary. If nothing else, I have a lifetime of experiences that I am sure could be of help to you in a number of ways. Please contact me with any of your questions.

    UPDATE . . . May 25, 2017 . . . Just received my India visa this morning. After preparing a few last minute details, I will be on my way. Have been asked to create a small farm from the bottom up at a blind school on the outskirts of Ghandinagar in Gujarat. Will most likely develop more of a community vegetable and flower garden which will, in addition to supplying an organic and healthy food supply for the kids, act as an educational center for teaching all about sustainable small-scale farming. Quite the challenge, but it should fill the next eight or nine months up nicely.

    UPDATE . . . January 23, 2017 . . . Certified Reiki Master/Teacher as of January 16, 2017. More than willing to offer my services in this capacity. If you are looking for someone offering to provide this amazing healing energy at your Workaway site anywhere around the world, please feel free to contact me.

    UPDATE . . . November 4, 2016 . . . As of mid-July, I have returned to the Arizona homestead I left last December. Couldn't resist the offer to return to this beautiful part of the US as farm manager. The work on the homestead continues be a learning experience. Butchering is never something I thought I would learn during this lifetime, but never let age interfere with living. Can't say the same for the chickens; not to mention the 350 pound sow that saw its future as ham, loin, sausage and bacon. Out here, the seasons determine the work schedule. With a late fall, the pond has been drained and the fish rehomed, new rabbits are being bought and re-bred, and a new lighting system has been installed into the chicken coop in an effort to extend their laying hours due to earlier sunsets. And oh yes, my house back in Texas has finally sold and the closing date is December 9. That being said, I anticipate new great workaway adventures during 2017.

    UPDATE . . . May 7, 2016 . . . In a temporary holding pattern at the moment while selling my house in Texas. Once this is accomplished, will resume my traveling.

    UPDATE . . . November 13, 2015 . . . Already two months into my isolated desert experience and still learning new things. There is plenty of work to do, but it never wears you down. From buying a new ram to shoveling horse manure, collecting firewood to building a new rabbit hutch, installing a new wind generator to harvesting the latest batch of produce from a very productive aquaponic system - the day can vary as much as an Arizona sunset. This is a great place to come and live off-grid and learn a new lifestyle. A few more weeks before I move on, but still so much to learn.

    UPDATE . . . September 10, 2015 . . . Finished up four months on the New Mexico homestead and headed south to a new 36 acre homestead about 15 miles west of McNeal, Arizona. Desert country, in Cochese County.

    UPDATE . . . August 1, 2015 . . . Still working at my second workaway in northern New Mexco since May 1, 2015 . . . Continued excellent experience. Seed propagation to garden planting, and soon harvesting if the weather remains wet enough. Short three month growing season here and all is dependent on the weather at an altitude of 7300 feet. Lots of work with chickens, building new and remodeling old chicken coops, running new fence enclosures, etc. Meeting a lot of new and interesting people in this land of many indigenous native Americans including Zuni, Acoma, and of course Navajo. The ability to attend several native ceremonies is a big plus of this experience.

    UPDATE . . . April 30, 2015 . . . Just finished my first Workaway experience on a sustainable farm in central Kansas. Couldn't have asked for a better way to start. Learned so much: how to operate a tractor and bobcat, alpaca and chicken care, installed new drip irrigation system, learned all about plant propagation and seed planting, green houses and solariums, built composting bins, tilled the soil in a new garden, trail maintenance, among many other things related to farming. Great experience.

    UPDATE . . . January 14, 2015 . . . Plans to return to India have been put on hold until at least some time in 2016. Will be staying in the United States for now. Looking to volunteer with workaway somewhere in the USA from late March 2015 for about two months. Looking for different experience to learn new things, especially in the areas of sustainable living, alternative building, permaculture, solar panel usage, native American healing, and herbs (from growing through to producing medicines). Open to any new opportunity. Reiki certified. Studied Vipassana meditation.

    UPDATE . . . October 10, 2014 . . . Recently arrived back in USA, at least for the moment. Plan on going back to India in March 2015 and plan on staying for a year this time. Looking for different options as far as where to work this time. If I don't find a different place, I will be returning to Manav Sadhna in Gujarat.

    UPDATE . . . April 2014 . . . Currently in Ahmedabad, India working for NGO Manav Sadhna at the Gandhi Ashram, since end of February 2014 and will be here in Gujarat through the middle of September. Manav Sadhna will be closed for the month of May through June 10, and I am looking for an NGO or other workaway in northern India during this time. Please contact me if you have something available.

    Hi. My name is David and this is my first time searching for a place to work/stay on a forum like this. In the past, when I was younger, I was more apt to just take off and travel around on my own. Over the years, I have been many places and seen many things. My travels have led me to:

    Africa: Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire (now Congo), Seychelles

    Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait

    Asia: Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong (when it was still a British territory), Japan, India

    Europe: Wales, Scotland, England, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Yugoslavia (before the break-up), Monaco, Turkey, Greece

    All of these travels were between 1974 and 1985, between the ages of 21 and 32. Aside from traveling to these countries, I have lived in Italy (2 years), Bahrain (3 years) Belgium (2 years) and India (7 months).

    I have sampled raw squid from a street-side vendor in Hong Kong, gotten lost navigating the back roads of rural Wales, gotten up close and personal with mountain gorillas in the Virungas of Rwanda, and even met and shaken hands with the leader of Bahrain Sheik Isa bin Salman al Kalifa while laying on the shores of an Arabian Sea beach.

    Needless to say, I have led an interesting life so far. However, as unpredictable as life is, a family crisis required me to alter my path. My mom got sick and was given six months to live. My dad and I took her home and fifteen years later she passed away. Two weeks after her passing, my dad became sick. Later that November, he got another case of pneumonia - this one really bad. He never fully recuperated from this and seemed to get one thing after another throughout 2012. He finally passed away on May 9, 2013.

    So, as you can tell, for the last almost 18 years I have been rather busy doing things I had never prepared for in life. But when life presents you challenges, you just have to re-evaluate your situation and go on from there.

    For over six months in 2014 I volunteered with the NGO Manav Sadhna (associated with Gandhi Ashram) in Ahmedabad, India. During this time, my primary job was working with disadvantaged children at a residential school on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. I also had many opportunities to work with families in the slums, and also out in rural villages. This entire experience was truly one of the most uplifting periods of my life. I have made lifelong friends in India, and I definitely intend to return there in the future.

    While in India, I had the opportunity to travel outside of Ahmedabad a bit which took me to places such as Leh, Rishikesh, Amritsar, Kolkata, Varanasi and Delhi. Truly a spiritual journey.

    I hope this has given you the chance to get to know a little about me (there is much more). Please feel free to ask any questions.


    Thanks for taking the time to read this.

    Best regards,
    David Rehm
    Email: txk.dave7@yahoo.com

  • Interests

    Yoga / Wellness
    Writing
    Vegetarian or vegan
    Van life
    Sustainability
    Self development
    Politics / Social justice
    Photography
    Plant care
    Pets
    Outdoor activities
    Nature
    Mountain
    History
    Gardening
    Farming
    Culture
    Charity work
    Beach
    Animals
  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

    Some knowledge of:  

    DIY and building projects
    Babysitting and creative play
    General Maintenance
    Languages
    Art Projects
    Helping with Computers/ Internet
    Teaching

    Able to teach about:  

    Gardening
    Being an elderly companion
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Life at a Farmstay
    Eco Projects
    Helping around the house
    Animal Care
    Hospitality/Tourism
    Charity Work
  • More details about your skills

    Certified Permaculture Designer
    Certified Reiki Master/Teacher
    Practitioner of Vipassana Meditation
    Massage therapy (not certified)
    Knowledge and experience of alpaca, sheep, rabbit and chicken care
    Working knowledge of plant propagation, seed planting, making blocking mix for new seed planting in solarium and greenhouse
    Working knowledge of organic farming
    Off-grid living experience
    Installed a new drip irrigation system for large scale vegetable garden
    Pretty good at operating a bobcat
    Basic operation of a tractor
    Basic hands-on experience of cheese making
    Elder care (18 years experience)
    I am a pretty good photographer (Instagram account - david.rehm)
    Administrator/Project Manager (I can help organize pretty much anything, manage people, project development, hold training sessions, etc.)
    I can cook just about anything, even if I make it up as I go along
    Anything I can’t do now, I am a fast learner.

  • Age

    70

  • What else ...

    Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

  • Some more information

    • Smoker

    • Driver's licence

    • Allergies
      No

    • Special dietary requirements
      No

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