Stay with my family and help bring back biodiversity in a former industrial area in Sallgast, Germany

Detalles

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  Descripción

  The place is a 360m2 former coal storage in ruin sitting in a 4000m2 totally overgrown piece of land, located in the formerly industrial (coal extraction) area of Elbe-Elster. The idea is to restore the biotope, or at least uplift it, by developing a biocentric regenerative garden, bringing a more diverse fauna and (especially) flora. Ideally making it as self-sufficient as possible. This summer's goal is fisrt to make the compound more welcoming.
  
  On the long run, it's about bringing back some attractivity in this region that has been slowly emptying itself since the end of the industry in the 80's.
  
  I'm Simon, 41. I run this project alone and I have two young kids. I put all my money in so now I'm broke and that's why I seek help.

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Ayuda en proyectos ecológicos

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Ayuda doméstica
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  I'm from Belgium and my mother tongue is French but I also speak English fluently and German (a tad less fluently) as I live in Berlin for now 12 years. I can give some language basics but I suppose this would greatly depend of how long your stay is, not sure if that really makes sense. Or maybe if you're intermediate it's an opportunity to train.
  
  Other than that, I'm actually a freelance painter, illustrator and comic author, specialized in Sci-fi. I paint spaceships and cybernetic beings from distant and futuristic worlds and I use watercolor and ink for that. I gladly offer tips and answer questions or who knows, I could even offer a couple hours "course" and/or talk about it as long as you want. I have also been a freelance, independent, "underground" electronic music producer for more than 10 years, so I do have knowledge I can share about it, whether it'd be about the technicalities of sound, artist management or just experience of touring/organizing gigs. I also run a small art and music associative store and gallery that focuses on "off radar artifacts" with a friend in Berlin, it is called "Disconnect".
  
  Let me add that lately, I included bitcoin in my field of interests because after studying and experimenting with it for a several years, I came to the conclusion that contrary to most of what one may hear about, it is in fact an extremely powerful tool, especially for autonomous and sovereign humans and circular economies that allows a segregation from the political whims of central banks. If that can spike your curiosity, I can talk to you about it forever but above all, I can teach you how to use it, which is the best way to understand it and not fall for the traps that indeed, can pave its way when beginning without help.
  
  I'm passionate about internet, especially since it is what allowed me to be an independent artist. I try a lot of new tools that allows individuals to reclaim their privacy, digital rights and defend themselves against all forms of tracking.
  
  Overall I could say that my enthusiasm revolves around nature, art and music sprinkled with emancipating technologies.

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  Ayuda

  You have to understand that this is a massive building in ruin with a broken roof, sitting in a piece of land that's been abandoned to the wild for 15 years. You'll get dirty and may hurt your hands a bit, so it's not for the heart fainted. Not all tasks are "hardcore" and there are many that are fine for less physical people (which I'm neither especially) and there is no rush.
  
  I welcome help for a variety of tasks:
  
  * There's a couple heavy/encumbering stuff where I'd need to be more than alone.
  * Move stones, earth and broken tiles from point A to point B, with wheelbarrows.
  * Preparing beds for plants (weeding, scrapping ground, spread and mix manure).
  * Seeding and planting plants.
  * Ideally prepare soils for future grass areas.
  * Build an "outside kitchen" with open fire, oven, sink etc.. with old bricks.
  * Cleaning the area and the ruin from the last trash that's lying around.
  * Building a wooden door in the basement of the ruin (before the winter).
  * Help for building some tables and chairs out of palettes.
  * Help to build a shelter.
  * Pouring concrete on the ground floor of the ruin to prevent further water infiltrations, before the winter.
  * Building bird/squirrel/hedgehog/bat nesting boxes/shelter.
  * You can also just take care/have fun with my kids (which are über cool) if that's your thing.
  * You can offer to cook but in all honesty, it really isn't what I need.
  
  Again, there is nothing to do in a rush, any help, even a couple hours a day would be extremely appreciated as I'm sometimes blocked just because I need another pair of arms for 10 minutes. Tips, counselling and ideas are also greatly welcomed, as it is still the very beginning and even if I'm not afraid of tasks, I have physical and knowledge limitations. Hopefully you can bring a bit of your vibe there and if we get along, who knows, you could become sort of a permanent guest!

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  Idiomas hablados

  Alemán: Fluido
  Inglés: Fluido
  Francés: Fluido

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  Alojamiento

  It is important to know that the comfort is extremely bare or shall I admit, inexistent. I've been sleeping in a van and there is space to park yours but unfortunately, we don't have any solid building to stay inside. So, all I can provide is a tent (which is quite large and has an "entrance room") and blankets. It is usually really hot and dry in the summer with rare quick (but sometimes strong) rains.
  
  There is (only cold) drinkable water and just enough power for a fridge (the basement keeps things fresh as well). I gladly cook for everyone, morning, noon and evening, every day, directly on the fire (expect barbecue style food - if you don't like meat, you gotta tell me!).
  
  So far, I've been washing myself in the nearby lake! But now that we have water, I just built a small shack as for a shower.
  
  Oh, and there is only a dry toilet.
  
  Warning: the area is quite full of ticks and mosquitoes this summer! I have sprays and candles but bring anything you think you may need, including mosquito nets and if you react badly to them, well .. maybe it isn't for you.
  
  Another thing to know is that I'm usually not staying there longer than 3 days. Due to family reasons (and also to wash clothes), I have to drive back to Berlin every couple days. You can stay of course but then note that there won't be any other mean of transport than the bus.
  
  What else. I like one or two beer or wine on the evening (that I'd provide) and don't mind if you do too but drunkards are not an option. I don't mind if you smoke (also pot) as I'm pretty much of a chain smoker myself.

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  Algo más...

  We're in a former industrial area where activity stopped in 1937, there are quite a lot of artificial (clean) lakes around where you can swim as well as remnants from that era such as old mines with huge still machinery, alienish landscapes and museums that can be visited. There is nature everywhere around with large forests plus a couple rural towns that have historical centers but it isn't the most alive.
  
  There are other projects in the region including a few organic farmers. It's not the most charming/touristic/popular area in Germany but with bikes (which I can provide) you can reach some interesting places quite easily and it's mostly flat.
  
  There are a couple of "Gästehaus" (restaurants) where you can find the typical "Schnitzel" and other local meals.
  
  There is a bus that regularly comes right in front of the site but I can of course drive you somewhere not too far if necessary. I also have a couple bikes you can freely use.
  
  I'll emphasize that it's a bit of a "strange" area, it's not like a "postcard" and there are a couple things that sometimes happen and might be bothering:
  * Teenagers driving small but loud motorcycles around the block.
  * Barking dog(s).
  * Hunters shooting.
  
  But except that, it's the country side! When the night sky is clear, you can see the milky way and the wind in the trees plus the birds singing.

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Puede acoger a nómadas digitales

  I can offer my internet connection on site to read emails and communicate if you don't have any but it's limited, so I can't let you to watch youtube all day, haha. In the event where you'd need more bandwidth, you'll have to get a 4G card.

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  There is space to park your van in or out of the compound. Power is a complicated situation, there can be some sometimes... or not.

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  Podría aceptar mascotas

  I have absolutely no problem with any sort of pets, so long they obviously don't make a mess or are aggressive dogs (or tigers, lol), especially since there are young kids. The pets can be let run around since it is all fenced. Keep in mind that there are a lot of wild animals around though, from the neighbor's cats to foxes, raccoons, deer and wild boars (those are discrete at this time of the year).

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Más de dos

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  Horas esperadas

  Maximum 2-5 hours a day, it's really up to you, I'd never force you. No task requires to be absolutely finished when started. I'm not there constantly so it'd be good to be able to do tasks together, when I'm on site.