Análisis, comentarios y calificaciones de Workaway - page 15

I spent two weeks volunteering at Tato’s house and was very sad to leave! Andre spent a lot of time with me on my first few days showing me around town and where all the good places to eat were. He is always curious to learn new things and is super helpful with a lot such as improving my not so good Spanish :) He is also a surf coach and knows the breaks around the area really well. He therefore could give me all the tips I needed and even sorted out the logistics for a day trip to Chicama The work was super chill and Andre does a lot of it with you which is nice. Things are a bit dirty however keep in mind the place is being reopened, but if that stuff doesn’t bother you, you’ll be fine! My favourite task was definitely taking the dogs out, they are so well behaved and easy to walk, I love them so much. If you’re not a surfer you’ll have a lot of time to relax and would recommend making going to the morning markets a part of your regular routine to get fresh fruit and vegetables, the mangoes are insane. Loved my time here and the people I met around the place, everyone is so friendly and up for a chat, wish I could have stayed longer! Thank you Andre & Tato!!

No words can describe how incredible my three months in Moramanga were, how much I've experienced and learnt. I stayed for the first trimester, from September to December. Until the beginning of November, you can probably expect drier and not too hot weather. Then, the rainy and very hot season starts, which can get in the way of some full-day trips, so use your time before that :) Also, the humidity is quite extreme. I even got to experience a cyclone and its consequences... The mosquitoes are really not as bad as I had feared. There's a school holiday of one weeks at the end of October, where we had a fun team building event with the colleagues for one day. For some days, I travelled to Tamatave and Canal de Pangalanes (East Coast) with another volunteer and our Malagasy friend - Tamatave isn't worth it but our place at the Canal was just one of the most secluded and magnificent places I've ever witnessed. Fafah was so helpful when it came to organising my trip to the beautiful Andasibe national park (I went with other volunteers and a Malagasy friend) and she took us to another nature reserve where we saw so many different chameleons and other species. The accommodation was spacious and good. The only drawbacks are that the high humidity leads to some mold on the cupboard, the water gets cut sometimes (maybe twice a week on average or so) and power cuts occur almost daily, at least when there's heavy rain (which we have every day in the rainy season) - but none of that bothered me. Fafah has become my friend, role model and mentor. Although she was even busier than she usually is, we enjoyed a few dance sessions and insightful conversations together and she's ALWAYS there when you need something. She's such an obviously competent, confident teacher and observing her classes was hugely inspiring. She also took me on a traditional family event which was so unique. I'm forever grateful for a connection Fafah made for me: As I study midwifery, I asked if she knew someone so I could volunteer in the field, and I got to intern regularly in her obstetric surgeon friend's littlle private clinic. These experiences were just invaluable. The lunch we've had together on weekdays was so delicious! I love eating rice every day, seriously. As for the Academy: The atmosphere is positive in general and the kids and teenagers are good-hearted. I taught everything from Pre-K (3 years olds) to Grade 8 + the English Club, so I had around 320 students out of the 415... The learning curve was STEEP and I had my up's and down's - but way more up's. Teaching was so rewarding and mostly fun, I loved using my creativity, empathy and love for planning and language. It was also frustrating at times when my voice was already hoarse because of a cold and then, tweens and teens weren't as respectful as the younger kids - but still far more respectful than people that age in industrialised countries - when it came to listening attentively, but at the same time, I know having a very full schedule and huge class sizes played a big role in this. You improve at class management, so don't worry. I hadn't taught before and English isn't my first language and I managed well. There are many materials from former volunteers you can utilise, the library, resources online, ... A few months ago, the school started offering German classes, and I was extremely happy I was able to make some memories teaching my native language a bit. I really can't mention all the little heartwarming gifts I received from students and friends, invitations from colleagues that turned friends, even to their baptism and cozy birthday party for example. The farewell party with the staff members and the farewell dinner with Fafah and her family. Playing with Brad, her lively five-year-old, was very nice, too. On the last day before the Christmas holidays, there was the school's biggest yearly event, the Christmas show. All grades and the staff prepare their own performance and I was a part of the Pre-K and the staff dance. I can really recommend being around at that time of year! I came to love Madagascar, teaching, my Malagasy friends that I'll stay in touch with, the food, and much more. I got to see so much more than the school. It was challenging... and one of the best decisions of my life.

We had the honor of being the first Workawayers with Danielle and Donato. Their home is a lovely, peaceful place with a beautiful view over the surrounding fields. If you enjoy visiting cities, shopping, or going out, having a car is very useful, as the house is truly located in the countryside. Hoorn and Enkhuizen are wonderful places to visit, and the Markermeer is absolutely beautiful. Danielle and Donato are warm, welcoming, and great company. We had many meaningful conversations and shared lots of laughter. It was lovely to discover both our differences and similarities. We all value privacy, which made the stay very comfortable. During our free time, everyone did their own thing, which created a relaxed and respectful atmosphere. Our tasks included painting doors and door frames, making the house dust-free again, and doing some outdoor chores. We really appreciated the freedom Danielle and Donato gave us to work independently and manage our own schedule. Joe, the cat, loves to stop by for a friendly visit. 🐾 We can wholeheartedly recommend this Workaway place to future Workawayers.

I was absolutely blessed; it was my first volunteer experience, and it completely exceeded my expectations. Vicktorija and Madara have a very well-organized Workaway program. From the moment I arrived, I could feel the atmosphere and the sense of community. The schedules were clear, and the tasks allowed me to learn and live within the community. I shared meals and moments filled with laughter and joy; I had time for prayer and encounters with God, practiced different languages, and enjoyed long walks with breathtaking landscapes, sunrises, and sunsets that will remain etched in my memory. I also cherished the moments I shared with each of the brothers and sisters in the community, listening to and learning from them. It's a place that shows you the simplicity and love of its people, where there is absolute respect for different religious beliefs. I was only able to stay for three weeks, but I would have loved to stay longer. It's definitely an experience every Workawayer should have. Blessings!

Una experiencia llena de emociones! En primer lugar, una magnífica acogida y encuentros maravillosos. Me quedé dos semanas y tuve tiempo de darme cuenta de todo el trabajo que se está realizando para ayudar a la población local. Días variados para hacer crecer la fundación e intentar acompañar a Martin y su equipo. Estuve con voluntarios muy simpáticos, lo que facilita la integración y permite realizar actividades juntos en nuestros días libres. Recomiendo encarecidamente este voluntariado!

We had a great time at Luisa’s place! She is a wonderful host with loads of energy and takes care of her environment, her wonderful dogs and her volunteers really well. She has a sincere vision for her project and it was a pleasure to be a part of it!! Luisa is very good at communicating tasks, the work was varied and she let us choose tasks that we wanted to do (depending on weather as well). Luisa is also a great cook so we shared many delicious meals together and she would often even treat us to her homemade cakes which were sooo tasty. If you’re a fan of card games and board games, you’re in luck because we spent some great evenings playing them and having a chat (though be warned she is more than capable of winning every game!) The little hut is very cute, private and cozy, (quite the luxury) and the views of the surrounding mountains are great. Luisa went out of her way to help us organise a tour, kindly gave us journeys into gorgeous Samaipata Town on our days off amongst other things; we are so grateful to her for all of her help. And the doggies are incredible! We loved meeting the gang and getting to know them and their varied histories. We each found our favorites among them and will miss them all very much 💚 🐾 Best of luck to you and your project and hopefully see you again in the future!

Anna was an outstanding first Workaway volunteer to host. She is responsible, respectful, and genuinely committed to the place and the project. From the very beginning, communication was natural, honest, and based on trust, which made sharing the space easy and comfortable. She helped far more than expected, always with a calm, positive attitude and great attention to detail. The house and outdoor areas were left in excellent condition, showing real care, dedication, and pride in what she was doing. Anna was sincerely interested in the spirit and meaning of the project, not only in completing tasks. She understood the value of the place and contributed to a peaceful, respectful, and warm atmosphere. I felt completely comfortable trusting her with the house, which speaks for itself. I highly recommend Ana to future hosts who value trust, good energy, and meaningful exchanges. I’m deeply grateful for her contribution, and she will always be remembered as the person who helped shape the foundation and spirit. I wish her all the best in her future travels.

I had a wonderful time in Hualien. His coffee shop is truly a hidden gem, and Po is such a reliable and welcoming person. I really hope to return to this lovely small town again in the future there’s still so much left to explore.

Volunteering at the wakepark was such a blessing and the best place where I could've been! I stayed longer than I planned which speaks for itself... I had a lot of fun, learned wakeboarding really fast and being a wakeboard instructor and also did a lot of different things like decorating or doing workshops and whatever was needed😊:) the people who work here are so sweet and Lalit is the best out of aaaall❤️! If you come with an open mind and heart you can really enjoy arambol, learn new things and it's a good place to be creative. I can highly recommend.

I stayed for 2 weeks in September! Being in the desert, far away from much else, is such a unique experience and I would absolutely recommend it! As a solo female traveler, things like that can also be unsafe though, and you might decide not to stay at a camp because of that - so I'm here to tell you that I felt 100% safe at all times. Everyone - from Salman, to his family, friends and employees - was always kind to me, helping me when I needed it, arranging vegetarian meals for me and providing me with snacks when I hadn't left the camp in a week! The bedouin tents are comfortable, spacious and the views are amazing. Honestly, I've never been to the desert before, so waking up to the views of a neverending desert (and camels just walking around) was mind-blowing. Also, at night, when all the lights are off, you'll be able to see the milkyway! The work is light and you can do it throughout the day. I took photos of the camp and the different bedouin tents, updated and fine-tuned the camp's listing, promoted the camp on various groups and joined the guests on all the safari tours to take photos of them (and, of course, to see more of Wadi Rum myself). Only thing you should note is this: You will have a lot of time, so bring a good book or your own projects to work on and stay busy! Seriously. I regretted not taking a book with me haha. Oh and Shafiq's tea is DELICIOUS and you will definitely have trouble drinking black tea without sugar after staying at the camp! 😂 Enough rambling now. If you're considering to do a Workaway in the Wadi Rum Desert - this is your sign to contact Salman and stay at his camp!

Alex is a fantastic guy, he is polite, respectful and fun. He helped us a lot with all the works we needed to get done in the garden, always supporting with a good attitude. He also baked delicious Christmas cookies!! So recommend!

I spent 10 wonderful days at this beautiful organic farm, and it was a truly meaningful experience. Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming, and even with a language barrier, they treated me with patience and warmth, which made me feel very comfortable. This was my first time learning about permaculture, and it was very eye-opening to see how farming can be done in harmony with nature, insects, and animals. I also enjoyed unique experiences such as making aloe vera soap and milking cows, which were both interesting and memorable. The owner, Pravin, the manager, the manager’s family, and all the staff were very supportive and created a positive and well-organized environment. We were served fresh vegetables from the farm every day, and the meals were always delicious. The six cows on the farm were also incredibly gentle, lovely, and adorable that I could spend hours just watching them :) Thank you so much for this precious experience and for sharing your time, knowledge, and kindness with me!

Thomas was an excellent volunteer and an outstanding teacher. He was always willing to help, consistently went above and beyond what was expected, and showed a genuine passion for teaching and cultural exchange. His previous experience teaching made him ideal for any project related to education, and it was clearly reflected in the way he connected with the students, motivated them, and adapted lessons naturally and creatively. We were honestly very fortunate to have him as part of our team. His professionalism, dedication, and positive attitude made a lasting impact on both students and staff. Thomas is without a doubt an excellent teacher, and we wholeheartedly recommend him for any future teaching or volunteering opportunity. Thank you again, Thomas. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we wish you all the best in everything that comes next.

Mily was a wonderful stable hand and an all round super workawayer. Always positive, appreciative and open to learning, she completed her many and varied tasks diligently. I felt confident leaving the property and animals in her care when needed, and I would not hesitate to recommend her to other hosts, she is a joy to have around.

I had a great week with Etienne, helping him in the garden of his b&b. His communication was clear and task expectations were very reasonable, and it was really nice to chat with him. The accommodation is very comfortable and is well located for exploring Pucón when you have time off, and Etienne has lots of knowledge to share with things to do in the area. A very successful exchange and I highly recommend this host and project.

It was a pleasure hosting Ian. Huge respect for tackling the painting — especially on the high ladder (not everyone volunteers for that part 😄). You handled it carefully and responsibly, which we really appreciated. . He was easy to live and work with, respectful of the space, and always ready to help when something needed doing. All the best on your travels, and any future host will be lucky to have you. You’re welcome back anytime!

We had a wonderful 3 months with Cecilia staying with us; she was fun, laid back, caring and respectful of our parenting style. Cecilia went out of her way to ensure that she was caring for our child in the way that felt good to us, I was deeply appreciative of this! Our little one felt very much at ease with Cecilia, right from the beginning I was able to leave them to play together (which doesn't always happen). Ailsa enjoyed lots of play time, coloring, watching movies, chats and general support from Cecilia. I felt very comfortable leaving them together, and left them a few times for half a day. Cecilia was very helpful around the house, and was able to get on with cleaning tasks once I had explained it to her once. Our dogs also loved playing with her! It was a great joy to watch Cecilia become more adventurous and active, taking many trips and lots of walks to the village. It was also a real pleasure to meet her dad on his trip to Ireland too :-) Cecilia is very open minded and non judgmental; the perfect presence to have while I have been pregnant. I was initially concerned about having someone here during this part of pregnancy, but Cecilia put me completely at ease and I felt very supported and listened to. She was also a great help to me once I had passed my driving test, accompanying me on a few trips. Thanks for trusting my driving skills :-) Overall a really lovely experience, I would recommend Cecilia as a work awayer to any host with children, particularly if children are musical or wishing to learn. We wish you all the luck with your new job and future plans for a masters degree. Look toward hearing how you get on xx

We have done a few volunteering opportunities whilst travelling and this has been the best by far. Juan Carlos and his mum Angie are wonderful, generous and welcoming people. We felt well looked after and supported during our time on the farm. They offer a relaxed approach to farming and DIY help and there are lots of opportunities to learn new things and also explore the local area. The work was varied but would start late morning and would mainly be light helping hand work or assisting with the cows. The accommodation is beautiful and you have your own private room/cabin with kitchen and bathroom etc. It is very peaceful and relaxing. Juan took us on hiking trips as well. Cannot recommend enough and the pictures on here don't do it justice. Thanks again for everything.

I originally planned to stay for one week, but I ended up staying almost three weeks, and that already says a lot! From the first day, I felt incredibly comfortable with Jason and Lisa. Their trust (for the work, their car...) meant so much to me, and it made the whole experience feel easy and natural. They did everything they could to make me feel welcome and at home. The place itself is incredible: beautiful, calm and inspiring (some alpacas as neighbours 🥰). Jason and Lisa are genuinely lovely people 💛: warm, open, thoughtful and very easy to be around. We shared many great conversations, laughed a lot, talked about languages, life, and creativity.... The feeling was instant, very natural, and respectful. Everyone respects each other’s space, which makes the atmosphere very balanced and peaceful 😌. I truly felt like I was becoming part of the family or close friends. Even their little Isobel is just as funny and adorable as her parents 🥰. Despite being busy, they were always available, helpful and supportive. Their kindness, generosity and big hearts really stood out to me. Also, Lisa and Jason’s cooking was delicious! 😍 They lent me their car, that was incredibly helpful! For the work, I helped them with their websites during my stay, which made the exchange feel very natural and mutual 🤗. Thank you for everything! 💚 I’m very grateful for the time spent with you and just have met you 🍀, I will remember this stay with a lot of warmth 💛🧡❤️

Neyla es una persona muy interesante, paciente y generosa. Me ha encantado conocerla y compartir con ella en diciembre. ¡Me sentí a gusto rápidamente! He trabajado en su maravilloso jardín y la he ayudado a practicar el francés. Estoy muy contenta de mi primer workaway con ella. En general, tuve una experiencia muy positiva, definitivamente lo recomendaría. Neyla is a very interesting, patient and generous person. I loved meeting her and sharing with her in December. I felt at ease quickly! I have worked in her wonderful garden and I have helped her practice French. I get to meet some of her friends, and exchange with them. I'm very happy with my first workaway with her. Overall, I had a very positive experience, I would definitely recommend it.