Join us for the olive harvest and discover the local village life in Mani, Greece

Infos

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  Description

  Hello,
  
  We are Alexandros and Claire. We live in the South Peloponnese in the village of Lagkada between mountain and sea. We moved to the beautiful area of Mani a few years ago with the will to create a village life and we quickly started working with olive trees.
  
  Our olive groves are located in steep terrain and we are looking for volunteers to help with the harvest during the winter (November until January). We have been hosting volunteers since 2020 and the great experiences we have had mobilise us again every time. The olive harvest is a physical work - in a difficulty level similar to the grape harvest - that requires commitment, teamwork, and physical readiness.
  
  The oil produced is for our own consumption and small-scale sales. Alexandros' main activity is the restoration of Byzantine churches and historical monuments, and Claire's main activity is being an office manager in an architect office. But olive production is a crucial part of our life as it allows us to be connected to our food consumption. While Claire is doing the logistics, Alexandros is in the fields and takes a break of 3 months during the winter to do the harvest.
  
  During the rest of the year we need help to maintain the fields: it includes pruning the trees, burning branches and mowing the grass. There could be side projects such as painting, cutting wood, or constructing a dog house. During busy periods help is welcome for gardening, cooking, and looking after our two dogs.
  
  We will do our best for you to have a holistic experience of the local life in Mani!

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Pratique d’une langue

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  You will have the opportunity to learn about land regeneration and maintenance, olive farming, and how to distinguish a good quality olive oil from another.
  
  We both speak English and Claire, being originally from France, speaks French as well. We will be happy to share all about the local food, culture and ways of life - foraging, preserving food, history of the area, etc.
  
  Mani is a peninsula that gathers charming villages on the coastline and the mountain. With its beautiful beaches, hiking paths, and a community of Europeans who live here permanently, it has the perks of being both wild and dynamic and you are of course free to go and discover it by yourself! We will make sure to recommend our favorite spots!
  
  Lagkada is located 1h15 by car from Kalamata, where there is an International airport and bus connection between Athens and Lagkada.
  In Lagkada, you will find a cafe that gathers villagers at multiple times of the day. In the next village, 15 mins from walking distance, is a good local taverna (our personal favorite).
  
  The closest beach is 11km away by car. On this coastline, you will find other beaches but also the main villages (Agios Nikolaos, Stoupa and Kardamyli) where the local community congregates. There is public transport every day but we will gladly drive you ourselves whenever it is possible.
  
  We look forward to host people that take initiative and can make the most of the opportunities provided. Together we can co-create a wonderful experience for both you and us!

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  Aide

  Volunteers help 5 hours per day and 5 days per week with days off in exchange for meals and accommodation. The days off will not necessarily fall on the weekend (or on sunny days), the help in the fields being a dynamic activity that depends from the weather.
  
  Although the fields are not certified organic due to the small scale of our activity, we produce exclusively organic extra virgin olive oil. Most of the fields have been abandoned by the owners and I work to bring these fields back to life, first by clearing the jungles of high weeds, then by pruning the trees, and finally by harvesting the olives, which is the only way to ensure that the trees will keep on producing. After a period of 5 years without being harvested, the tree stops producing and it is a part of our gastronomic heritage that we lose because it is a very high quality olive specific to the micro-climate of Mani.
  
  The olive harvest includes the following tasks: pick olives / lay and move nets on the bottom / put olives in bags / burn branches and collect wood / prepare lunch & dinner.
  
  The team spirit is a crucial part of this project : when an individual person joins into one team work, the daily effort becomes easier and more joyful.

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  Langues parlées

  Greek: Courant
  Anglais: Courant

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  Hébergement

  We offer accommodation in a cozy studio located under our house. It is fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and double bed and has a courtyard outside. It is suitable for couples, friends or individuals. We ask everybody to be responsible for the good running of the house and keep it a clean and livable space.
  
  Food will be provided for breakfast, lunch, dinner as well as for days off and will be cooked by team members. Breakfast includes bread, butter, jam, oats, and fruits. Extra beverages (soda, beer, others) and special requests are not included.

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  Autres infos...

  - We ask people not to smoke in the house or while working.
  - Social drinking is accepted but not drug or alcohol habits.
  - If you have any mental or physical health issues please let us know so we can assess if this is the right place for you (including allergies, special dietary requirements etc.)
  - The minimum length of stay requirement is 1 week.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  The house having WIFI, we can host digital nomads but only if you can follow the same schedule as the rest of the team. Please note also that the house does not have separate rooms to offer you full privacy.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  You are more than welcome to come in your campervan but please note there are no parking on the premises. You will find parking spots at the square of the village, 100m from the house. 

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Cet hôte a dit qu’il acceptait les personnes voyageant avec un animal.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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