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2 avr. 2025
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Séjour min. souhaité : Au moins deux semaines
Infos
Description
We are a friendly family who run a registered Not For Profit Association, Guájares Nature Centro Eco Cultural. We are all unpaid volunteers interested in the free exchange of skills , mutual education , shared cultural experience and developing potentials.We do not exist as a commercial entity and do not plan to do so. This creates many challenges in a largely commercially motivated world. We reuse, repurpose , recycle repair and invent as much as possible using the natural and human environment Ian’s our teacher .Many volunteers have upon leaving the project have used their experience gained here to develop them further elsewhere , (This makes us very happy.)
The project is located on a 7,000 square metre terraced smallholding (finca) in Granada province ( we are on Google maps) and we are looking for help with the maintenance and development of our land ecologically, as well as creating arts spaces and venue space for those that do not have their own within the local area. Dan has 30 years of work experience covering forestry, festival builds ,music co-operatives, catering , and helping create various practical community environmental spaces but is always interested in learning more…
The land has olive trees, almond trees, fig trees, grapevines, chirimoyos and a vegetable patch. It also has a basic brick-built structure which contains basic shower, toilet and bathroom. The bell tent sleeps two either as singles or a double. Mattresses and bedding provided. We recently also built a wooden covered outdoor kitchen, which has its own lighting, adjacent to a communal safari tent.
The land has spectacular views and there are many places to sit and enjoy the evening sunshine. The climate is generally pretty dry and warm in Spain (they say we get 320 days of sunshine a year here) but there is a firepit for use during the coldest months. It can be cold at night in winter in the mountains here, down to 5 degrees c.
Motorhome adventurers are particularily welcome.
Living is basic and those with experience of living outdoors / camping or living in motor homes will thrive here….initiative and problem solving and a do it yourself approach to living will help.
For non motorhome adventurers, there is an re additional belltents in which a bed, duvet and pillow will be provided. We are also in the process of constructing more safari shelters as more are needed. You may of course bring a camper van, or own tent. There is also a newly restored swimming pool which can be used between spring and autumn.
We are off grid but have solar power for charging phones, laptops and lighting etc. Drinking water is presently brought onto site from a tap/ spring nearby, but irrigation water is available for washing and showering.
Our daughter is 8 years old and goes to the local school. There is a well stocked local shop, bar and cash machine in the closest village which is a 5 minute walk from the land. We are about 20 minutes drive from the closest beach and 45 minutes to the lovely city of Granada, with public transport links to both. Our house is only 5 minutes drive from the land but we're up on the land most days, with weekends off.
Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre
Bénévolat
Projets artistiques
Aide avec des éco-projets
Enseignement
Jardinage
Bricolage et construction
Aide dans une ferme
Entretien général
Aide informatique/internet
Centres d’intérêt
Livres
Nature
Montagne
Bricolage / artisanat
Dessin et peinture
Politique/justice sociale
Culture
Vie en van
Films et télé
Ferme
Dev. durable
Événements/vie sociale
Bénévolat
Menuiserie
Arts du spectacle
Musique
Histoire
Jardinage
Cuisine et alimentation
Architecture
Art et design
Soin des plantes
Camping
Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre
Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre
We live in a valley that comprises of three close villages within the same 7km stretch. They are each traditional white Spanish pueblos where people are friendly and welcoming. Village life is easy to join in with and, if you do want to have a go at learning any Spanish, people are happy to talk to you and are rarely critical of beginners. The nearest village (called Guajar Faraguit) has a lively bar , Breakfast, lunch and an evening meal are all offered, aswell as a full bar (including tapas), tea and coffee throughout the day. The area is excellent for walking and there are routes of all different lengths available. One route takes you via the remains of a castle which centuries ago was held by the Moors. Our land is on one of the mountainsides and has far-reaching views of mountainous peaks and plenty of sunshine as it is south facing. Village fiestas happen several times a year, which usually involves drinking, dancing and paella and all are welcome.
Within a 10 minute drive is Velez de Benaudalla which is a bigger village and which has the Nazrid gardens which are beautiful peace gardens leading down to caves. Velez de Benaudalla has a friendly population and has several cafes and bars,.
A 20 minute drive brings you to the coast, Salobrena, Alumecar and Motril being the three closest towns in that direction. Our part of the coastline is known as the Costa Tropical, where pleasant beaches, beach bars, nice restaurants and bigger supermarkets can all be found, aswell as a more multinational clientele. All of these towns have charming old parts to them with typical examples of Spanish architecture, steep narrow streets and authentic Andalusian way of life.
40 mins by car is the Alpujarras, a well known and stunning mountain range directly east of us. There are numerous very attractive towns and villages in the Alpujarras with a large number of eco-minded foreigners amongst their numbers. Las Alpujarras sit at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, mainland Spain's highest mountain range, the top of which is covered in snow for at least half of the year, during which a busy ski resort is open. Motorway access means that the Sierra Nevada is about an hour's drive away.
From Granada (approx 45 minute drive) the Sierra Nevada is visible. Granada is a great city with the albaicin (the old Moorish quarter) and the Alhambra being must-see places. It also has all sorts of modern shopping opportunities but plenty of old charm aswell. As does Malaga which is a 2.5 hour bus journey and well worth a visit. There are stunning views out to sea from its castle, lovely craft markets along the port, plenty of bodegas where lovely local wine can be learnt about and a great central food market. Very Andalusian with lots of evidence of customs dating far back.
Whilst we can't guarantee providing our car for transport, if we are going somewhere that interests you or you need a lift to catch public transport from somewhere then we may be able to help you with this. The journey times that I have quoted relate to car use and obviously public transport will take longer.
Association caritative
Cet hôte est une association caritative déclarée dans son pays et recherche des bénévoles pour l'aider dans ses projets.
Projets impliquant des enfants
Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.
Aide
Helping hours can be flexible we just ask for 20 hrs total. Tasks include, basic gardening , planting , composting, tree care, help with recycled and natural materials to create environmentally sympathetic art, wood and stone craft .
Langues parlées
Anglais: Courant
Espagnol: Intermédiaire
Hébergement
We will make our white bell tent available,.It has sides that can be raised to improve air circulation. It stands on a flat pitch on a terrace that has particularly lovely mountain views across farmland. We will provide mattress, bedding and pillow, aswell as bathroom facilities (inclduing flushing porcelain toilet) plus an outdoor kitchen. There are numerous areas of seating dotted about the land aswell as a dining table under one of the trees. Hand washing for clothes and laundary are on site.
Self catering and occasional communal meals provided. There is a kitchen with essentials and fresh produce sufficient for Monday’s to Friday’s, cereals and fruit for breakfast. Weekend meals not provided.
An outdoor kitchen is provided for workawers and will include a basic larder of fresh fruit, vegetables, pulses , grains,proteins, bread, tea and coffee, cereals etc .These are supplied for helping days only ( Monday , Tuesday, Wednesday , Thursday morning) for breakfast , lunch and dinner. Workawayers usually cook for themselves or each other . You can be as communal or not as you wish . We do not provide food for non-working days (usually Friday, Saturday, Sunday) as you will be expected to provide for yourselves during your free time.
Autres infos...
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Informations complémentaires
Accès Internet
Accès Internet limité
Nous avons des animaux
Nous sommes fumeurs
Familles bienvenues
Espace pour garer des vans
I can take up to three motor homes, two large up to 7.5 tonnes and one van sized
Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux
Contact us.
Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?
Plus de 2
Feedback (13)
There was plenty of work to choose from, so there is definitely something for everyone. Dan made sure that we didn't work too much and that we had enough time to explore the area.
We had bad weather for the last few days (lots of rain), but Dan still did everything he could… read more
During this time we built a compost toilet, made steps out of clay, helped run a "reggae roast" event, amongst other light gardening and weeding tasks. Of our main project, Dan was super supportive, working on the land throughout weekdays, always available to provide us… read more
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Feedback
Ce sont des évaluations supplémentaires en option lorsque les membres laissent un feedback. La note moyenne pour chaque option est affichée.
Exactitude du profil:
(5.0)
Échange culturel:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
There was plenty of work to choose from, so there is definitely something for everyone. Dan made sure that we didn't work too much and that we had enough time to explore the area.
We had bad weather for the last few days (lots of rain), but Dan still did everything he could… read more
During this time we built a compost toilet, made steps out of clay, helped run a "reggae roast" event, amongst other light gardening and weeding tasks. Of our main project, Dan was super supportive, working on the land throughout weekdays, always available to provide us… read more
I spent 2 weeks there with a friend, Martin. We both agree that it was too short. Time there goes too quickly.
Dan and his family are really nice and warm people. And Dan has a huge amount of knowledge to share with people, about sustainable way of leaving there, way of seeing life,..
At Guajares nature we… read more
We loved it so much at Dans place, its really hard to describe.
For 4 weeks we did things like: carrob… read more
Dan, Cas and Leona are an incredible family, they knew how to make us feel good from the first moment, there was always good communication and great… read more
Zain and Rachel both in a personal and worker are a true pleasure to have around.
They come with a different set of skills and thought processes which definitely complimented our project, either as a team or separately. Self contained and sociable they mix well with other… read more
The land is situated on a hill side, with… read more
I cannot recommend this place enough.
I felt welcome from day one and felt more and more at home each day.
Dan made sure that we were comfortable and always had what we needed (and more).
The communication has always been clear and I have… read more
