Hands on eco experience in a regenerative home garden in Maholawa, Sri Lanka

Infos

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  Description

  We are building a regenerative agroforestry and hospitality startup near Sri Lanka’s international airport. At home with us are our companions Purupuru (our white cat), and Louis and Bruce (our Dobermans), Auty Malani, Charaka and Aruni (In the profile picture - not frequently in the property these days as she is pregnant )with other volunteers, family and friends who are very much part of the the experience.
  
  We run a privately owned, ecoconscious Slow Life forest garden retreat based on traditional Kandyan forest garden principles. Our project blends sustainable land use with a growing, personalized airport escape experience designed mainly for couples and families seeking deep rest, reconnection, and meaningful time in nature.
  
  We create space for people to slow down, reconnect with themselves, each other, and the natural world. Through forest garden experiences, slow living, and garden-to-table meals, guests experience a form of authentic, nature-based luxury rooted in Sri Lankan tradition.
  
  This is a for-profit venture, and we believe sustainability and profitability must go together to create long-term impact. Our goal is to demonstrate that ecological gardening and hospitality can be both regenerative and economically viable.
  
  The type of work we do with Workawayers evolves over time. Currently, we are especially interested in individuals with strong skills or interests in areas such as content creation, social media, storytelling, strategy, entrepreneurship, data analysis, hospitality, gardening, horticulture, art, photography, aesthetics, dog training, English teaching and hands-on creative or practical work. We also value people who are building something meaningful in their own lives or working toward a larger purpose.
  
  Support is needed not only in the garden and chalets, but also in brand building, communication, guest experience design, marketing, and business development. We are not an NGO or charity. This is a structured business environment where we work toward clear outcomes while maintaining a peaceful, nature-connected lifestyle.
  
  We maintain a strict no-plastic policy due to limited recycling facilities in the area. Workawayers are expected to avoid single-use plastics and respect the ecological integrity of the garden. Our philosophy is based on quality and differentiation. We focus on creating a clean, aesthetic, respectful, and healing environment for our guests. Workawayers who appreciate these values will benefit most from the experience.
  
  Meals may include eggs, fish, or chicken. We are not a vegan property, but dietary preferences can be discussed in advance.
  
  This is ideal for:
  
  1) Naturalists, photographers, and nature enthusiasts
  Those who enjoy observing and documenting birds, wildlife, and plant diversity. We are building a living record of the garden through simple logging, photography, and thoughtful observation to help maintain and improve its natural balance.
  
  2) Content creators and influencers
  Individuals who can authentically capture and share the essence of this place through photography, video, storytelling, or social media, aligned with a calm, nature-focused narrative.
  
  3)People interested in guest experience and hospitality
  Those who can notice details, suggest improvements, and help shape how guests feel, rest, and connect with the space.
  
  4) Nature-aligned and hands-on contributors
  People who enjoy gardening, simple DIY, and maintaining a clean, peaceful, and beautiful environment.
  
  5)Thoughtful individuals who value contribution over comfort
  Those who respect structure, bring positive energy, and want to be part of building something meaningful.
  
  6) Healers
  Those who want to improve our healing philopsophy, Improve the healing experience, mainly in terms of our Aesthetic Healing Agriculture.
  
  7) People with Enterprenurial mindset
  Those who are open to brainstorm together on business and commercial aspects and are ready to join in co-creation and shaping our start-up into the next phase.
  
  If you are mainly looking for a relaxed stay with maximum comfort and flexibility, this may not be the right fit.
  
  Our Approach to Travel & Exchange
  We believe travel should uplift local communities and create real value. That’s why we encourage
  1. Supporting local transport (like tuk-tuks or PickMe/Uber) during diffcult economic times
  2. Eating local food and engaging with nearby communities
  3. Being mindful of the impact we create as visitors
  For us, Workaway is not just help. It’s shared learning, respect, and creating travel ecosystems that enable progress, thriving, and meaningful human connection.
  
  What You Can Expect From Us
  1. A peaceful, safe, and unique forest garden environment
  2. Guidance, knowledge sharing, and space to learn and explore
  3. A respectful and friendly atmosphere where you feel part of something real
  
  What We Expect From You
  1. A genuine willingness to contribute and learn
  2. Responsibility, honesty, and positive energy
  3. Respect for nature, people, and shared spaces

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Pratique d’une langue

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Enseignement

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Accueil / tourisme

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Culture

  

  Ferme

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Art et design

  

  Jardinage

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Animaux

  

  Plage

  

  Nature

  

  Montagne

  

  Randonnée

  

  Cyclisme
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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

  Staying with us will be a great opportunity to explore the semi-rural life and culture of Sri Lanka. Our workawayers will witness and participate in the traditional village life, which includes farming and gardening. Cultural and religious events also regularly take place, including performances of traditional Sri Lankan music and dance. We are located 30 minutes away from the historical landmarks of an ancient Sri Lankan kingdom, where it is easy to see the remains of Sri Lanka's cultural and historical evolution.

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  Aide

  We welcome workawayers with positive energy who are interested in agroforestry, gardening, and entrepreneurship. You can support us with a mix of practical and creative tasks, including maintaining garden beds, watering, weeding, harvesting (such as pepper picking), grooming vanilla vines, hedge trimming, and general housekeeping.
  For those interested in entrepreneurship, there are opportunities to contribute to business development, strategy, branding, digital platforms, content creation, and data analysis. You will be part of shaping a unique “healing as a service” concept built around a living forest garden, with potential for global reach.
  As we evolve into a garden-based healing retreat, volunteers can also assist with herb preparation, guest experience, and day-to-day retreat activities.
  We also value skills in enhancing garden aesthetics, woodworking, painting, dog training, music, yoga, filmmaking, storytelling, songwriting, or teaching English to our staff. Any unique skills that align with our vision are always welcome.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
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  Hébergement

  At this place, we provide our workawayers with a clean, safe, and comfortable room for accommodation. Our workawayers will have a very calm and peaceful space for rest, and also delicious home-cooked meals prepared with love, using herbs, greens, and fruits harvested from the garden. Depending on the preferences of the workawayers, they will get a unique chance to experience an outdoor shower hidden among trees and shrubs. It will be more like a homestay close to nature, giving our workawayers a different kind of experience, deeply connected to this land.

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  Autres infos...

  During leisure time, there are many attractive places to explore and hang around in our area. The ancient ruins of the Kingdom of Dambadeniya rock located in a top of mountain and adjoining temple preserving centuries old wall art. And, for beach lovers, Negombo is 50 min away if anyone wish to sit in a pub while tasting a cocktail and listen live instrumental music and songs by the beachside or have a delicious seafood or westernized dinner. In this area public transport is easily accessible, busses are frequently running during the period start from 4.00 am and to 9.00 pm of the day. Uber and Pick me is not very common where the garden is located, but it is also available to find within few kilometers away. If expected to travel quickly can call for a local tuk tuk driver as well.

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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

  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il aimait accueillir les digital nomads.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Enough parking space

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Yes. If you are expecting to visit with your pets, we will welcome you without any doubt, but you need higher supervision over them, have the whole responsibility of the safety of your pet including food and water. Further we kindly expect that your pets should not be disturbance for other animals dwell in the surrounding.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Mes animaux

  

  Puru Puru (2 ans)

  

  Louis & Bruce (5 ans)

  2 doberman dogs

Sécurité du site

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