Descrição
Amazing location nestled in the foothills of Morne Fraser overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and bay of Castle Bruce beach on the east coast of Dominica.

Our site suffered severe damage during the passing of Category 5 Hurricane Maria in September 2017. All wooden structures including 2 homes, 3 guesthouse cabins and our school space were totally destroyed and our families lost everything from floorboards to solar panels including fridge, oven, furniture, mattresses, and, most heart-breakingly, all our books and 80% of our tree and garden crops.

6 years on, things are better and we are focussing on WHAT WE HAVE!!
- A new concrete dwelling with open living space, kitchen, shower and flushing toilet
- A wooden cabin for rental
- Natural spring water source
- Double vault compost toilet (structure in need of regeneration)
- Tool shed and collection of basic tools.
- A bunch of salvaged lumber
- Seeds and some basic organic produce in the ground
- Our livestock and pets: dogs Gemini & Komatsu, and cats Moringa and Neymar :-)
- Life, love and each other <3

Living on this beautiful mountainside, developing an off-grid homestead using the principles of permaculture design, is Sian and 2 children ages 10 and 4 ☺️ Each day is busy regardless of projects done on the property!

The long-term vision is to create a self-sufficient homestead and space for an expansive educational community where travellers and residents can experience life in harmony with the thriving natural world whilst engaging in a range of self-care and mindfulness retreats, permaculture design courses and natural building workshops.

I am currently focused on:
Completing my concrete dome house and restoring/maintaining the garden spaces between the cabin and my house.

Additional projects when the time and team are right ☺️
- constructing a small fishpond and natural swim/plunge pool
- rebuilding the structure of the compost toilet
- building a cob oven and outdoor bar & bbq area
- installing a simple outdoor shower
- planting wind-breaks such as bamboo and fruit trees and erosion control such as vetiver grass.

I am rebuilding the property almost from scratch on a shoestring budget... and would love support from committed, conscious, kindhearted helpers who can handle (and enjoy!) basic living conditions. Construction or home renovation experience would be amazing. Knowledge/experience of using permaculture would be ideal.

Volunteers will stay in a cabin if available, or a tent with shared bathroom facilities. There is slow internet available via my phone for checking mails (on your own device).

We are located in a fairly remote rural area surrounded by farms and forest. Beautiful river hang-out spots and some hiking trails are close by. The beach is a 25 minute walk. A nearby workaway host has been slandering me and telling volunteers not to stay with me...please ignore him.

Thanks for reading 💚 much respect and gratitude.

*️️️️️️ *️️️️️️ *️️️️️️ *️️️️️️ *️️️️️️ *️️️️️️ *️️️️️️
Tipos de ajuda e oportunidades de aprendizado
Ajuda em projetos ambientais
Jardinagem
Construção/faça você mesmo
Ajuda em fazenda
Cuidar de crianças/atividades criativas
Criar/cozinhar refeições caseiras
Ajuda a cuidar da casa
Manutenção geral
Oportunidades de intercâmbio cultural e aprendizado
You will learn....

- to survive in the bush with very little resources
- to construct hurricane-resilient concrete dome structures
- to live with limited electricity and internet connection
- to see the beauty of the natural world in its purest form
- to love and laugh no matter your hardships
Projetos que envolvem crianças
Este projeto pode envolver crianças. Para mais informações, veja aqui nossas diretrizes e dicas.
Ajuda
We are hoping to host volunteers with some building skills, especially carpenters and people with construction experience - but this is not essential. More important to be fairly strong and physically fit, possess positive and conscious vibes and have the right attitude and work ethic.
Idiomas
Idiomas
Inglês: Fluente
Espanhol: Intermediário
Francês: Iniciante
Este anfitrião oferece intercâmbio de idiomas
Este anfitrião indicou que tem interesse em compartilhar seu idioma ou em aprender um novo.
Entre em contato com ele para obter mais informações.
Acomodação
In tents - if you have your own please bring it as we have limited resources. As mentioned above, all lodgings were destroyed so conditions are basic.

We share the toilet and shower located in the house.
Algo mais...
Buses run to Roseau (capital) monday-saturday. We are close to the beach, river, hiking trails, Kalinago territory for indigenous culture, mountains, rainforest... Nature adventures to be had at every turn.
Mais alguns detalhes
- Acesso à internet
- Acesso à internet limitado
- Temos mascotes
- Somos fumantes
- Pode hospedar famílias
Espaço para estacionar campervans
Yes but I would be surprised if anyone came to Dominica that way but sure, fine with me!
Quantos Workawayers pode acomodar?
2
Horas previstas
Flexible but totalling 25 hours per week

Nº de ref. de anfitrião: 284495423436

Comentário (7)

25 jul. 2023

Deixado pelo Workawayer (Rebecca) para o anfitrião

I am super late with my feedback, but I am thinking of our time with Aneya, Mario and Sian every single day a heart filled with gratitude.

From the very first moment, we had so warm and open communication. Sian hosted us even though it was a last minute request, and she whole-heartedly opened her home and heart for us. We stayed in the cabin… read more slightly up the hill which has a stunning view over the entire bay. At that time, the running water was not working and at times the rain would come through at some spots which was no problem though for us and we were aware of this before arrival. (I am just mentioning it so other travellers get a realistic picture.)

The family's property is tucked in a lovely spot, elevated above the village, and there are gorgeous rivers and streams. We were there in the rainy season, so sometimes it was VERY wet. (But coming from Northern Europe, we greatly enjoyed the fact that it was rainy AND warm.) Both me and the kids loved the big rains (at least for most parts) and to live so closely in and with nature. We had rain jackets and rain boots with us that we used when we didn't want to walk barefoot or get our clothes soaking wet a 20th time during a day. Also, wet bags were helpful to store some sensitive items (papers, electronics etc.) in our luggage. And if you want to wear sandals or other shoes, avoid leather - it sadly gets mouldy so easily when it is so wet.

The biggest challenges for us were the sandflies and their bites and that the availability of food is very limited in the shop in the village. Fruit and veggies, for example, were only available when they were growing (and ripe) in the garden, along the road or if you went to Rosseau to the market (which is a long and bumpy bus ride). The local shop is about 20 minutes walk or so from Sian's place; however, we had a hard time finding nutritious food that could be eaten without cooking. But greens such as moringa and wild spinach (don't remember the correct name) were generously available in Sian's garden, even basil growing in huge plants!

But what was most outstanding was Sian's infinite hospitality, generosity and creativity. Even during the times after the heavy earth slides where the road was completely blocked for 10 days or so, the water pipes to her house destroyed, massive destruction had happened to her land and food supplies were extremely short, Sian was using her magic to make the most creative meals and was always ready to share. I will never forget this. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Also, our kids had a wonderful time together and played and explored so much, especially by the rivers and the ocean.

Thanks to all three of you - I feel deep, deep gratitude and hope that we will be able to visit you again one day.

(Excelente )

22 mar. 2023

Feito pelo anfitrião para o Workawayer (Frances & Ernest Jeremy)

Frances and Jeremy were simply ideal volunteers. They are polite, enthusiastic and fun, showed real commitment to the project and made a heart-warming effort to befriend my children :-) Together we restored our water connection after heavy rains and landslides had caused severe damage to the system - this was a huge job and a fantastic achievement… read more

(Excelente )

2 fev. 2019

Deixado pelo Workawayer (CHARLIE & LOIK) para o anfitrião

we spend three nice weeks with Sian and Mario.
we helped sian for built an part of her new project.
ours kids and Mario haved play toguether, her garden is beautiful.
sian is very nice and cook healthy meal.
Thanks again for welcoming us.

(Excelente )

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25 jul. 2023

Deixado pelo Workawayer (Rebecca) para o anfitrião

(Excelente )

22 mar. 2023

Feito pelo anfitrião para o Workawayer (Frances & Ernest Jeremy)

(Excelente )

2 fev. 2019

Deixado pelo Workawayer (CHARLIE & LOIK) para o anfitrião

(Excelente )

9 jul. 2018

Deixado pelo Workawayer (Dominique) para o anfitrião

After spending around 5-6 weeks here, I feel blessed to be able to say that I left feeling like family. My time volunteering for Sian was truly transformative - having the opportunity to live so closely with nature was incredibly healing. Post-Maria has been hard on the country and it's people, but Dominica is bouncing back. It was in full… read more

(Excelente )

6 fev. 2017

Deixado pelo Workawayer (Alexander) para o anfitrião

I had great three weeks staying with Sian. She thankfully accepted me and a friend last minute. Her property is in a great mountain location with a fantastic view on the east coast.
We helped her with some projects in the garden and also build new furniture.
The food we cooked was way better than anything I could imagine. We cooked mainly… read more

(Excelente )

24 abr. 2016

Deixado pelo Workawayer (Francesco Maria) para o anfitrião

we spent one month in dominica with Sian and Mario. It was our favourite month of the whole six month trip. She is a compassionate and down to earth person. Things here happen at their own pace so I recommend it for people who are comfortable working on projects as they come along, who don't thrive on stress and structure. Mario is brilliant, a… read more

(Excelente )

15 mar. 2016

Deixado pelo Workawayer (Paul & Jennifer) para o anfitrião

had a great time helping out with various projects, and sometimes just hanging out. Very laid back atmosphere in a beautiful setting. Sian and her son Mario were a lot of fun, and I enjoyed interacting with them and other guests and helpers. If you are coming from North America or Europe, inquire if she needs any small items, as it is difficult to… read more

(Excelente )

9 jan. 2016

Deixado pelo Workawayer (Clara) para o anfitrião

I spent four days with Shaan and Mario in their beautiful little paradise. We worked on one of their two huts. I stayed in a tent with a comfortable matress, and Shaan prepared healthy, tasty meals served in calabash bowls. Breakfast was shared with the in-house guests.

It was a nice experience to be part of their project. The place is beautiful… read more

(Excelente )

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Regenerate an off-grid, hurricane-ravaged homestead using permaculture in Dominica

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