Stay with us by a beautiful lake, wake up to the sound of birds, enjoy the sunrise from our beach, disconnect from the noise, become more sustainable, feel the essence of nature and climb the volcano where we live.
We are looking for self-sufficient and collaborative individuals to join our team of four volunteers dedicated to maintaining and guarding the property. If you value independence, don't mind routine tasks, love being surrounded by nature and embrace a self-directed way of living, this could be the perfect fit for you!
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๐ข ๐ข ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐: ๐๐ฒ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐, ๐๐ฒ ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐น๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ธ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ณ๐๐น๐น๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ณ๐ถ๐น๐ฒ. ๐ข๐๐ฟ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป ๐ด๐ผ๐ฎ๐น ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐บ๐ถ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฒ๐
๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐, ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐
๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ป๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ. ๐ง๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐น๐ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ข ๐ข
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๐ข๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ช๐ข๐ฅ๐: a very small workload
๐ช๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: ideal for digital nomads
๐จ๐ก๐๐ค๐จ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐๐๐ง: secluded, nature, lake beach, stunning views
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Hello! My name is Hugo and I live on the slopes of San Pedro volcano in Guatemala, in a wild and truly isolated area of Lake Atitlan, accessible only by water. There are no roads, no close neighbors and no noise. Just pure nature, the songs of birds and a stunning beach. Iโm on a journey to build a home in this paradise. Most of the time, I share this space with volunteers, some chickens, a cat and two dogs.
Over the past four years, Iโve welcomed more than 100 volunteers, and together weโve worked on a variety of projects aimed at becoming more self-sufficient and sustainable, while continuously expanding our knowledge along the way. The following activities wonโt be part of your assigned tasks, but during your free time, youโll have the chance to explore them and deepen your understanding if you're interested:
-Beach creation: we constructed two massive natural retaining walls that not only help us collect an abundance of sand for future construction but also allow us to create our very own beach. A serene spot where the lake meets the land, perfect for relaxation and enjoying the breathtaking views.
-Bulrush cultivation: along our lakeshore, weโve introduced bulrush, a remarkable aquatic plant. Its roots help reduce water contamination and when dried, its leaves become versatile materials for crafting mats, pillows and more. Itโs a perfect example of using natureโs gifts to enhance both our environment and daily life.
-Multi-grafted trees: weโre preparing rootstocks for 10 different fruit tree genera (citrus, prunus, persea, mangifera, malus, pyrus, solanum, morus, ficus and annona). In just a few years, these trees have the potential to produce over 50 different types of fruit, creating a diverse and bountiful orchard that nourishes both body and soul.
-Vermicomposting: we manage a thriving population of over two million Eisenia fetida (red wigglers/Californian red worms) that diligently process 100% of our food waste, turning it into rich, fertile compost that feeds our gardens and plants.
-Dry toilet composting: thanks to wild Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly larvae), weโve successfully achieved 100% feces processing. This sustainable approach not only eliminates waste but also contributes to a healthier environment.
-Chickens: Weโre developing a resilient, semi-autonomous breed of chicken adapted to local conditions. Now in its second generation, this hardy lineage plays an important role in our ecosystem and long-term sustainability goals.
-Living mulch: to keep our soil healthy and protected, we use four different species as cover crops: white clover, comfrey, baby sun rose, mint, tradescantia and asthma plant. These living mulches enrich the soil, prevent erosion and support biodiversity.
-Plant diversity: in addition to the native species of the area, weโve introduced a wide variety of other plants: cacti, palms, succulents, orchids, medicinal and aromatic herbs that weโve gathered from friends, local nurseries and places weโve visited. This rich diversity not only enhances the beauty of our surroundings but also supports a more resilient ecosystem.
-Species identification: we are actively documenting the animal biodiversity on our land using the iNaturalist application. To date, we have recorded over 350 species, contributing valuable data to the scientific community and fostering a deeper connection with the natural world around us.
-Nursery: weโve created a dedicated plant nursery space where we care for over 5,000 small seedlings and propagate numerous plant species. This nursery is the heart of our reforestation and gardening efforts, ensuring a continuous supply of healthy, vibrant plants.
-Irrigation systems: we use a variety of efficient irrigation methods, including sprinklers, drip tape, blind hose drippers and oscillating sprinklers. These systems ensure optimal water distribution, promoting healthy plant growth while conserving resources and enhancing sustainability.
-Tree forest: half of our land is being reforested with a diverse mix of trees: pine, cypress, cedar, teak, eucalyptus, jacaranda, matilisguate, mango, lychee, jackfruit, papaya, lemon and other firewood, fruit and medicinal trees. This growing forest will provide resources for generations to come and restore the natural balance of the land.
-Solar system: we have a renewable energy setup consisting of solar panels, an inverter and a battery, ensuring a reliable and sustainable power supply. Additionally, a submersible pump with an auto-filling tank and level control provides a consistent water source. The entire system, including piping and wiring, is designed for maximum efficiency and self-sufficiency.
-Transforming raw materials: from jams and tinctures to soaps, shampoos and lipsticks, weโre committed to making the most of the abundance nature provides. We transform raw materials into a wide range of products: syrups, glycerates, balms, wines, vinegars and incenses, oils; ensuring nothing goes to waste and everything is cherished.
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Help is 2 hours per day, always from Monday to Friday, usually from 7:30 to 9:30 or from 10:00 to 12:00. This schedule is fixed and not flexible. All volunteers choose one of those shifts and share the same days off (Saturday and Sunday).
Depending on the day or time of the year, the tasks may be organized by me, a local worker, or someone else, such as my partner, a close friend, or a lead volunteer. Sometimes Iโll be there to guide the tasks directly; other times, another person will take the lead. In some cases, one of us will explain the work in advance, and youโll carry it out independently.
Currently, Eliseo, a local worker, is in charge of coordinating the volunteers. He speaks Spanish and Tzโutujil, but no English. He has extensive experience working with volunteers who donโt speak Spanish and communicates effectively through gestures, examples, and a patient approach to make sure everyone understands the tasks.
The tasks vary throughout the year depending on the seasons and since the property is very large, tasks often require consistent focus for extended periods. For this reason, itโs very likely that you will be doing the same task for the entirety of your stay.
During the rainy season, tasks primarily involve clearing vegetation, while in the dry season, the focus shifts to building dry stone walls, moving rocks and sand or digging trenches and holes. However, depending on the needs at the time, your tasks may vary depending on the priorities during your stay, as other types of work may also be required. Regardless of the exact nature of the work, meeting the following key physical and mental requirements will help you determine if you're well prepared for the job. Feel free to ask us if you have any specific questions.
Physically
-Ability to lift 25 kg and walk 100 m: Ideal for those who enjoy staying active and fit.
-Work in the sun for up to 4 hours (max 26ยฐC): Enjoy a pleasant outdoor environment.
-No allergies to bees, mosquitoes, dogs or cats: Interact with nature worry-free.
-Paddle for 45 min in a flat bottom canoe (applicable only if you canโt pay for a motorboat ride or adapt to isolation): A chance to enjoy canoeing.
Mentally
-Adapt to isolation (applicable only if you canโt paddle or pay for a motorboat ride): Develop independence and mental resilience.
-Perform the same work each day: Ideal for those who prefer routine and stability.
-Follow precise instructions and accept feedback positively: Ensure tasks are completed accurately and consistently.
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Forestry
Wild foraging
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Traditional crafts
Renewable energy production
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
No-till farming
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
Former WWOOFer
1
Hectares
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2.5
Acres
