Ways to Gain More Skills While Building an Eco-friendly World
If you’re ready to push up your sleeves and start changing the world, but not quite sure where to start or how much time or energy you have to invest, WorkAway and WorldPackers are two fantastic places to start!
As more people are becoming aware of the catastrophic events that are negatively impacting our eco-system and social habits, opportunities for meaningful change are being sought. People who want to return to a more harmonious way of living with each other in more natural environments, yet lacking the skills for transition can find a variety of opportunities for learning by exchange volunteering at one of these sites.
Both WorkAway and WorldPackers offer opportunities to learn new skills through cultural exchange. The idea is to find a host who appeals to your desired area of skill building or ideal landmark and connect with them to make arrangements for staying for an agreed amount of time, offering your own skills in return.
Whether you feel qualified or not, everyone likely has some sort of skills they can offer their hosts, such as cooking, cleaning, yard work or any type of physical labor. Those who possess more specific skills such as carpentry, design, permaculture, digital skills or off-grid expertise can offer valuable contributions as well to the most compatible hosts. These types of places thrive on creativity so those skilled in art, music and inventive passions get a chance to collaborate with their hosts to come up with unique ways to express or display their craft.
Each host is different as WorkAway and WorldPackers are platforms for connecting private hosts with individuals or families. Some hosts are running eco-friendly businesses or larger-scale homesteads or communities but many hosts consist of single individuals or families wishing to offer a place to stay to volunteers willing to help them out with needs they can’t do by themselves. Most of them are very ground-level type ventures. They are often well-suited for travelers or immigrants who are in transition. Some are only seeking house-sitting exchange, babysitting, dog-walking or language-exchange, so the opportunities are very diverse.
One of the greatest advantages to those seeking to live closer to people and/or nature is the short-term commitment to any host. This is what I find most attractive, because I get to explore different avenues of interest before fully committing to which direction I want to take long-term. And the best part is, even if I don’t have my own farm or eco-village, I can contribute to helping build one that already exists with those who are whole-heartedly embracing the things I value and want to see more of in the world.
One host may offer a chance to learn organic gardening, another may offer vegan cooking classes. You may want to see if farm life is really for you and get to experience it first-hand before making the huge decision of packing up and leaving city life behind. You may want to add certain animals to your farm, but want to learn from someone with more expertise before bringing them onboard. Maybe you want to get started in hydroponics or building with raw earthen-based materials. Maybe you want to learn how to build an igloo, learn to surf, try your hand at pottery or ride a camel! The possibilities really are endless -and with both sites offering international stays, adventure awaits!
So, what are you waiting for? Hop online to find an off-grid site near you or connect with others who share your passions and enthusiasm for any area of life and start making the world a better place!
WorkAway and WorldPackers ask a fee for using their services. Contact me to get a discount code before signing up! Happy wandering! Bon voyage!
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Thank you for reading!
– Forever Blessed
Originally published on 1.26.23 @ Forever Blessed Life
https://www.workaway.info/
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