Building Dreams and Friendships: Our Journey with 100+ Volunteers.
From February 2018 to March 2020, our home transformed into a vibrant community where over 100 incredible volunteers shared their creativity, talents, knowledge, heart, soul – and yes, even a bit of their blood and sweat!
Through the WorkAway platform, we opened our doors to a dazzling array of people from all walks of life and every corner of the world.
In exchange for their hard work and friendship, we offered them a warm bed, a cozy home, hot showers, and hearty meals.
What we got in return was so much more: skilled builders, artists, carpenters, cooks, permaculture experts, designers of all kinds, photographers, personal trainers, yoga teachers, and more.
Some were seasoned pros, while others learned as they went, eager to make their mark on our home.
Together, we tackled projects big and small.
From constructing an epic treehouse to carving out flat terraces on the rugged mountainside, every corner of our property was touched by their hands and hearts.
There were dry walls built with dedication and creativity, a dragon-inspired meditation bench, and art installations that brought color and life to hidden spaces.
We planted trees, created gardens, raised bees, built water systems, and cultivated vegetables and friendships alike.
Each project became a unique piece of our shared story, saturated with the volunteers’ love, laughter, and care.
What made this time so special was not just the incredible physical transformation of our home, but the bond we formed with each person who passed through our lives.
We came to love working with volunteers, finding that their dedication and heart often surpassed that of professionals.
Every project became a reflection of the joy and passion our volunteers poured into it, leaving a piece of their soul and DNA in every stone they moved, every tree they planted, every wall they built.
When our last volunteers left just as COVID closed the world, we found ourselves in a suddenly quiet, spacious house.
For the first time in two years, it was just us.
We took a breath, enjoying the stillness and marveling at the home we’d created with so many amazing people.
It felt like the important projects had been completed, leaving us with a sense of peace and accomplishment.
Fast forward to the day I’m writing this, four and a half years later, and we’re back at it, welcoming new volunteers – but this time in a new way, with just two at a time, savoring each moment and each friendship.
Who knows what’s next?
Maybe we’ll slowly bring back that vibrant energy, that heart-centered camaraderie, as we welcome new friends into our lives and keep building, dreaming, and laughing together.
