HelpX – Volunteer to help out
I found out about this cool service from the Journeywoman newsletter, which is also worth subscribing to for their cool tips and occasional nuggets of usefulness for the permanent traveler (although it’s geared more towards vacation travelers).
HelpX describes themselves as “an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.” Basically, it’s sort of like Servas for volunteers — you sign up on the website as a volunteer or a host. If you’re a host, you list where you are, and what you need done — say you need help in your garden, or getting your crops in. The volunteers post profiles as well (or, with an upgrade of 20 Euros for 2 years to the Premier account, can contact hosts directly), and the hosts may choose from the lists of available volunteers who they’d like to come stay with them. Volunteers are expected to put in a certain number of hours per week, and there is not necessarily any time limit for stays.
HelpX can be found in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Europe, including England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Finland, Bulgaria and many other European countries.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
[…] Rolf Potts writtes about HelpX – Volunteer to help out. HelpX describes themselves as “an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation. […]
December 7th, 2009 at 8:42 am
You should also try http://www.workaway.info I´ve used there site various times in the last year to great success. It works on the same principle ..but and in my opinion is much less complcated to use than wwoof.
January 18th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Thanks for writing about The Caretaker Gazette. They have the best website I have found for rent-free living. I used to pay $865/month in rent – and now I’m living rent-free as a result of housesitting opportunities from their site.
Carol
December 22nd, 2011 at 1:06 am
Hi,
Its me Gagan Poudel from Nepal. I have my own organic farm and as soon as possible I’ll open a school for adopted,homeless and poor children. I need help for built a school building. If you think my this work is good then help me. My email id is gaganisalone@yahoo.com. If you want to visit my organic farm and my school please mail me. My farm and school is 36 km far from Kathmandu,which is capital of Nepal.
Thank you.
January 27th, 2013 at 7:47 pm
I can recommend helpx to all, I have one more site to go to in March, and that will finish about ten months of this lifestyle. Definately join helpx, the fee is worth what you get in return. Predictably most people will have postive expereinces, but there are a few stinky rotten people in the bunch. Make sure you ask plenty of questions before you go, and if it smells like fish, it probably is fish. Beware!