Help us rebuild of an old farmstead in the south of Slovakia

Location: Abelova- lazy Madacka, Slovakia

We live in a VERY ECO-friendly environment, so our living approach is the same.

Although we do not hold any eco-certification or eco-label, an ecological way of life has long been an essential part of our adult lives.

We do not use artificial fertilisers in the garden, but a mixture of water and soaked nettles or dissolved chicken droppings.
We have been sorting waste on the plot for the second year in a row. We prefer eco-friendly cosmetics.
We do have a car, but we often get around by bike. We have some power tools, but we only use mechanisation where necessary.

Returning from a walk in the forest with a bag full of garbage (in place of a basket full of mushrooms) is something that is self-evident to us. We often did this even in very remote places while travelling through Latin America, where we even managed to organise a mass cleanup together with the natives.

In short, a long-term stay in nature leads us to coexist with it somehow automatically and, of course, without any targeted effort or strong personal effort.

We have some animals, but we definitely want more in the future.
There are plenty of dears/hinds all around us. Imagine the rut here! It's huge! Plenty of singing deer are everywhere in autumn.

Having 2 small kids, I have a lot to do. So we would highly appreciate helping hands on many projects (trash picking/sorting, cultivating our garden-to-be, helping to build some project from stone and so on ... it is a huge challenge here, and we know it is not for everyone. We live in very basic, Spartan conditions...

During the summer of 2023, we lived in a former bee cabin/caravan/maringotte (without bees, obviously ;) ), which we brought here. Subsequently, we temporarily remodelled one room in which we lived till last year when then the mushroom ate our wooden floor (!!!). Now it's removed, and we are about to redo this room this year (2026). So we have either the bee cabin (still without the bees) or a tent for you to live in. There are also plenty of trees to hang a hammock on.

I like cooking. We eat mostly dishes without meat. So if you are a vegetarian or eat meat from time to time, we are fine this way.

The closest village (even with the store) is 6 km away from here. But we go for big shopping (app 30 min. car drive) twice a month.

3 times a week, there is a bread caravan passing by (4 km on bike ;)) from whom we buy yummy bread. We haven't repaired our ancient stone-made oven yet.

So if nothing put you off till now, you are our type of guy/lady :) and we are looking forward to having you here and spending some good times together....well, only if you are a NON-smoker ;). Might you be travelling with kid(s) or kid-friendly pet(s)...you are welcome too.

WORKING ARRANGEMENT

We have so much work here, so many different focuses with different levels of skills needed, that everyone will surely find something to do, from an enthusiastic beginner to an experienced pro. We currently know about or plan to start or complete the following projects:
- Garden trees are subject to spring and summer pruning. At the end of summer, if it is fruitful, so is the harvest.
- Fruit trees fencing/mesh repairs (protection against wild animal bites) throughout the alley.
- We are also building fencing around the garden.
- We would love to build one or two wooden tool sheds / a garden house, and a treehouse for the children and two outhouses for everyone ;-)
- We are currently preparing a water pipe from the well to the house and a waste pipe from the house. As soon as we get pressurised running water, we will also distribute it throughout the garden and build an outdoor communal shower with a wooden grate.

- This year, we would also like to build a stone stable for goats and sheep 5 5 m and another stone wall.
- We recently purchased an older caravan. We plan to renovate it to increase the comfort of accommodation for our volunteers and other visitors.
- In general, we have several building structures that require sanding and impregnation coating.
- We also have a lot of work to do on the house, which we want to do ourselves if possible. We would welcome help with repairing the floor or applying clay plaster.
- In the longer term, we would like to catch more rainwater and therefore build retention tanks, a root water purifier,
- A stone well dug would deserve a new shelter in the near future.

- Gardening and pet care throughout the year.
- Another year-round activity is cutting and chopping wood - an excellent stress release technique / anger management ;)
- Although we have already removed most of the original waste, it still needs to be collected and sorted. If anyone has the ambition to even upcycle it (art creation), our doors are wide open.
- Another activity that would free us up to achieve our goals could be taking care of our children. More precisely, playing or inventing some activities with/for them.

We welcome any help, but as former slow travellers, we would prefer a longer stay where we can find more time for a deeper cultural exchange, such as conversation, cooking together, playing board games, a trip to the surrounding area, and so on.

LIVING ARRANGEMENT

- Currently, during the house's reconstruction, we are sleeping in a wooden maringotte, which can accommodate 2 adults, 2 children, and +1 additional person in an emergency.

- We recently bought a caravan for 5 people, but it needs to be renovated first. In case of an emergency, 2 people could sleep there.

- During the summer, we can lend you a tent for two. ...well, so we can also in the winter season, but just for the hardened (as we are located 680 m amsl).

- Finally, you can still hang a hammock between two trees (as we did for most of our Latin American adventure (🔒[Complete verification to view link] and enjoy fresh air, Moon and sparkling stars - mostly the only light during the night in our place.

WEBSITE

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Help us rebuild of an old farmstead in the south of Slovakia