This hospitality exchange takes place in a small wooden house in Russia, about 600 km from Moscow, with host Nadya and her family. Volunteers help 4–5 hours per day with cleaning, dismantling old wooden buildings for firewood, clearing bushes and grass, preparing vegetable beds, small repairs and sometimes English conversation with local school students. Food and simple rustic accommodation are included, with options for private room, shared room or tent. The experience is very rural, with an outdoor toilet, basic facilities, wild forest full of mushrooms and berries, and quiet time by the river and under the stars.
My name is Nadya. I live with my family in Moscow, but in summer we spend our time in the countryside and I need some help to organise and improve this area. Maybe one day there will be a retreat centre here. In the past I was a backpacker and active traveller, both as a guest and as a host, so I have a lot of experience with hosting and travelling. We have a 4 year old daughter and she is always happy to meet new friends.
The place is about 600 km from Moscow (around 10 hours by train, then I pick you up by car). It is a great opportunity to make a stop if you travel with the Trans Siberian train. Couples and families are very welcome.
What type of host are you?
- Private / individual / family
What are you looking for help with?
- Cleaning
- Teaching /
language exchange - Farming /
gardening - General help
How many volunteers could you host?
- More than two
When would you need volunteers?
July and August 2020 (past dates – contact the host to check current availability).
How many hours of help per day?
- 4–5 hours of help per day
Note about the volunteer work and other expectations
I have a small wooden house in the deep countryside. It is a bit old and nobody has lived here for a long time. Around the house there are a few ruined wooden buildings – the work includes dismantling them for firewood. I also need help to clear the place of bushes and high grass, and to make beds for vegetables. There may be some small maintenance tasks in the house.
Another option is to give English conversation lessons for local school students. They learn English at school but do not have much practice and their teacher also lacks real speaking experience. Your assistance with this would be priceless, but your English should be good enough for conversation.
Are accommodation and food included?
Yes, we offer food and accommodation.
What type of accommodation can you provide?
- Private room
- Dormitory / shared rooms
- Tent
- Private room for a couple
Accommodation is quite simple and rustic (I live in the same way), but no worse than a basic hostel. There is a wooden toilet outside. Hot water is not guaranteed yet, we may need to heat it by oven. There are no hospitals nearby, so you should be healthy and used to countryside life and nature. In exchange you get a wild forest with mushrooms and berries and the possibility to buy natural milk and dairy products.
Diet – nutrition information
I provide simple, ordinary food, the same as I eat myself. If you need something special, there is a small supermarket in the area. We can cook together or separately, depending on your diet.
Visa – could you provide visa support, information or invitation letters?
I cannot help you with the visa, but I can provide registration once you arrive.
What to do in the free time
This is a good place to rest in nature. You can enjoy the forest, river, fishing, picking berries, watching the stars at night and reading books. If you are very friendly, you might be able to make an arrangement with locals to visit some special places by tractor.
Language
Russian, English.
Geography
Coordinates of the house: 58.700337, 43.439446. This is the middle part of Russia and the weather can change a lot. There are mosquitoes and other insects, so you should bring rubber shoes, and water and wind proof clothes.
How to get to your site
You should take a train from Moscow (or Saint Petersburg) to the station Nicolo Poloma (coordinates approximately 58.338557, 43.386508). From there I will pick you up by car.
Is there internet access?
Yes.
CONTACT DETAILS 🔍📧
Please note: This volunteer project listing may be outdated. Information regarding availability, dates, tasks, facilities and requirements might have changed. Contact the host directly to confirm the current conditions before making any travel plans.
For applications and questions, please contact the host directly:
WhatsApp / Telegram: +7 916 064 72 57
Hostname: Nadya
Email: mzesumzira AT yandex DOT ru
Please do not contact Voluntouring.org to book this experience. Always reach out to the host using the details above.
See more volunteering opportunities in Russia 🇷🇺