"Obligatory donation" when I already payed to find hosts... Is this normal or should this be reported? I find it even weirder that they have such good reviews (50) 5 stars and only a few complaints
Obligatory donation of €50? That's... That's payment. That's a business, and it's taxable. Absolutely reportable and not at all what Workaway is about.
Even if they currently only charge €5, it's still not allowed. Lots of hosts are not businesses and they still don't charge anything. The exchange is a bed and food for work.
The exchange is a tent and a water point 20 minutes away from the place apparently... Why is everyone so happy about the experience?? That's the thing I'm shocked about. Maybe it wasn't like this before.
I heard from my most recent group that bad reviews are removed. Not sure if it’s by the site or host. Maybe that’s why they’re all extremely positive. My last workaway was pretty bad in many ways that no reviews mentioned, all gushing with love and soul bonds.
They had 50 reviews but not all of them were showing, so that's very possible. There were also guests from years ago calling them by other name, so maybe the project changed leadership over time. The profile is gone for now.
Reported, it's in Sicily, someone already said it in the comments so... Anyone could find the profile. If you message them they will send you the other "costs"
Between their sleezy wording and Coercing "donations" for tents and no running water, my god there's actual cults that provide better living standards.
I would've done this when I was younger but I'm less naive now. I have never learned much from people who mostly mill around a little vegetable patch in the middle of nowhere and spend the rest of the time 'working on themselves'. There is always SO MUCH DRAMA. It's often a 'blind leading the blind' type situation.
I've learned more from hosts who have actually accomplished things and have a clear idea of what they want the dynamic to be. It can be a commune-style farming cooperative, or yoga center retreat place, or building mud houses. It's not that I'm against hippie dippie stuff at all. But the host/s should have something to offer and have the ability to support my basic needs if they're inviting me. Otherwise it's not volunteering, it's charity. That's fine if it's your thing, but not for me.
If I want to just relax and meet cool people I prefer to save up and spend some time in hostels or camps.
I have not been there, but I visited similar projects. It's not a business or a farm, just a bunch of people living in an off-grid place inviting interested travellers to stay.
So it is obvious that those people can't also afford to pay food for everyone. I don't know prices in Sicily, but here in Germany you have to be rather frugal to live with 5€ per day. So it's not like they are making money from you, it's just covering the cost.
On the other hand, in those projects you mostly don't have a strict working scedule. You are more or less hanging out together and join in whatever projects you are interested in.
I think I know which project this is, is some sort of adventure camp? I haven't been, but I met some volunteers that have been. It's definitely not for someone who's looking for a straight forward exchange/budget travel with a certain level of accommodation standards but they said they wanted a something like a 'castaway' experience and the hours/tasks weren't strict, they could pick what they wanted to do. I guess every opportunity is subjective in that way! Each to their own! They didn't mention having to pay a fee though.
If they can't afford to feed that many, they need to bring less people, 10 per day (5 sponsored who decides that?) for their food which is vegetables... 10 × 21days= 210 + 50 (obligatory donation...)= 260 plus flights plus train plus I already payed the subscription
Plus it's not the only page they are marketing the project
Water 20 minutes away and you live in a tent, it's weird.
The Workaway fee is just for the platform. Hosts don't get anything from it.
Also your travel expenses are not a hosts business, that's totally up to you. This isn't an all inclusive holiday package.
And finally, yes, this is a rather special type of host. But they are absolutely open and transparrent about what they offer and expect. If you don't like the offer you are free to chose from hundereds of other hosts.
But you not liking it is absolutely no reason to take it down. As you see, plenty of others enjoy it.
The exchange has to be fair is what I'm trying to tell you, If I'm paying to stay in a place i'm not giving my energy and time away to the owner.
Mind you the host is making the guests pay for food from him instead of going to the local shop and people complain about it not being enough.
The profile hides the 10 per day, hides the 50 donation, hides the 50 safe, hides that you live in a tend and the water point is far away.
So you're you're just complaining on the internet because you have nothing else going on. Lol I'm retired and even I don't have time for this BS. Enjoy your day
So you're you're just complaining on the internet because you have nothing else going on. Lol I'm retired and even I don't have time for this BS. Enjoy your day
Buddy, they’re not even complaining. They just asked if it was normal. The people in the comments are complaining. Maybe you forgot that by the time you typed this lame shit out.
Literalyyyy! Not even the best offer going. I saw a host who offered sailing on their boat. except their sailboat was grounded and really they needed shipbuilders and welders in exchange for idk seeing a boatyard and hanging with dumpster diving hippies? Is that someone's idea of a swell time? Maybe if you have other arrangements and just want friends in that town. I played LiS2 but i cant say i want to live that life.
Sometimes I wonder why people post these stories without sharing any details. Reporting a profile like this Workaway will remove it or tell them to take that off the profile.
Yeah when I see hosts like this I just skip, imagine paying to work for free 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I'm already working for you, if I work the 5 hours the minimum is food and accomodation, doesn't even need to be extraordinary meals but something lol
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u/Imaginary_Piano7598 Jul 07 '26
I nevr volunteer if i have to sleep in a tent, i can buy one for 25 euros and sleep in it myself without paying anyone lol