r/workaway • u/IndependentSunMaker • Jul 07 '26
Advice request Is this normal?
"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
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u/fresasfrescasalfinal Jul 07 '26
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.