Apply Now

Check out the aliens in Roswell, New Mexico!

4.5
(11 reviews)11

The experience

I am an older woman, living on five mostly undeveloped acres just outside Roswell, N.M. (yes, THAT Roswell) who needs help, mostly outside. I have two llamas, three goats, a mini donkey, three ducks and two dozen or so chickens, along with four cats. I also have plants to water, gardens to plant, weed and harvest, and am trying to make my property self-sustainable. My water comes from a windmill-pumped well, and I've just had solar panels install

What you offer

3 hours of help per day

Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Animal Care: Help look after and take care of animals.

What you get

2 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Tent: You will sleep in a tent at a camping site.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Requirements

Fluent English

Between 18 and 80 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

Academy Course How to become an outstanding Worldpacker

United States Visa

Mandatory volunteer introduction video

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

I am recovering from both a broken leg and hip, so my basic need is someone who can care for the animals (about an hour a day) and help me with things like laundry (I've just started doing that, yeah!), cleaning and cooking. They are easy tasks, and you’re welcome to spend the rest of your day doing what you’d like.
Thanks to some marvelous Helpers in the past, the major (read: really hard) work is done, so now I need folks who can help maintain and develop. I lived overseas for four years and came back to a home that wasn't taken care of well by my caretaker, so I had a big cleanup on my return. But there is still reorganizing and getting everything back ship-shape. (If you're into completely going through my shed and helping plan a garage sale, I'm up for that!)
And if you ride/repair motorcycles (and have an MC license), I could use someone to ride/repair them.

Activities & Shift

My preference is for longer-term helpers (two or more weeks.) This is NOT structured (i.e. 9-5) help. The animals have a daily routine but it’s short and simple, and as the growing season progresses, there’s daily work in the yard and garden. But other than that, what you decide to do is up to you.
The chickens and ducks need to be let out first thing in the morning (they're free-range) which is done by the earliest riser after dawn. You'll also fill their food and water bowls. This takes maybe 15 minutes.
At sunset, the chickens/ducks need to be put in their coop and the goats, donkey and llamas fed. (It takes me a half-hour using my rollator.)
Once a week, the chicken coop needs to be cleaned, and the llama poop pile cleared. (I have a compost bin.) Time is open.
The housecleaning/cooking can also be done when you want unless I need something. (I'll supply most of the food.)

Rules

The only restrictions: I am 70 years old, so I’m going to try to be very, very careful re: infection. I need people who are vaccinated and boosted. No ifs, ands or buts.*
Also, no dogs, firearms, or drugs, and smokers MUST smoke outdoors only. (420 OK outdoors)
Please know this is a dusty desert environment: Clothes/shoes that can withstand cactus and other thorns are a must, and a willing attitude is required.