Profile information
Description
Helloo! Nice to meet you, my name is Maria.
I am an easy-going, practical, inventive person.
For volunteering - I enjoy being busy and useful, work well with others as well as alone, keen to learn new things. You can rely on me to do a good job I hope. I feel at home in nature (I was a girl scout since 5 years old, hehe) and seek out opportunities to work in line with principles of permaculture. I had amazing volunteer experiences via different programmes (Workaway, WWOOF, Work & Travel, local projects etc.), learned tons about nature and life, and made lifelong friends. Some of my work background is outlined in the skills section. I love exploring different lifestyles people have created for themselves by joining them - this is probably what I value most about volunteering. Secondly, I am deeply passionate about learning to live sustainably - growing/harvesting/processing produce, animal care, building, energy conservation etc. I am not afraid of discomfort and hard work.
Born in Slovakia, then lived 9 years in North East England after finishing my degree in Fine Art. I experiment with various media (drawing, painting, writing, performance, photography, installation, collage and more) and specialise in traditional printmaking. You can have a look at my art :) https://mariavanikova.wixsite.com/portfolio
I travelled a bit, mainly around Europe, getting to know different cultures and taking part in interesting projects - often with emphasis on permaculture and sustainable living. Currently I live as a digital nomad.
Meditation and all that can be accessed through those inner landscapes takes up a large space in my life. I enjoy long interesting conversations, camping, exploring new places (especially with a travel buddy!) Love singing, though usually just for myself. I like playing with animals and seeing plants grow.
My other passion is health, particularly nutrition. For years I experimented with various ways of eating (fasting, vegan, vegetation, keto, low carb, etc.) and along the way learned a fair amount of recipes which I am happy to share. I like exercising (especially running and yoga) and absolutely love to dance.
I enjoy both company of others as well as my own. Noisy, crowded places are not good for me (unless it's live music to dance to!) and after spending time with people I usually like some solitude to spend time with myself.
I want to be a part of this world. There is so much to live in every moment. My dream is to own a printmaking studio in a homestead deep in Slovak mountains. I would like to write book one day.
Thank you for your time looking at my profile! Have a lovely day.
What makes my heart skip a beat
summer storms-dad jokes-One Hundred Years of Solitude-healing through body movement-Aquarius&Leo axis-evergreen trees-Psychedellic Breaks & Nuggets mixtape by Dexter-experimenting with new foods-scrabble (I am good at it but not the English version annoyingly!!)-sleeping outside by a campfire-Slovak folk-otherworldly experiences-writing and drawing in my sketchbook while waiting for a flight-my sketchbook-Ricky Martin-early morning train rides-Father Ted-doing yoga alone in my flat-Led Zeppelin-coconut water with frozen blueberries-feeling proud-Alice in Chains-skincare-Beck/FatboiSlim/BeastieBoys-meditating and energy shifts-rich natural fabrics-playing guitar and singing folk songs-exercising-INTP-mountains-some fairytales-my music collection-foraging herbs when walking around and using them in recipes-Lords of Acid-listening to podcasts (sometimes)-Fleabag-printmaking and especially etching-armageddon crush on Villanelle-patchouli shampoo bar-Gaslight movie (1940)-my friends-Amelie as the last song I remember how to play on a piano-Air (the French band)-Naïve. Super book-cathedrals-Monty Python-salsa and bellydance-Kung Fu Panda and Legend of Mulan-candles made of honeycomb-Scissor Sisters-my late beloved pet rat Rasputin-rosa canina smell-spending time with people and goodness and the feeling of fresh
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Videography
Writing
Sustainability
Self development
Politics / Social justice
Nature
Outdoor activities
Performing arts
Pets
Photography
Plant care
Music
Mountain
Languages
LGBTQ
Fashion or beauty
Fitness
Gardening
Hiking
Drawing & painting
Dancing
DIY & crafts
Culture
Blogging
Camping
Charity work
Cooking & food
Art & design
Animals
Languages spoken
Czech: Fluent
English: Fluent
Slovak: Fluent
German: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Eco Projects
Charity Work
Teaching
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Being an elderly companion
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Languages
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Art Projects
More details about your skills
Farm work, gardening, pet sitting, house sitting, cooking, cleaning, projects around the house, decorating, art, admin, language exchange, babysitting.
I am a fast learner and use common sense. I do not shy away from hard work and getting my hands dirty! Always open to have a conversation and take advice.
Experience
Farm worker - 4 months volunteering on an organic herb farm (Portugal) and 2 weeks animal farm (Sweden)
Admin - 5 years' work experience as a secretary, complex diary management, coordinating papers, managing inner operations (UK)
House renovation - building self-sustainable houses using eco-friendly materials (Portugal)
and various DYI house projects (Slovakia) and working projects for an old settlement (France)
English teacher volunteer - teaching English to refugees and asylum seekers (UK)
Youth leader - developed 6 month art project with kids at local community centre (UK)
Assisted living facility helper - retirement home volunteer helping elderly people with daily activities (Slovakia)
Activity leader - 4 month Work & Travel placement in recreation department in a large hotel (USA)
Receptionist/Waitress/Cleaner/Cafe - various jobs (Slovakia and UK)
Art projects - studying art, making art, exhibiting, working in galleries, graphic design, curatorial (Slovakia, UK, Spain)
Art teacher - art lessons volunteering for people with disabilities (UK)
Babysitting - family, friends and friends of friends' kids ranging from 1-12yo (Slovakia)
Pet/house sitting - looking after 6 dogs and a house in a remote location (Greece)
Mountain volunteer (High Tatras) - mainly picking up litter after tourists left for the day, minor repairs (Slovakia)
Age
31
What else ...
Ask me for an ad-hoc drawing :D
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
noSpecial dietary requirements
no
