Our First HelpX Experience

Our story begins when I discovered a simple website named HelpX.net.

"HelpX is an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.

HelpX is provided primarily as a cultural exchange for working holiday makers who would like the opportunity during their travels abroad, to stay with local people and gain practical experience. In the typical arrangement, the helper works an average of 4 hours per day and receives free accommodation and meals for their efforts."

Awesome All Around HelpXer Maddie

I never thought that I'd see the day when we'd get a visitor from another country to our humble farm-resort in a little nowhere town in the Philippines. More than that, our guest even helped us with a ton of things including our bakery. She even taught us how to make genuine New York bagels! 

Maddie has just been aaaaamazing and if all HelpXers are like her, I'm pretty sure that the next HelpXer would just be as awesome.  

At first we were very shy. 

The farm-resort has seen some better days and needed a lot of work on a loooooooooooooot of things. But she's been very understanding and helpful. With her help we were able to clean up the greenhouse, give the dogs a much needed bath, bake some goodies and she even cleaned her room (She insisted - I promise! My mom's room actually - it's even cleaner now mom!) 

Words cannot express how very grateful we are for her stay here in Virginia's Garden.

It's been barely a few hours since she went on her way to her next HelpX destination and we already miss her.