Vacancy expired!
We have an unusual opportunity for 2-3 individuals (inclined toward teaching) who would like to live in a safe, small community of 8 people while this pandemic runs its course. Some are calling this idea "creating a pandemic bubble." We're doing just that, in Kailua, Hawaii, walking distance to one of the nicest beaches on the planet.
We are currently three adults, and three children (ages 5-7), living as an extended family in a quiet pleasant semi-rural setting. We take the social distancing recommendations fairly seriously, receive supplies by delivery when possible, and minimize interactions outside our small community to keep each other safe.
We're not fanatical or extreme in our measures, but strive to be wise and forward thinking should the daily coronavirus cases continue their upward trajectory. It seems now is the perfect time to live a simpler life in a small, supportive communal atmosphere - in our case on a Hawaiian island.
We have been living in this manner (with 3-5 guests) for the last four years and see many benefits for ourselves, our children, and our guests. Some have called staying with us "a family internship" which is accurate as we have the awesome responsibility of raising three young children. Though many of our guests have been fully formed adults who have raised children of their own.
I would add that we consider living communally to be a conscious choice and a personal practice that the Buddhists would call sangha building - a practice found all the wisdom traditions.
We embrace routine, share most of our meals, and rotate cleaning and cooking duties. With 5 adults you'll lead cooking for two days every ten days or so and help with a weekly 1-2 hour clean. Outside of those basic shared responsibilities, we offer room and board for a part-time work exchange targeting about 25 hours a week. This exchange model has been made popular by the Workaway and Wwoofing organizations, through which many of our past guests found us.
Most people put their hours in and help in the following ways.
- Taking on extra cooking shifts from us overloaded parents.
- Help with academic homeschooling in the mornings (we use some good easy to follow curriculums).
- Facilitating and/or creating after school type programs (ideally around one's personal passions).
- Special projects such as garden work, building a yurt, office assistance, mother/father's helper, etc.
It really depends on what works best for each guest, and the interests and skills they bring. Our kids are entering kindergarten and 2nd grade so simply modeling healthy adult behavior is a gift to us all. For someone who wants to put in extra time, we're open to the idea of a stipend for additional hours exchanged, but we'd rather be your peer than your boss.
While we'll cover your food and shelter, you do need to be financially independent and able to make any money you need with online work of some sort.
We can imagine you to be an aspiring, accomplished, or retired teacher. Or you might be an education loving parent or grandparent who wishes to remain safe during the pandemic - yet in the company of others.
We have had some successful experience with community living that you can get a sense of here, https://ittakesacommunity.net/vision-2/. When living in Madrid, we operated a small school that drew from the Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia traditions.
We're not a religious group, but we do value mindfulness practices and over the years have spent a lot of time in Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village (www.plumvillage.org). For a further sense of us, a good example of an intentional community we admire, and somewhat hope to emulate, is the Sirius Community in Massachusetts. http://www.siriuscommunity.org/our-fourfold-purpose/
In Hawaii, we hope to replicate the environment we created on the mainland - an acre of land with a swimming pool, art/dance space, organic garden, and 8 hens.
As for what to teach? Aside from assisting with some core competencies (reading, writing, math), we are open to you sharing what you love. Most importantly, with the kids likely to be homeschooling at least part time, we look for individuals with a passion for learning, and desire to share that passion. We’ve had people teach Spanish, art, improv, dance, yoga, poetry, chess, calligraphy, basketball, piano, drumming, singing. The right person will be great with kids, and good with adults.
Roald Dahl noted that children deserve adults who sparkle. We’re looking for a twinkle in one’s eyes.
If you are interested in joining us, please tell us more about yourself, your skills and experiences, and why we might be a good fit for you. If you can, please share and show us some things you have done in the past.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Thank you!
