Single mom looking for help in southern Chile

Hi there, hoping this finds someone that is looking for an adventure!

Admin, if there are other forums where this should be posted, I would love it if you could please help me out there. I've disappeared from permies for about a year now and kinda forgot my way around. 😅

I'm a 30 y/o female living in an isolated location in southern Chile and looking for help on my homestead. I used to be fairly active here on permies, but my life has been pretty chaotic over the last year so I kind of went silent for a while. In April of 2022 construction was finished on my A-frame house here on my 5-hectare plot in the middle of the rainforest. I love my place and am determined to live this lifestyle (financially I have no other options, anyways) but I am getting overwhelmed with everything I need to do to make it work. I have lived without hot water for all this time, without heating for the majority of this time, I do not have an adequate septic setup, have no refrigeration, and need to build a woodshed to store my supply of firewood for the rainy winter that is coming soon. Emotionally I am in a difficult place, as this is my dream but I am tired of fighting an uphill battle all the time.

I would love to have someone come and stay for a couple of months to work on these projects with me. Not everything has to be permie-acceptable, I just need solutions for now. I would pay for all food and obviously any of the project expenses, but I can't offer much more than that financially. Someone would need to be willing to rough it a bit for a short time while we get things done, but hopefully we could get hot water and other things fixed right at first to make living a little easier.

I do have a job off the property that I need to devote time to, so hopefully someone wouldn't mind getting left alone on the property during the days that I have to be away. Again, it is an isolated area, but there are 2 neighbors nearby who would provide transport and help in case of emergency. I have electricity via a generator and there is cell service, albeit intermittent at times.

I am open to learning other languages, so fluency in my languages isn't absolutely necessary, although basic spanish or a willing to learn it is a must (so that you could move around here on your own). I speak fluent english and spanish and would be happy to tutor you in either. It also seems relevant that I love the culture here and am not tolerant of racism/negativity towards it.

Something else that I can offer in return for your hard work would be an exchange of knowledge. I have studied natural medicine for about 15 years, researched permaculture for about 5, and am also fairly knowledgeable in other elements of alternative living. I am close to the artesanal brewing industry here, so if you are interested I can hook you up with folks who could help you learn about making beer and hard cider. Ecotourism is big in this area, so you'd have plenty of chances for hiking, boating/kayaking, camping, and exploring and learning about nature in whatever way interests you.

I have 2 small children (ages 5 and 9) who are with me every other week. We are recently transitioning to gentle/connected parenting, so most days there's a lot of chaos, noise, and emotions swirling around! They are homeschooled at this point so the days when they are with me are pretty intensely kid-focused. I plan on doing as much of the work 50/50 as I can, but when the kids are around I prioritize their needs. These might be times when you would prefer to focus on your own interests, take nature hikes, or explore the surrounding region.

As I stated earlier I plan on paying for all of the food, but our diet is pretty varied. We are omnivores and eat a combination of what is nutritious, economical, and convenient. Anyone who has special dietary considerations would need to bring/buy what they need for themselves and cook separately if need be. I have a gas cooktop and an electric oven, plus a wood-burning stove and the option to cook outdoors over an open fire.

I guess it goes without saying that you would need to be able-bodied and fairly fit to work well for this job. It is a 700-meter uphill hike to get to the house, and I don't have a car so it's necessary to walk about 500 meters to get to the nearest bus stop. We cross a river by boat to arrive at the property, so hopefully that's not an issue for anyone! We are isolated but not remote, it is about 10 minutes to get from the house to civilization.

I am hoping for a single/unattached person, not for romantic purposes but mostly because of space concerns and lack of resources. I would prefer working with a woman, but I am open to talking with anyone to see if we'll be a good fit. I don't see a reason for an upper age limit so long as you're physically fit enough, but I do think it's important that you're at least 18 in order to avoid any complications traveling.

To be more precise, the projects I would like to complete are:
Connecting plumbing for hot water (mostly done already)
Building a woodshed
Small fencing projects
Prune fruit trees and fell dead/sick ones
Clear brush
Fell trees and chop/split firewood
Build a simple bedstead
General cleanup and organization, in the house and around the property
Interior and exterior painting of the house
Building small basic furniture (tables and shelves)

I think that with both of us motivated to get things done, a 2-month stay would be a reasonable amount of time to finish most of these things. I would reserve the right to terminate the arrangement before that time if personality conflicts become unworkable, or if other significant problems arose with the situation.

So I guess that's about it, I woke up this morning determinined to get things turned around here, so I really hope to find someone willing to help me out! Thanks for reading this far, please get in touch if this sounds like something that interests you!

What a great and clear request for help.
I am inAustralia and could help easily but I think a local would be easier, I hope you find that person good luck!

John C Daley wrote:What a great and clear request for help.
I am inAustralia and could help easily but I think a local would be easier, I hope you find that person good luck!

Thanks, John! I'll get back to you after a while if I don't get any takers 😜 no clue if there are direct flights from there to Chile either hehe

Are you aware there was a settlement of Australians in your country back in the 1800's looking for the ideal land. It fell apart with arguments though, I think.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Paraguayans

John C Daley wrote:Are you aware there was a settlement of Australians in your country back in the 1800's looking for the ideal land. It fell apart with arguments though, I think.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Paraguayans

I had no idea! Link doesn't work, but there is plenty of ideal land here, part of why I love it so much. Too bad it fell apart, would've been cool to have more aussies around instead of so many germans lol

Marie,
This sounds really attractive.
I have a sabbatical coming up at work, but not until October, and I need to be here in Mexico in November, so I really couldn't go to Chile until sometime after January 2024.
I studied in Chile in 1993 and I've wanted to go back ever since. I was based in Santiago, but travelled from Arica to Puerto Montt.

Melissa Ferrin wrote:Marie,
This sounds really attractive.
I have a sabbatical coming up at work, but not until October, and I need to be here in Mexico in November, so I really couldn't go to Chile until sometime after January 2024.
I studied in Chile in 1993 and I've wanted to go back ever since. I was based in Santiago, but travelled from Arica to Puerto Montt.

Hi Melissa!! Sorry for the delay in responding. Will send you a PM within the next day or so!

Hola, Your request communicates a situation both challenging & inviting.  Though we're an older couple with an 11-year old & now again far away, we did just complete a large family gathering + another long recon in Chile which for the fourth time got us down to Patagonia.  This time we focused on the Puelo region again & somehow I imagine we were not far from you.  Sorry we couldn't visit to help; might have at least gotten your plumbing, pruning, felling, & woodsplitting done.  

Hey ! Como estás jajajaja
I thought I was the only crazy gringo in chile.
I just had to write you to say your not alone...
I'm in Tierra del fuego....you are ? Near Puerto Montt o Chiloé talvez?
I have raised my daughter here for 9 years since she was 9 ...she speaks Spanish well ....me ? Not so well , as I work with vaqueros y ovajeros most of the day.
So I'm up to my neck also in my challenges here in Chile , every kind of challenge, especially the beurocratic type...
If I have any dead time or open time I will try and come , if even only for a short time, ive lived off grid most my life , so know most of  the basic things.
Well my hats off to you girl .... because I know what it's like, but from only one child and a man's perspective
A big saludos of respect to you
I just could not hold back from responding
Un abrazo fuerte

Hi! Not sure if you already know about this, but there is a website designed just for your situation! World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)ing is really popular. Essentially hosts who believe in sustainable farming practices offer room and board in exchange for labor. You might try out setting up a host account and I bet you'd get a bunch of requests! https://wwoof.net/
There is even a website set up just for Chile! https://wwoofchile.cl/

Hope this helps

Hi everyone, thanks sooo much for all the great replies. I have had a crazy week, and I am finally here to send PMs to everybody and just send out a general thank you. Even those of you who have taken the time to give suggestions or say hi, have given me an incredible boost of good energy. So thanks to everyone, homesteading can sometimes be a lonely journey and I am so glad I came back to the permies community because you guys always come through.

I’m not sure what it is, but I feel like since I posted this message things have taken a turn for the better for me. Yesterday I had friends from far away show up out of the blue to help out with various projects in the house--they just showed up, fixed a bunch of shit, then grilled out and left me a bunch of food and some tools. Earlier in the week somebody else gave me a payment on a debt they owe me, which will give me the money to install a wind energy system, something that will make my life drastically easier. Also won the bid on a translating job, which will give me more cash to work with on other projects and possibly an opening into other longterm work. So if this is manifesting, I guess I’ll be posting here more often!

I still have mountains of projects, so I’ll be writing PMs (right now!) to each of you who have offered to make the trip so that we can get to know each other better and coordinate details. I’m so excited, and again, very grateful for each message.

Patrik Schumann wrote:Hola, Your request communicates a situation both challenging & inviting.  Though we're an older couple with an 11-year old & now again far away, we did just complete a large family gathering + another long recon in Chile which for the fourth time got us down to Patagonia.  This time we focused on the Puelo region again & somehow I imagine we were not far from you.  Sorry we couldn't visit to help; might have at least gotten your plumbing, pruning, felling, & woodsplitting done.  

You weren’t far at all! I am in the los rios region. If you guys are ever closeby again, send me a PM and we’ll work out a visit!

Peter Fink wrote:Hi! Not sure if you already know about this, but there is a website designed just for your situation! World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)ing is really popular. Essentially hosts who believe in sustainable farming practices offer room and board in exchange for labor. You might try out setting up a host account and I bet you'd get a bunch of requests! https://wwoof.net/
There is even a website set up just for Chile! https://wwoofchile.cl/

Hope this helps

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Marie Abell wrote:

You weren’t far at all! I am in the los rios region. If you guys are ever closeby again, send me a PM and we’ll work out a visit!

Thanks!  We're coming to Chile during my wife's sabbatical/ son's worldschooling in a year.  My focus alongside our infrequent visits to her family around Santiago has been finding a foothold with a homestead in a community, somewhere between the southernmost acequia (dryland/ rainfed frontier) & southern Aysén (living ocean refugium).  All power to you!

Hola, ¿cómo estás?

How are things coming along for you? Have you found the help you need help still?

Fell free to reach out (unattached female btw)

John C Daley wrote:Are you aware there was a settlement of Australians in your country back in the 1800's looking for the ideal land. It fell apart with arguments though, I think.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Paraguayans

Not to mention Galt's Gulch.

OP's setting sounds very similar to my setting in the high jungle of northern Peru. Especially the part where she mentions the 700m hike uphill to get to the house. Bingo.

i, my name is Frank.
I have been considering relocating from USA to South America.
I am an adventurous Male age 53 and am apprehensive at times because every time i bring up the idea of moving to South America
the first thing someone usually says is oh you gotta be careful you'll be kidnapped! I like to think of myself as an optomist so when this happens i get turned off pretty quick and look for a way out of the conversation. I am separated from my wife and we havent spoke since she was hospitalized from a car accident 2yrs ago. She was supposed to receive a substantial amount of money and if so i hope it is something that could finally bring her some peace and happiness.
Anyways, i want to give you credit for being daring enough to dream and follow such a lifestyle. I am a disabled Veteran of the Iraq war but am still feeling young and am still very able to put in a hard days work. Kind of know a little about a lot. I have done plumbing, electrical, mechanical and construction work in the past although i am a master of none. I get a small pension from the military so i do have some income and wouldn't mind coming there and giving it a go, if nothing else might learn something and think it would be a fantastic opportunity to experience a new culture. I know only a few words of Spanish but have a real desire to learn. I just found your post and promise to give it some real consideration. Hope we can correspond again, and would like to hear more about how your home is progressing and any interesting adventures you may have. I could send my email but being new to this site do not even know if that is allowed. If nothing else or if you find someone before i could commit i wish you all the Luck.
Frankie
What the heck,
frankgood1127@gmail.com