In Spain, there are many foreigners who arrive dreaming with a better future, but, not everyone gets a job that is well paid. This is the case of Jason, a young Colombian visual designer who has chosen to work as a volunteer gardener in exchange for food and accommodation, without receiving a euro. A legal alternative, but not exempt from sacrifices, loneliness and controversy, in many cases, lack of recognition.
Jason counts on the Elandrevlog channel how the city changed for a lost house between orchards and cabins in Alicante. “At first I was desperate, I didn’t find work and the money ended,” he says. His day to day began selling water bottles to tourists to survive, but soon realized that he needed something more stable.
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Work as a gardener and volunteer
Everything changed when a friend recommended a volunteer platform (‘Helpers’). For 20 euros of subscription, Jason began to contact hosts throughout Spain. Finally, a German woman offered to live and work on a rural farm, taking care of gardening, cleaning and reception of guests.
“The working day depends on each site, but here they are usually four to five hours a day,” explains Jason. Their tasks are varied: from cleaning cabins and washing bedding, to weed weeds in the garden, feed animals or keep automatic irrigation. All this, without receiving salary.
“I don’t charge here, but I have a roof, food and the tranquility of the countryside. I finish work in the morning and the rest of the day I dedicate it to my projects as a freelance designer,” he says. The Internet connection allows you to accept orders and look for some extra money, but acknowledges that most of the time dedicates it to the tasks of the farm.
Although Jason’s day to day is not paid, he has managed to earn money thanks to his talent as an artist. “Here I also dedicate myself to make murals and sell my paintings. In Callosa, a barbershop paid me 400 euros to paint a mural of four square meters. For each meter soil charged 100 euros,” he explains.
This type of orders, together with the sale of custom t -shirts and clothes, allows you to obtain extra income and survive in the toughest months. “These works do not always come out, but when they leave, they are a break. In volunteering, you only have a roof and food, so any income is welcome,” he acknowledges.
“Without salary, but without expenses … and much loneliness”
Living and working in a rural area has its pros and cons. Jason insists that, at the economic level, volunteering only compensates if you have few expenses and adaptation capacity. “If I were in the city, I would have to pay rent, transport and food. Here, at least, savings and not spending on almost anything,” he admits.
Of course, rural life is demanding. The closest town has only 400 inhabitants and supermarkets open little. “Going to buy is the only boring. The rest is tranquility and enjoy the landscape,” he says.
The voluntary work is temporary. “Normally they ask you for a minimum commitment, like a month. I was going to stay only 30 days, but I ended up gaining the confidence of the owner and, as of June, I will become a salary worker,” he says. Until then, Jason remains thanks to the work exchange for maintenance.
“Not for everyone, but there are opportunities”
The reality is that rural volunteering is not for anyone. Jason acknowledges that many see it as an exploitation: “They usually say that they are exploiting you, but for those who are looking for an opportunity, it is a way of starting.” They only recommend this way to people alone, without loads and with an open mentality.
The future, according to Jason, depends on the attitude and knowing how to adapt. “Here nobody is going to give you anything. You have to offer what you know how to do and not close to the opportunities, even if it is not the dream work. If you expect a salary, forget it. But if you are looking for tranquility, roof and food while you find something better, it can be worth it.”
After months of volunteering, Jason will have a contract and salary, although he has not yet specified the amount. What is clear is that his life has changed. “I do not regret it. It is not easy, but I have learned to look for alternatives when the work does not arrive. Here, at least, I have the basics covered and time to continue with my career as a designer,” he concludes.
In short, working in the Spanish field as a volunteer can be an escape, but it is not the easy or fast path to earn money. It is, above all, a survival lesson, patience and, in many cases, of loneliness. But also, an open door to new opportunities for those who know how to take advantage of them.