Description of organisation

We are a small interreligious community (8 adults), that takes inspiration from the ideals and values of the Arche according to Lanza del Vasto, viz.:
– building relationships in the spirit of non-violence,
– searching for coherence between thoughts and actions,
– having respect for the otherness of the Other,
– cultivating collectivity,
– simplifying life,
– being dedicated to more justice and peace,
– cultivating freedom of opinion and freedom of expression

In addition, we are inspired by the Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, the Christian-ecumenical Taizé- community and teachers of other spiritual traditions. Our home is an old farm north of Hannover.
We endeavor to ensure careful interactions with each other and with nature, a simple way of life and a spiritual connection in everyday life. We pursue meaningful work on the farm and outside of the farm, and we share our earnings in the form of a solidarity-based economy. A joint daily routine creates the framework for our common life.

Our most important activities are:
– making a place and a structure available for common life
– doing meaningful work in the rhythm of the four seasons, the festivals, the personal needs as well as the needs of the community
– occupying, discovering and creating different work areas and testing oneself in exciting projects
– establishing a welcome culture in the admission process of guests and volunteers
– organising and conducting seminars
– providing space and infrastrucure (meals, guest rooms) for seminars and workshops
– maintaining appropriate animal welfare standards (for sheep, chickens and bees) and processing the sheep milk
– cultivating ecological vegetables, herbs and flowers, as well as maintaining fruit trees ecologically
– processing fruits and vegetables from the garden
– restoring/renovating/rebuilding of the old buildings according to ecological guidelines
– providing space fore silence and meditation

The reasons why our guests and volunteers come to us vary greatly, because at our place, a variety of needs can be met. Our guests and volunteers are people
– who would like to experience religious openness
– who would like to flee from the chaos of the world of consumption and the world of work, who would like to try a different art of working and who would like to become more familiar with new work areas
– who would like to become familiar with community life
– who are looking for retreat and recovery
– who find themselves in a phase of reorientation and refocusing in their lives
– who take an active part in a special seminar

We share our talents and our characters, our time, our joy and sorrow, our money. That entails a transformation process, as we were raised in a world where one only takes care of oneself, and at the most, for one's closest relatives.
We notice that this transformation is worthwhile: we experience personal inner growth, and we enjoy a bigger freedom with regard to external obligations. Beyond these perceptible benefits, there is a 'Miracle of Community' that is difficult to convey. Perhaps you can experience it a little, when youcome here.

Inclusion topics

This organisation is willing to involve volunteers who face situations which make their participation in activities more difficult, from the following categories for different types of project:

• Economic obstacles
• Geographical obstacles
• Social obstacles