My Nonprofit Reviews

Visiting Gentle World is not just a work-trade and education opportunity to learn more about veganism and sustainability. It is a one-of-a-kind transformational experience into a higher life of peace, harmlessness, spirituality, and compassion for all.

I stumbled upon Gentle World on a work-trade website. The word “Vegan” immediately jumped out at me. How could anything be more perfect? Going to Hawai’i, a place I had dreamed about for years, and surrounding myself with individuals who shared the vegan values I hold in my heart.

When I arrived at Gentle World, it was both nothing and everything that I expected. Almost immediately, I was accepted with open arms into this little vegan family, and it very easily began to feel like home.

That’s what makes Gentle World different from other work-trade experiences. The best educational experiences arise in safe, friendly environments such as this one. Each member of Gentle World exhibits a genuine interest, love, and care for you and your personal journey into veganism and spirituality. I now feel so in touch with my veganism and higher self. The volunteers of Gentle World speak in an open and thoughtful way, and these many conversations have led to a change in perspective for me.

I came to Gentle World in search of what I wanted out of this lifetime. For so long, I have felt like I was literally stumbling through every year, crippled and crushed by the inevitable fear and anxiety that accompanies human existence. At Gentle World, I learned how to live slowly, taking each day one second at a time. Although there are many things I am still quite uncertain about, I am not so frightened of my future anymore, and I know that I am here to leave this world better than I found it.

I've learned that I can't change every aspect of the world outside, but I can change and nurture the world inside me. I am more driven, focused, and calm. Gentle World has helped me build a foundation of acceptance, maturity, and peace that I will continue to build my life upon.

I’ve learned so much about veganic gardening, sustainability, and plant-based cooking here. Every day, there is always work to do, but it becomes fulfilling as you see how your contribution lifts up and betters the household. Focused work like weeding the garden or mopping the floors clears the mind and helps along your journey. There are always times of leisure throughout the week to enjoy the warm sunshine, walk to town for a coffee, or read a book out on the deck. Not to mention the sweet and playful dogs, Freedom and Fawn, who keep you company throughout the day.

Every day concludes with a delicious and beautiful home-cooked vegan meal, proving that the best way to the heart is truly through the stomach. Through amazing food, Gentle World shows that a vegan life is not one of deprivation, but one of abundance.

Gentle World has shown me how to live in abundance. An abundance of love, an abundance of compassion, an abundance of peace, and yes… an abundance of good vegan food.

I am forever changed.

I stayed at Gentle World for over three months, but even as I begin another chapter of my life far away from The Big Island, I will forever carry my experiences here so close to my heart and soul that it will be as if I haven’t truly left.