Volunteering at Rongahuset

Rongahuset is a welcoming family home, guesthouse, café and pub in the small village of Evanger, near Voss in Western Norway. Volunteering here means taking part in everyday family life while helping with guest rooms, housework, meals, guests, gardening and practical tasks. In return, you will enjoy a warm, multilingual home, beautiful surroundings, and the chance to experience Norwegian village life from the inside.

This is not a commercial hostel or hotel, but a lived-in family home where flexibility, initiative and a positive attitude are appreciated.

About me and the household

I am a mother of seven children aged 14–38. Two or three of the youngest live at home, while the others visit regularly. I have worked for many years as a language teacher and am also active in local politics. I run Rongahuset, including the guesthouse and café/pub, and play in both the village brass band and the local amateur symphony orchestra.

Our large historic house has 2-3 guest rooms open throughout the year. The café and pub are open most weekends and more frequently during the summer season. Life here is busy, varied and often unpredictable in a very normal family-life sort of way. An extra pair of hands makes a real difference!

Help and time commitment

Volunteers are normally expected to help for an average of 4–5 hours per day, depending on the season and household needs. Typical tasks include:

• Preparing guest rooms
• Helping with breakfast and guests
• Housework, tidying and laundry
• Meal preparation
• Gardening and outdoor work
• Painting, decorating and practical projects
• Helping with everyday family routines

Whenever possible, I prefer to host more than one volunteer at a time, as this is usually more enjoyable for everyone.

If you have experience and enjoy walking dogs, our friendly dog is always happy to come along. He is part border collie and has plenty of energy.

Children and Family Life

One of my daughters has Down syndrome. She is mostly independent but should not be left alone for extended periods. Volunteers are not expected to act as professional carers. However, it is important to be friendly, responsible and willing to take part in family life, and you should be comfortable around children, teenagers and people with disabilities.

For the right person, there may be opportunities for separate paid part-time or full-time care work. This requires EU citizenship and a minimum stay of three months and can be discussed before or after arrival.

Accommodation

Volunteers stay in a shared room (normally 2–3 people) or a private room for couples.

You will have access to the whole house, including:

• Kitchen
• Living rooms
• Music room
• Dining room
• Bathrooms and showers
• Washing machine
• Wi-Fi

The bedrooms can be cool during winter, but the shared living areas are warm and comfortable.

Free parking is available, and there is an EV charging station nearby.

Cultural Exchange and Learning

Depending on your interests, you may have opportunities to:

• Experience Norwegian family and village life
• Learn about hospitality and guesthouse management
• Gain experience with childcare and disability support
• Join local cultural activities
• Play music
• Read books
• Learn Norwegian
• Garden, sew, hike or ski
• Meet travellers from around the world

The main language spoken in the house is English.

About Evanger

Evanger is a small village surrounded by mountains, rivers and fjords, just one hour by train from Bergen, and 20 minutes from the small town of Voss - which claims to be Norway's extreme sports capital!

Evanger was once an important local centre with shops, cafés, a bakery, a post office and a railway station. The historic wooden buildings give the village a distinctive character and offer a glimpse into rural Norwegian history. Nowadays, Evanger has a grocery store, a railway station, a church, a number of small businesses, a small beach, playgrounds and access to beautiful hiking trails.

The area offers excellent opportunities for hiking, skiing, kayaking, fishing and exploring Western Norway. Evanger railway station is only a few minutes' walk from the house.

Practical Information

• This is a volunteer exchange and does not qualify non-EU citizens for a visa or work permit.
• Reliability and honesty are essential.
• Please let me know as early as possible if your plans change.
• A minimum stay of two weeks is preferred.
• Longer stays are encouraged.
• We always begin with a mutual trial period to make sure the arrangement works well for everyone.

Getting here

The easiest route is via Bergen or Oslo.

• Bergen–Evanger: approximately 1 hour by train
• Oslo–Voss: approximately 5–6 hours by train, then a short local train ride to Evanger
• Long-distance buses from Lillehammer, Førde or Oslo-Stavanger

Useful websites:

• vy.no (trains)
• skyss.no (local and regional buses)
• entur.no (nationwide journey planner)
• nor-way.no or flixbus.no (long-distance buses)

Interested?

Please email: [email protected]

Include:

• Your available dates
• Preferred length of stay
• Relevant experience with hospitality, housework, gardening, maintenance, children or people with disabilities
• A short introduction about yourself

I usually recommend starting with a trial stay of 1–2 weeks, but longer stays are very welcome.