From wheels to hooves

Portfolio

From Two Wheels to Four Hooves

In Poland, I immersed myself in the healing art of onotherapy at Osiołkowo donkey farm

From two wheels to four hooves: a journey of grit and purpose

Anna met Peter just days after returning from a three-month solo bike trip. She had cycled from Poland to the North Cape, and back home, in a city pub, she organized a talk to share her experience. Peter, a passionate cyclist himself, heard about the event from friends. “Go,” they urged, “and bring the wedding rings.” He didn’t bring the rings, but they weren’t wrong—his story with Anna began that night. Soon after, they set off together on an 8,000-kilometer ride across Russia and the Balkans.

Somewhere along the way, the road pointed Anna toward something new. While studying Pedagogical Sciences, she had discovered onotherapy—donkey-assisted therapy for children with disabilities. It was the missing piece. A farm, not just a home, but a place where animals could heal.

But dreams need more than vision—they need skill and resources. First, they worked on donkey farms in France, learning everything they could. Then, in England and Switzerland, they worked to earn as much as possible. When they were ready, they brought their first donkeys from France, traveling over 1,000 kilometers on foot with three of them, while the rest arrived by trailer.

Now, they’re here. A newborn baby, a dog, four cats, eight donkeys… and occasional volunteers like me.

A Life Beyond Time

In the quiet hours of dawn, I wake to find myself already immersed in work—surrounded by lush greenery and a gentle symphony of sounds that some might call silence. Every day, my eyes feast on nature’s ever-changing canvas, and I learn something new in the subtle perfection of each gesture. My body may tire, but my mind finds the rest it craves.

I live in a place that isn’t entirely my own—on land I never bought, in a home untouched by the weight of bills. Here, work is tangible and purposeful, its benefits clear without the need for formal education, labels, or bureaucratic red tape. Time itself seems to lose meaning, so abundant that I can easily let it slip away.

Above all, I revel in the thrill of discovery—venturing into places unknown, peering into the lives of others just long enough to see if they might someday become part of me, or simply passing through with the lightness of a traveler unburdened by permanence.

Belonging Beyond Borders

Yesterday, almost without thinking, I called it “home.” It wasn’t a claim of ownership but a recognition—a feeling of belonging in places that mirror my own spirit, where no border exists between who I am and the space I inhabit.

Between Two Worlds

Giovanna, as she was known in Italy, spent several years in Naples working as a caretaker, while her son Łukasz took a different path in England as a waiter. For many Polish migrants, working abroad is often seen as a pragmatic choice—a way to earn more while remaining rooted in their homeland. Yet, these experiences are frequently recalled with warmth and nostalgia.

We once joined them in the fields to pick potatoes, and in return, they welcomed us with a hearty dinner. Giovanna’s face lit up as she brushed up on her Italian—a moment of rediscovery that connected her to home, despite the miles and memories in between.

Maku’s Journey from concrete to canopy

Maku once built sustainable structures for a green building company. As his role shifted from hands-on work to managing from behind a desk, that passion faded. Today, he lives with his son in a van deep in the woods, where he’s carved out a modern off-grid retreat—a simple hippie haven complete with a sauna and communal post-sauna moments.