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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
2 May 2024
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100.0 %
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Details
Description
Hi, we’re Lucy and Millo. We live here with our two kids (Leo, 2 and Aria, little baby!)
Paul joined us in 2020 and now lives here. He’s helped to regenerate the soil and now runs his own market garden on the land. Gardening is what gets him up in the morning and he dreams of it when he goes to sleep at night!
We live a basic life here with lots of dreams. We hope to one day have other people and families living on the land; working and collaborating together. It’s 11 hectares so there’s lots to be done and so much potential!
Our vision is to regenerate this once abandoned rural farm into a holistic sanctuary / nature conservation area. We’re inviting protectors, guardians and ecosystem restoration campers wanting to help build our Off-grid Homestead / Permaculture Farm.
The land is located in the heart region of Portugal. The Serra da Estrela area. Our dream is for this land to become an Ecosystem Restoration Camp & Regenerative Agriculture Collective with creative space as a hub.
Easy going, kind and straightforward people are invited to volunteer and participate. Empathy and kindness are essential.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have a strong connection with a growing community of permaculture projects around here and there are also all kinds of meetings that take place regularly in the area (like women’s circles, kids groups for example) and social events in summer, so if you’re interested in meeting more people doing the same thing we do that could lead onto another WorkAway exchange for you then we could be a bridge to that.
Help
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CALLING ALL BUILDERS, GARDENERS AND CHILDCARE HELP!
Building:
We’ve started building our outdoor kitchen but there’s still a lot of work to be done! We’re open to ideas on how to finish the project and dream of this one day being the communal hub!
Gardening:
Paul is always in the garden and if you want to learn or contribute to building and maintaining a market garden then he’s your man!
Childcare:
If you enjoy childcare then you’ll love to come and hang out with Leo. He loves playing outside and having fun! Aria currently likes to be close to her mama but enjoys the odd cuddle from other people!
Other things that we may need help with:
Kitchen Maestro:
Do you love to cook? It’s always a great benefit for us to have someone that can help take care of preparing healthy lunch and dinner meals for us and the crew here. We generally cook vegetarian and vegan.
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We're looking for easy going people with a good sense of awareness regarding personal boundaries and full circle living. There is no fixed schedule here, and once we've agreed on your assigned tasks/projects then you can work to a schedule that suits you. We ask for 4-5 hours a day in exchange for food and accommodation or 2-3 hours a day in exchange for accommodation/camping only and if they would like to join in meals then we would ask for a weekly contribution towards food expenses.
We believe in fair exchange, so when it comes to communication we expect a fair and equal exchange based on honest sharing and empathy. If you like to talk or preach a lot then this might not be the place to find an audience.
Please get in touch for more info or if you have any questions.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate
Portuguese: Intermediate
Accommodation
Accommodation For Yourself:
You will need your own accommodation, preferably a camper or a caravan, or if you are happy with a tent then there are plenty of shady spots for camping around here.
Communal Space:
Our house is a communal space where you can cook, and hang out. We like to have one communal meal together (usually lunch) and everyone does their own thing for the other meals.
Shower:
We’ve recently finished building our outdoor bathroom and though the shower is not yet functional, we are currently able to have warm bucket showers in the shower space until we get the water all hooked up (things are more complicated off grid!).
Toilet:
We have an amazing dual vault compost toilet here and you can enjoy a poo with a wonderful view.
What else ...
We have a couple of working bikes that you can use to go out and explore the area. There are also plenty of cafes in the surrounding villages where you could hang out, have a coffee, play cards and learn the Portuguese ways with the locals.
If you prefer peaceful and quiet activities then there are plenty of places around here to meditate, read a book or just relax. If you are interested in yoga then you can find a quiet space where you can practice yoga.
In summer we often have regular community events so you will be welcome to join in on those events when they happen. Millo also likes to do some reggae nights, either at a venue, or on the farm, just to keep himself sane.
A note on some things you could consider bringing with you:
- torch
- sleeping bag
- wet weather gear / waterproof jacket
- work boots
- work clothes that you don't mind getting muddy or stained
- warm clothes for evenings and for sleeping in when it gets cold
- hat for sunny weather
- towel - a small quick drying one is good
Please do not bring any toiletries/soaps that contain harmful chemicals or are not biodegradable.
We have work gloves you can borrow if needed, and wellies can be bought cheaply or we may have some your size.
We can appreciate that people may want to enjoy a drink from time to time but this is not the place for heavy drinkers.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Only if you have your own place to work from (van, caravan etc) and internet dongle. Otherwise, in the village which is 20 minute walk away there is an Inatel Hotel (4 star) that has quite spaces like a TV room, billiard room and library where they will usually allow people to sit down, have a coffee and get online ... I've used it as my office for a time and they were quite nice about it.
Space for parking camper vans
If you have your own campervan or motorhome then this would be the ideal as accommodation here (especially in winter) is limited.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
3 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (5)
I am so thankful for the time I had there. I had the chance and the space to create and finish a project on my own because of the great liberty that is offered here.
I've been here for almost 3 months, we had so great times and good fun, sometimes not so cool but that's life. it was sometime… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
I am so thankful for the time I had there. I had the chance and the space to create and finish a project on my own because of the great liberty that is offered here.
I've been here for almost 3 months, we had so great times and good fun, sometimes not so cool but that's life. it was sometime… read more
