Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
1 Apr 2025
Feedback
13
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
You will have your own bedroom accommodation in return for 3 hours of help a day during week days (house repairs, gardening, organization). Or, to be decided, 5 hours a day (during week days) with lunch and dinner included on those days. Help with food and cleaning is needed also. The area is excellent for tourism if you have a car to explore. If not hitchhiking is easy and safe. During the weekend I can also show you around. Couples are very welcome.
Usually I host for periods that are between 1 week to 2 weeks, I can´t do longer periods of workway because of my personal working commitments.
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Hello my name is Catarina and I am a natural builder and architect. Three years ago I bought an old property near São Luis - Alentejo, which I have been renovating. Bringing life back to the building (which used to be a house, a shop and a bakery and then sat empty for 25 years), and start using it as a place where friends, colleagues and those interested in natural building and architecture can come to work, learn and stay.
It has taken a lot of work to get the building to the habitable and beautiful stage it is growing in to now, but there is still things to be done to improve finishes and decoration. The house sits on 1 hectare of land which I also hope to regenerate by planting trees, improving soil and doing an edible garden.
Examples of work include:
- Using traditional Alentejo lime wash helping painting walls
- Interior finishes with lime and clay plastering
- DIY carpentry to repair doors, assemble shelves, decorations, etc.
- General gardening tasks - clearing and mulching land, landscaping, digging, planting trees and veg, pruning plants etc.
- Cooking
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There is a lively community in the area which you will have the opportunity to get involved with. There are many permaculture projects in the area and often dancing/music events going on, with weekly yoga classes, pizza nights and ultimate frisbee local team too, as well as the monthly market in Sao Luis. Over dinner we are often chatting about healthy and sustainable living, natural building, architecture, culture, dancing. Some meals will be authentic portuguese cooking and you can learn about it.
I like to tap into cultural events, when they occur and you will be welcome to join.
Help
I am looking for handy people with an interest in sustainability and natural building who are able to help with small renovations in the house and with planting/landscaping in the garden.
Attached to the main house is another building which is still in ruin but makes a great space for outdoor cooking, for pizza and dance nights, so decorating and mantaining this space can also be a task for the summer.
As we’ll be living together and sharing meals, help with cooking and cleaning up is appreciated.
So, if you have any relevant skills that could be helpful on the project, get in touch!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Accommodation
Your own bedroom in the house - the room is basic but has a comfy double bed and plenty of space.
Wash up shared and general cleaning up the space together to maintain it.
What else ...
The house is in a great location, nearby to the many beautiful beaches of Alentejo coast and Natural Park (20min drive) and 10 minutes drive to the town of São Luis.
The village is very small, with one local cafe. There are plenty of great restaurants, cafes and bars in the surrounding towns of São Luis, Vila nova Milfontes and Odemira. Here you can walk the coast path, surf, swim, socialise. There is a bus stop in the village but public transport is limited. I have transport and can help at your arrival, there ir a bus service from Lisbon or from Faro. I am happy to give you a lift if you wish to join me on trips to these places, but having your own car/van will give you a bit more freedom to explore. Also I might not be at the house all the time of your staying.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We intend to upgrade our internet speed in the future (so ask me about the state). The space is suitable for co-working because myself and other colleagues will be working from the house on architecture projects.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (5)
she matched me up with another workawayer so we always had someone to talk to. the work was fun and well managed. there was delicious food and a full fridge and a whole range of places and things we got to explore with her.
the house is stunning and wonderful (a bit cold in the winter), exquisitely designed and… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
she matched me up with another workawayer so we always had someone to talk to. the work was fun and well managed. there was delicious food and a full fridge and a whole range of places and things we got to explore with her.
the house is stunning and wonderful (a bit cold in the winter), exquisitely designed and… read more
A beautiful renovated farm house; clean, modern and with plenty of space to share.
Catarina has a big heart and open to all, with a great understanding of how different characters skill sets can provide. Daily work varied to suit the day and the mood, from learning… read more
Mathis is traveling to improve English skills to become a English teacher and to learn about new cultures, this experiences will enrich his curriculum making him happy to gain experience and participate in all proposed activities.
For the tasks at the house, he was learning and willing to help, making him a good helper.… read more
Felt good to participate in this exchange as it was the first time Harry was traveling abroad on his own and he really did great for his first time experience! Super friendly and up to help out in everything that was needed.
He teached us some American English expressions that we really enjoyed, he has great sense of… read more
I helped with painting the ceiling, watering the plants and trees outside, weeding, painting door frames, extending the terrace with foil & fabric on the ground and gravel, planting trees, organizing tools & stuff on her… read more
As you will see, she did with the help of friends and family an AMAZING job at her house. She transformed it into a really pretty… read more
