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100 %
Last replied
3 Nov 2025
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Description
Olá, my name is Ray, Tutuco's dad, backpacker, and journalist, 39. I like to sing sometimes, even though my voice isn’t that beautiful. But singing makes the world around me feel lighter, maybe that’s why I live here, in the quiet mountains, where every sound echoes like a small prayer.
Once upon a time, there was someone called Aru, who used to live in a big city. She woke up one morning feeling sad, with a heart as heavy as the fog in the mountains. So Aru walked far away from the city and began to sing, softly at first, then louder, until the trees started to listen. And as the song spread through the hills, the sadness slowly faded away.
Aru is me. Aru is you. Repeat with me: "Who sings scares away bad things."
That’s a popular saying from Brazil, now your first lesson in Portuguese: “Quem canta seus males espanta.” 😃 Okay. You can learn simple words first, like: Pão-de-queijo, brigadeiro and feijoada - all tasty food.
Here, we are building a small handmade cottage using earth, bamboo, and love. Each wall carries a story; each helping hand shapes more than clay, it shapes a dream. My family, friends, and you are part of this dream. This project is about simplicity, connection, and silence.
And you can sing as much as you want here… well, there’s a lot of empty space to sing alone… 😄
Far from the noise of big cities and even beyond the quiet of small towns, up here in the mountains between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, every note floats freely, and calmness is everywhere.
Our trails and waterfalls can help you to create your own music. 🎶
.
.HEY. YOU DON'T NEED TO READ FROM HERE.
This text is just philosophical thoughts from the social column, tabloids, my friend:
DEAR NEW FRIEND from another continent, or from the American continent... I know that you can follow my thoughts with words. I can see you are very special, because only a special person reads books, even this one on your screen. Sorry about my English here. I write much better in Portuguese, I can guarantee.
An advice: open a new tab on your computer, or smartphone, and write on Google Maps "Delfim Moreira, Minas Gerais". Then you zoom in, zoom out. After that you will see very much green in a long range of area, this is Mantiqueira Mountains, where you can find forests, pine trees (araucárias), perfect waterfalls and my little land.
Some of the highest peaks in Brazil are here, like the very beautiful Pico dos Marins, by the way it is 20 km from the town. If you are okay with long trails, you will enjoy very much the 8 hours walking/climbing the rocky mountains. I love it. And there are many lighter trails, don't worry.
Well, I forgot that I am in a profile for volunteering, not a new paper...well... The great thing about writing in a diary is that we know nobody will read it. In fact, only very enlightened minds will make it to the end of this account.
I'm just a 'jornalista'... Yeap... I need to sell this paper here... Okay. Let's get back to our story:
You already know where Delfim Moreira is, right? It is in the very south of the state of Minas Gerais, and right close to São Paulo state. And, again, kinda close to Rio de Janeiro. Well, many volunteers came from there, and I fully understand the beautiful idea that's to know Rio well. It is an amazing city. Actually this is the official slogan of the city, in music, public letters, and love letters. "A cidade maravilhosa"
But, after a shower of party and beaches, you probably will need some peace and fresh air. So, Delfim Moreira is the place, believe me. And helping to build a little house with your hands can be a new little dream for you.
I already hosted 55 people from 18 countries, 50 people 6 years ago, in another eco house, and now 5 volunteers in this new starting house. My friend, I also worked as a volunteer. Not in Brazil, in South Korea. A place in the southern countryside, close to the Jirisan National Park. By the way, I was hiking for 5 days on ice up to the highest mountain in this country. I spent two weeks there, working on a bonsai farm, cutting and fertilizing mini trees. Was nice, very very nice. I learned some Korean, and ate in grandmas' houses, singing winter Christmas songs in the church with the whole family and friends of the host, Mr. Kimpap. In the church I understood only a bit of Latin prayer, funny... and a lot more things in only two weeks. Can you imagine how nice it can be spending more time? I can, but I was only on vacation. China was waiting me...
Long story, I know. But... You read the title of this column, it's not just my fault you're reading this far, and there's more! (What a boring guy I am, huh.)
The story is over. Then I came back to Brazil, and started to host people like you. Now I am like Mr. Kimbap, the kind Korean farmer 60+.
So, my friend... I like to create and learn with new cultures.
Dear reader, you know, I need to be a good journalist, and tell you the very basic story (history) about why you should just decide to send me a request. Just because you are a practical, adventurous, open-minded person and you are tired of these projects with no surprises, right?
So just ask if I have a tent for you available, and come to Itajubá bus station first, then I'll pick you up, or better yet, you can get off the bus from Aparecida (to the largest church in Brazil, second in the world) directly at the largest church in Delfim Moreira. Yes, the city doesn't have a bus station. Eight thousand inhabitants here, including Ray Bandeira, me. And Tutuco Bandeira, my son.
If I was a volunteer, and liked very much nature, quiet forests, soft weather, trails, waterfalls and, of course, a little hard work in the morning… I will be my own volunteer. hahaha
It is a handmade mud eco-friendly bioconstruction veggie bamboo earth co-living camping hands-on cottage building project. (Sorry about that, it is just keywords for this platform.)
Anyway, if most of these words are funny for you, please come to join us!
Okay. If you read up to here, you are a winner of a special opportunity: BUY MY NEW BOOK... just kidding, I don't have any book yet. Maybe we can write together one, why not?
For now, my friend and dear reader, you can follow me in this new adventure as my volunteer in: Earth, South America, Brazil, Minas Gerais, Delfim Moreira, here:45°12'W
See you here, in this planet, future smart volunteer!
Até logo.
Ray Bandeira
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Interests
Movies & TV
Culture
Pets
Sustainability
Vegetarian or vegan
Music
Writing
Photography
Gardening
Cooking & food
Animals
Camping
Nature
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Adventure sports
Mountain
Cycling
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I love to play chess, I can teach you some Portuguese, photography and I can give you tips about national parks in Brazil and around the world.
Help
Tasks like bioconstruction, carpentry, painting, planting trees and gardening is needed.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Esperanto: Beginner
French: Beginner
Accommodation
Accommodation for volunteers is simple and connected to nature. You’ll be staying in tents. A shared bathroom is available. It’s a humble but welcoming environment, ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors and a collaborative lifestyle. The shower is a therapeutic waterfall just 300 meters from the cottage.
What else ...
Itajubá - Minas Gerais - is the main city close, every day buses leave from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to there. Paraty is my favorite beach town around, so may we can connect trips to there.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
My dog don't like cats, but he is friendly with small dogs.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Tutuco (8 years)
Very kind boy. Border Collie.
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Te agradecemos mucho por… read more
It is a beautiful spot in nature, but still close to civilization. It might not have the comfort people are used to but for me it had everything I needed and even more: it was such a pleasure to wake up with the sun shining in my face, and then directly being outside and breathing… read more
Esse foi meu primeiro voluntariado, gostei muito e aprendi muita coisa,… read more
Passamos um mês em seu lindo projeto, e é difícil colocar em palavras tudo o… read more
That was my first project in Workaway and was a great experience. I expent good moments in this work.
Sometimes I worked all day long just because it was so good then I didnt notice the time passing.
I intend to come back and help more with this great project.
II am really grateful to have been part of this.
