Transformative experience at our animal sanctuary in Paredes de Coura, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  Nestled in the countryside of Northern Portugal, is a refuge for animals in need. It is a non-profit NGO which is also a sanctuary for wild flora through the tireless work of Ivone, who manages the small organic farm and agroforestry project. We are a “botanical ark” focused on breeding and sharing rare and native seeds.
  
  We hope that staying here will be a transformative experience, as many of our guests and former volunteers tell us. Here you can learn about sustainability through hands-on work on the farm and caring for the animals. We also welcome people with skills in carpentry or other practical skills that you think can help us care for this land and the animals who call it home. Our values and practices reflect our desire to lead the transition to truly sustainable food systems (we are known for our delicious, home-cooked, plant-based meals) and lifestyles in an ethical and compassionate way.
  
  Volunteering on our farm is a transformative experience that goes far beyond caring for the animals. It is an act of empathy, learning and connection with nature, where we aim to benefit the lives of humans and non-humans alike. Every action contributes to a more compassionate and sustainable world, where experience is reflected in small acts of care and love towards those who need it most.
  
  Um santuário e refúgio para animais em necessidade.
  Um santuário para flora selvagem, promovendo a biodiversidade.
  Uma quinta biológica e um projeto agroflorestal autossustentável.
  Um projeto educativo que promove os valores e as práticas de sustentabilidade.
  Uma “arca botânica” de preservação de sementes focada na reprodução e partilha de sementes raras e autóctones.
  Um centro especializado na promoção da cozinha vegetariana – um elemento essencial numestilo de vida sustentável.
  
  O voluntariado na nossa quinta é uma experiência transformadora que vai muito além do cuidado com os animais. É um ato de empatia, aprendizagem e ligação com a natureza, onde a vida de humanos e não humanos é beneficiada e enriquecida diariamente.
  Cada ação contribui para um mundo mais compassivo e sustentável, onde a experiência se reflete em pequenos atos de cuidado e amor para com aqueles que mais precisam

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals
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  Interests

  

  Self development

  

  Pets

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Sustainability

  

  Farming

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Plant care

  

  Gardening

  

  Animals

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Hiking
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The experience here involves building deep connections, not only with the animals but also with the rest of the team who work daily for animal welfare and sustainable farming, always respecting all forms of life.
  We value the essential help provided by each volunteer, who plays an active role in the daily tasks at the farm.
  We take into account your interests and preferences, so your tasks can be defined in a way that highlights and maximizes your strengths (but we also recommend trying out new things, or challenging yourself to the 'difficult' jobs!)
  As a volunteer, you will have the privilege of experiencing daily life in a magical place surrounded by nature and tranquillity.

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  Help

  We are looking for people with a love for organic, restorative farming projects, which include tasks such as watering and preparing the land for seeding.
  We also look for people with big hearts and practical hands to assist us with animal care, which can include:
  Animals daily feeding and watering.
  Cleaning.
  Grooming.
  Building fences and doing small carpentry tasks in the animals' areas.
  Collecting fallen branches and splitting and stacking firewood.
  Gathering herbs to feed the animals.
  Just spending time with them to show them some love - we have pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, geese, ducks, peacocks, horses, sheep, a guinea pig, among others - all of whom deserve some attention after their difficult past experiences.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  French: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  We provide a very comfortable room with en-suite bathroom that can be shared with other volunteers. Every corner here is magical, and from your window you can see the giant oak trees or some of the resident animals strolling around.
  Volunteers can cook their own meals using the fully equipped kitchen and we are able to provide some (but not all) food for this.
  Whenever possible, we provide food from the farm!
  Disponibilizamos um quarto que poderá ser partilhado com outros voluntários.
  Cada recanto é magico, e da sua janela poderá ver os gigantes carvalhos ou alguns dos animais redidentes a passear.
  Os voluntários terão que cozinhar as suas próprias refeições tendo uma cozinha totalmente equipada e a associação poderá fornecer alguns alimentos para o efeito.
  Sempre que possivel, fornecemos alimentos disponiveis na Quinta para que os voluntários possam cozinhar as suas próprias refeições.

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  What else ...

  The nearest grocery store and restaurant are 2 km from the Quinta and the village (Paredes de Coura) is 9 km away. The Quinta does not guarantee that volunteers can travel in their free time, so they must become independent and be able to enjoy their rest time by walking along the magical paths of the Rio Coura or around here. From time to time, a ride may be provided but this is punctual and depends on the availability of the Quinta staff. There is a taxi service that volunteers can use to travel to the locations. We are supporters of a vegan and sustainable diet, we defend the well-being of all, harmony between humans and non-humans, and it is essential that people who want to join us share the same values. *As this is an Animal Sanctuary, it is important that volunteers are fully available to help in emergency or unforeseen situations.
  
  A mercearia e restaurante mais perto ficam a 2 km da Quinta e a vila (Paredes de Coura) fica a 9km de distância.
  A Quinta não assegura as deslocações dos voluntários nos seus tempos livres, sendo necessário que estes se tornem independentes e possam usufruir do seu tempo de descanso aproveitando para caminhar pelos mágicos caminhos do Rio Coura ou em volta da.
  De vez em quando poderá ser-lhe fornecida uma boleia mas isto, pontualmente e dependendo da disponibilidade dos colaboradores da Quinta.
  Existe um serviço de taxi que os voluntarios podem usar para se deslocarem para as localidades .
  
  Somos adeptos de uma alimentação vegana e sustentável, defendemos o bem-estar de todos , a harmonia entre humanos e não humanos, sendo essencial que as pessoas que se queiram juntar a nós partilhem dos mesmos valores.
  
  *Sendo um Santuário Animal é importante que os voluntários tenham disponibilidade total para ajudar em situações de emergência ou imprevistos.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Zacarias

  Zacarias the sheep

  

  Chia

  

  Duke

  

  Pepa

  

  Goji

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