Help building an off the grid non-commericial retreat center near Coimbra, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  Welcome to the DAO Sanctuary!
  
  A hidden gem of 2,5 hectares in the middle of Portugal, a 45 minute drive from Coimbra and 1,5 hour from Porto.
  
  We - Jethro and Sofie (both from the Netherlands) - are building a (non-commericial) retreat centre here. Do you want to join us?
  
  We're located a 10 minute walk away from a small village, so it feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere. With 2 water mines, there is ever flourishing nature. It's such a beautiful place. We're organically growing and eventually want to facilitate retreats here.
  
  Where does the name come from?
  Well, there couldn’t be a better name! We’re located 2 minutes from river the Dão, which also means ‘giving’ in Portugese. Dao is also connected to Taoism. An ancient Chinese philosophy that instructs on how to exist in harmony with the universe. The Tao - or Dao - is hard to define but could be understood as the way of the universe. It is the Unnamed, the first principle, the origin of all that exists. All embracing, endless without desire or dying. It’s also a sanctuary because we see nature as sacred and this is a place for connecting with her. See how this beautifully comes together in the name DAO Sanctuary.
  
  The 4 principles we live by!
  1. Consciously BE.
  In society we’re constantly 'doing'. Here you can experience the bliss of BEING. The joy of a long breath out.
  2. Slow living.
  Come back to your natural rhythm. Everything we do here is by hand, so everything takes more time. Feel relaxed and healthy when you work with your hands surrounded by lush greenery.
  3. Permaculture.
  It’s the interconnectedness between us, the soil and all that grows that makes us stronger and healthier. When we take care of nature, she provides for us with abundance. We can create a balance so all can benefit.
  4. Connect to yourself, each other and Nature.
  We as humans are designed to be related, as does nature. Ancient teachings have been telling for a while, but science is now also confirming that we are all interconnected in a exquisite ongoing process of exchange with all there is. When we are connected to ourselves life get more joyful, playful and meaningful. Here we give space to that.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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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

  When you live with us you'll join a warm hearted community. We do a lot of yoga, meditation, breathwork, singing, dancing and just laugh every day. Jethro and Sofie are both coaches, really invested in living a conscious, healthy and happy life. We are curious people and love to get to know you and help you on your way in life. In exchange we'd love to learn from you about building, gardening, watermanagement and permaculture.

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  Help

  We are looking for conscious people who resonate with our vision. If you are skillful (with wood), or great in gardening or if you have knowledge of permaculture then you're very welcome!
  
  There is a lot to do. Catching up deferred maintenance, care for what is needed now and building the future. We need help gardening. For example weeding bramble, eucalyptus or mimosa, clearing the ground from old dead wood or creating a herb garden. We'd love to create a permaculture ecosystem garden. We need help with building for example a shower/outside bathroom area or a yoga decking.
  
  The projects are diverse, if you want to know what exactly is needed or when you are unsure if you got what is needed - please connect with us! We'd love to hear from you.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  We'd love to learn Portugese.
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  Accommodation

  We have a lovely room for you with the essentials - a (2p) bed, a (compost) toilet, a sink and a wood stove. We cook on camping gas and showering is with cold water. There is no electricity or wifi. So if you're into off the grid lifestyle, this is your place!

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  What else ...

  In your free time you can kayak on the river the Dão. We're close to national park Serra da Estrela, which is incredibly beautiful. You can hike there or mountainbike. You could also do a wine tour, if that's what you like. There are also several markets you can visit. You can go horse riding. And there are many conscious events around.

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  Right now only (small) campervans are possible to stay with us. And be aware that we don't have electricity yet.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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