Community, inclusive, sustainable, health giving project in rural Leiria, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  Community care is Self care.
  Ubuntu (interconnectedness).
  "The good of other people must be invoked as well as the good for oneself. It is quite clear that purely inter-psychic individualist psychology without reference to other people and social conditions is not adequate." Maslow (1966) - TLDR: "Happiness only real when shared" Christopher McCandless (1992).
  
  This project is under construction. It is in it's physical early stages but with well set goals and guidelines. The dream is to build a self sustainable village for holistic/preventive health care as well as a community center for time, knowledge and object sharing.
  
  At this point, the circumstances allow only for a virtual village and a place to experiment with the community center, so we started by turning our late great grandmother's place of business into a library and community workshop space. Which construction and organization is the ongoing phase of the project for now.
  
  We consider 'The Library' an important first physical place for our village. This is a 'library of things'. From clothes, to arts and crafts supplies, from beads to (I hope in the near future) seeds. It also has books relative to environmental, social, emotional and relational skills (and more traditional novels and comics), an evolving sample of knowledge which we hope provides for a large group of people, from butterflies to more steady attendees. The goal here is to develop more community building and persevering practices like a time-bank, regular workshops, peer to peer learning moments, study rooms and what more people think serves them and the community.
  
  Parallel to this, Mari works on helping people deal with their own conditions and disabilities, and Pipa works freelance in communication and cultural production.
  
  
  Mari:
  I make most of my studies around psychology and emotions and communication and spiritual growth and social organization. Currently diving more deeply on the science of trauma, I also have ten years of experience with my own therapy and recovery journey. Joy, non violent communication, radical acceptance, honesty, authenticity and compassion are my guiding lights through life and it's shadows.
  Health and natural remedies are also a big part of what I do with life.
  Building community everywhere and in every way I find possible is what drives me everyday and is the short, medium and long term goal for my life.
  I base my strategy for future informal ways of education for others on informal ways of self education.
  Disabled, Dog owner, Feminist, Revolutionary Love practices, pro Palestine (as in
  “I am not free while any [person] is unfree, even when [their] shackles are very different from my own.” ― Audre Lorde), Neurodivergent, 🏳️‍🌈🏴‍☠️; Cancer sun, Virgo rising, Virgo moon (ask for the rest), Generator in human design, Wounded Healer.. don't remember other xD
  
  Pipa:
  Leiria doesn't resonate much with me, but I'm proudly from A-do-Barbas. I know the streets better than the palm of my hand and where all the best downhills to ride on a bike are.
  I don't have a life motto but, if I did, it would be something like "Always learning, always improving". I also identify with "Education is liberation", "No one is free until everyone is free", "Communicate to create, create to communicate", "Community was the past and will be the only possible future" and most of what Mari wrote up there.
  One of my main interests is film and shows, would love to share some watching sessions or just talk about it.
  In truth, I love to share and discuss everything, knowledge, experiences, food, books, music, opinions...
  Studied BA Communication at the University of Porto, but found my greatest schools in TUP (a semi-professional theatre company) and volunteering.
  After my degree and before coming back home, I was living in an island called São Miguel. There I grew a lot and got in touch with a bunch of different realities, from working with the communities in projects to meeting artist from all around the world in my work with production. Mostly in cultural events, festivals, film and performance. Also founded an artistic collective called Cara Lavada, which I left behind with the island. But I brought with me all the experience, knowledge, activism, desire to experiment, influence, create! and express (artistically or not so).
  Now I'm doing some freelance jobs in the same area, but also some digital work as needed. And learning to rest in between.
  My dog is my baby, Pamifreya Joacine Margarida (Pam or Pami for short). She has the softest fur and once she warms up to you, won't leave your sight. She could be petted 24/7 for all she cares.
  
  We would love to paint with you, hang out, talk, listen to music, and learn from each other.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Books

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Movies & TV

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Pets

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Performing arts

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Art & design

  

  Camping

  

  Dancing

  

  Mountain

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Previous workawayers were mostly looking to learn about daily life of being disabled while trying to change the world and it was a compatible filter.
  We've been known for the consistent knowledge and wisdom exchange on life and food and worldviews and sustainability and social structures and personal deconstruction and self development and ... Since the project is built on knowledge and culture and community, we hope everyone can always learn more about it.
  
  The village is surrounded by factories and roads as much as (some magical) green forests.
  Around here the culture is mainly based on portuguese familial traditions and life organization.
  It is a typical portuguese industrialized village. You can witness and exchange with the people around specially on holidays. but also everyday life. Some people are homophobic, transphobic, sexist, and racist, and might stare you down, but beyond people looking at you rudely, the village is safe (and they are kind of used to "different" people that associate with us coming around). If you need nightlife, cultural things to do, or plenty of people, this is not your place or you need to go for some escapades in the neighboring cities (~20min drive).
  
  This is our mom's family's village, however we always had a hard time making friends, fitting in or finding community here due to the town being very small, conservative, and limited in resources (and we being deemed "weird").
  
  Mari:
  I've lived in several collective/community households and travelled around Portugal enough to help plan for an adventure (in and maybe out of the country).
  I can usually provide with information about everything country related except mainstream or teenage culture.
  I am pretty good in teaching. Be it the pronunciation of tricky words or how to build a clothing item; or even something I can't do myself, I know about the body and intuintion/superstition physics, and beauty and accessibility and comfort and empathy and joy and pain..... so anything you need that needs these, please ask.
  
  Pipa:
  I love to look for ways to optimize life around me. Either it's a website, a simple text or a big project, I would love to look at it with you and use my knowledge and experience to help the best I can.
  Also love to teach, so from sewing to editing film to physical expression, if there is some form of knowledge I can pass along, it would be my pleasure.
  
  Or just company, sometimes the only thing you need is someone to be there doing things by your side or keeping you in check, we can help with that!

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  Help

  We are both physically and mentally *spicy* people with low energy levels, sensory issues, triggers and such. In Mari's case, this includes high pain levels and an hardcore gluten intolerance, which often lead to migraines. We choose to disclose this information upfront so you know why sound, smell, temperature and ingredients all have their specific levels of tolerance in the household.
  
  The proposition:
  We need as much meals cooked by you as possible, so that we can have energy to do anything else and get our lives and the project going. Also, the kitchen is yours to keep clean.
  Meal prepping for several days is always an option (we can give you all the guidelines you need) ;) Filling up the freezer for the bad times to come is much appreciated. The water in our house's sink is cold or heated with the electric kettle but there's my mom's dishwasher to help.
  
  Optional:
  Once a month Jonas and Pamifreya (the dogs) need a bath, help with that would be welcomed.
  The workshop and library also need work before it can all be functional for public use.
  If you have skills on house repair work we can also talk about that.
  
  Most of the day and week is yours to do as you please. We can discuss preferences and hours and rest days.
  
  Our house is a pro-Palestine and every indigenous peoples' liberation, anti-fascist, community-minded space.
  Communication is ever improving and honesty is valued here.
  We'll all be much more comfortable if you have similar moral values.
  
  If this is resonating with you and you're at all excited with the idea, please send me a thorough message with the word rainbow, telling me what you think, and let's get the conversation going. I'm very excited about the possibilities. Talk to you soon!

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  Languages spoken

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

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  Accommodation

  There is a small bed on the living room floor or the option to share the room with Pipa (bunk bed). We try to give as much privacy as possible in both situations. And there are cabinets available for personal items aplenty.
  The bathroom is shared by all, with running hot water in the shower. Towels are available.
  The kitchen is not fancy at all, the fridge is small, the freezer even smaller, and the stove is kind of uncomfortable to use, but! it's functional, we have an airfryer, a microwave and all the common amenities. You can also have space for your stuff there.
  The living room is cozy and suited for both work and rest environments.
  No smoking inside. Outside you can do as you please.
  The house is overall cold in the winter and warm in the summer (like any traditional portuguese house, people here don't care much about insulation); it's old and not that sunny inside. But we have a few heaters and lots of comfy covers.
  Jonas and Pamifreya live inside with us and are free to use the couch.
  There's an outside open space with concrete, big lawn, some veggies and chickens. Here, the sun shines bright and the birds sing loud. This space is also shared with my mom (and her best friend/neighbor who is here more often than not) .
  
  We don't like to have meat in the house although we can tolerate dairy and some other products.
  
  We're currently not capable of providing food outside our regular items.
  
  There is a bike and two electric scooters (only do small trips, like 5km with full charge) that you are free to use.
  
  You also have full access to the workshop space and library of materials, so you can go wild on the creativity flux.

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  What else ...

  Transportation:
  In the village, there's the local bus to Leiria and that's it (because that's not the strong suite around here).
  For longer distances, there is a train station 50min walk or 5min drive or 12min bike ride away from the house. Bus stations are only available in the nearest towns (Marinha Grande, Leiria, Batalha).
  We have access to a car and can arrange to pick you up/drop you off.
  
  Grocery shopping:
  It's challenging but doable.
  We usually go once a week for the big stuff, you are welcome to come along or add some items to our list.
  There is also a mini market just around the corner, a supermarket 2km away, and a weekly morning flee/farmers market, also 2km from here.
  
  Tourism:
  The village is surrounded by nature and it's very peaceful and pretty to walk around. If stargazing is your thing, than you found your place. We also have a few local marks of very low importance, but we can take you on an all prestigious guided tour by all of them.
  Other than that, if you want to go a bit further, here are some places with sights to consider:
  > Paredes de Vitória - closest beach, nice to go to by bike ~14km
  > Nazaré - a beach town very rich in tradition and culture, the water is very cold tho ~20km
  > Leiria - the capital of our district, it has a castle and a river that you can't swim in ~10km
  > Batalha - architectural and historical relevance ~10km
  > Fátima - its sanctuary is one of the main religious centres of the country ~20km
  > Alcobaça - artistic, cultural and historical relevance; also, conventual sweets ~20km

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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

  Several options of places to park. Easy to provide with electricity or water directly/in close proximity to the van. In that case you can bring your pets.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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