updated   Last minute

Be part of our tribe and help at an ecological off-grid oasis in Aljezur, Portugal

  • Favourited 3610 times
  • Last activity: 18 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Last minute: *** To start immediately: We are looking for someone that loves to cook to join the kitchen team and cook lunch for the team 👩‍🍳🙏

    *** Between April and May, we are looking for carpenters, masons, painters and wood sculptors, to continue the work in the community village, building a wooden house for the volunteers, recover an old vintage caravan and setup a big garden pond to introduce ducks in our food garden system 🪚🧱🪵 🦆💦

    *** Help needed to regenerate the Forest and create wild fire prevention barriers! - ongoing work until the end of May 🪓 🌱💫

    *** From March until November: general help in the following topics: baby sitting; house keeping; food gardens; animal care and cooking for our amazing team !!!! ✨❤️

    *** Looking for someone that also wants to stay longer and help out in the kitchen - From May until September 👨🏻‍🍳✨🌱

    We are a group of souls dedicated to the international regenerative movement and permanent improvement of the natural environment and human cooperation. From our family dream (of 4), all our movements and growth took us to a special path, holding space for a family to grow into a tribe.

    We are an association of people that have the call to live a life that gives more than what it takes. People that gather to understand how to live a more balanced life, eventually off-grid, in close contact with Nature, for Nature and from Nature. We are anchored to an ecological farm in Aljezur that hosts those seeking for a close encounter with the elements of Nature.

    Based on a 45 hectare land, our place is a laboratory of Agroecology and Human rooting. We investigate, experiment and build knowledge that eventually inspire and reeducate our associates for a regenerative life for a thriving Nature.


    VISION

    We have a vision of a Planet that holds a balanced coexistence between all beings. An existence in which humans are living in harmony with the natural elements and connected to their natural source of happiness. A connection that is based on love, understanding, abundance and simplicity.


    MISSION

    We understand that the relation between Humans and Nature is profoundly unbalanced but there are ways out. 

    From this insight, our mission is to develop and share knowledge that will inspire and enable people to have a regenerative, prosperous and meaningful life, that will bring back the individual and collective balance. 

    We believe this route is based on the understanding of the wholeness and of the collective-individual and spiritual-material relations, in which personal self-consciousness, ancestral knowledge and community agro-ecological practices are well integrated.

    We want to achieve our objectives by holding a space that is in permanent change, integrating diversity and generating the reality we want to live in, a place that holds the good example and inspires people


    VALUES

    Inspired in our Permaculture practice, our values resonate and so:

    We care for the Planet
    We care for the People
    We want to share knowledge

    _________________________________________________ ((((( * ))))) _____________________________________________

    WHAT WE DO AND HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE AND HELP

    "We live on a farm near the coast, that has wild forest, agricultural land and a community of people focused on living closer to their natural source. We are reeducating ourselves to live a regenerative life. Everyday we learn something new out of our process of experimentation to make everything more simple."

    In this process, we have several areas of teaching & learning on the job, in which our affiliates can participate.




    Forestry, Food gardening and animal care
    We are located in a 45 hectare land with all five zones of a Permaculture Farm. We have food gardens to be nurtured, wild and productive forests to be managed under the permaculture guidelines and several farm animals to be cared for.
    If you want to apply for this area of participation you should either have some experience or fresh knowledge in permaculture that you like to put in practice.

    Until May this year, help in forestry is much appreciated. After the big wildfires nearby last year, we are cleaning the surrounding magic forest for fire prevention. So a lot of brush cut, bringing down dead trees and planting new local native species and taking dry stuff from the ways. These actions are also part of the regeneration vision that we sustain.


    Courses and Retreats Support.
    We hold several courses and retreats, single or group ones, organized by ourselves or in partnership. Affiliates can help out in the organization and management of these events and its logistics, or they can propose to create one for the association and offer their own knowledge.


    Natural Building, Forestry and off-grid general maintenance.
    We are totally off-grid, in terms of water and electricity. This means we are independent from any company supplying these basic commodities. All our constructions are natural buildings or involve the usage of ecological and sustainable materials. Affiliates can come to join in rehabilitation, construction or maintenance events, some of this in the form of formal courses or just in the course of the Association daily activity.


    This year, for the next months we open a special spot, for a special help. <3
    We have a nine month baby, so Joana needs some special caring and help.
    If in your soul and natural skills, you love to care for others, we would love to welcome you as a Mammasitting :)
    Tasks will be simple around the house.
    Not all time of the volunteering day will be needed, so this spot can be shared with one of the other areas of interest.


    Community living
    We are a permanent group of at least 10 people working and helping on the Association activities. Cooking, cleaning and general community living is a central experience for those that want to come for a longer period of time that involves staying at least ONE MONTH. Everyone that comes to participate in the Association has the amazing opportunity to meet people from all over the world, enjoy the natural landscape of the farm and explore the world-class coast and beaches of Southwest Portugal.

    ___________________________________________ ((((( * ))))) _______________________________________________________

    We invite the encounter of souls that come from different realms but that share the same values and want to contribute in different ways to the common good of this association. 

    This diversity also translates in different forms of playing a role and participating in this association. The most usual is volunteering <3

    You can join the Association by becoming an Associate and then actively participate as a Volunteer, a Student, a Trainee, a Donor or a mix of these.

    __________________________________________________ (((( * ))))) __________________________________________________



    TAKE NOTE:

    Minimum stay is one month!

    Please, although we love animals we cannot accept others .. If you travelling with your 4 legs pal, we cannot be your hosts.

    Also unfortunately we cannot take families as we all have tasks in same times and there is no conditions to accommodate children or babies.. .

    For all those we manifest our love and vote for finding their \your perfect hosts soon <3

    -
    We are only 15 min driving from the Atlantic Ocean, embracing some of the world's most amazing beaches. The best coast of Europe is actually here. Perfect for surfing.
    In Costa Vicentina, food is totally amazing - fresh fish, sweet potatoes and loads of veggies coming from many permaculture lands around.
    Although Aljezur is a small town, it is very cosmopolite with people from all over the world living here - many spiritual communities also proliferate in this remote coast of west Europe and loads of interesting things are always happening around here ;) There is the Saturdays morning market where the most alternative community mix totally in local farmers.


    Everyday we go to town and some days to Lagos, so you can try to synchronise with the ride, although many people just walk their way. There is also a great shop in Aljezur with bikes to rent out if you want to enjoy the surroundings on a bike.

    This is a good place if you like to meet people. Our house has always some interesting visitors :) good company is granted.

    How organize ourselves:

    As a big tribe we need to organize around here, so we all help with the meals and share some home tasks after work. This is not part of your volunteering gift, but is part of your community duty! Lunch is prepared, by the cook and helper, and all others meals are more free style, and volunteers have the food ingredients to organize them selves.

    We speak Portuguese and Spanish but fluent English is required, as we can be up to 18 people from all over the planet.

    At the table we all speak English to make sure that all understand and are well integrated.

    We use a "navigation board" with the tasks for the week so everyone helps to fill and can follow after. Days off will be spread during the week during summer, spring and autumn, and in winter we focus on Sunday plus Monday or Saturday.

    Shared spaces must be always tidy, so everyone is comfortable., but also for hygienic safety reason, we live in nature! Also everyone will help with dinner by turns. Don't worry if you don't have a clue how to cook :) it's a great opportunity to learn and help the basic.

    Is only allowed to smoke in the proper smoking area, as we live in a protected area.

    We have Cats, chickens and bees, and 2 sweet giant dogs , 2 donkeys.

    Our house is small (but the table is big :) :) :) we created a central kitchen very cosy so volunteers can hang together.

    As long with the volunteer village, here is the invitation to everyone who would like to make it better for the workwayers to come, and of course for the present ones.
    Every year we put a lot of effort in improving conditions for the volunteer village. At the moment we are adding new wooden cabins to the village and renovating a couple of vintage caravans!

    Also another upgrade we made for the volunteers is the sleeping area : we have a caravan for 2 people, and another one for 2 people. There is also a nice container house with 2 rooms (2pp + 2ppl), and a wood shelter for 2.
    The vans are very old but very cute, being renovated as we speak.
    Even having these rooms most of the people prefer to stay in cozy tents (1 person for a tent of 3/4ppl) with a good mattress. The weather is amazing all year round, but we believe is the call for nature that makes volunteers prefer this option.

    There is 2 dry toilets in this area.

    People with their own camper van are very welcome to stay.

    NOTE :
    When you arrive we will give you clean sheets and pillow case, but please bring your own pillow, towel and sleeping bag. We do have extra blankets. We will make a our best to help you ground, and give you a "Welcome Guide" for something we might forget to explain. And a Welcome Buddy..

    Please .. make all questions you need, and be clear if you need something - Here will be your Home for some weeks, or even months, as people tend to stay with us more than the minimum required

    Remember our land is in valley and hills. Fitness is required. :) Any type of fire is forbidden!

    <3 Be Very Welcome to Join our Eco-Project and Family <3

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Workawayers and students will benefit from constant exchange of knowledge that comes along with this project. There is a deep feeling of belonging to the nature, surrounded by beautiful wilderness.
    Here you can wake up with the bird singing and fall asleep with owls <3
    you can learn a lot from different areas, from food to Japanese method to preserve wood..
    We are nice people (hope is not to weird to admitted), speaking portuguese, english and spanish. And we are always ready to embrace new members into the tribe and family, that's is growing with this project and workawayers since 2016 *****

    Some things only become known for who has been here, and some are still with us, for long, and many others keep coming back, so we believe it's a good sign <3

    Joana & Mario

  • Help

    Help

    We need and accept different types of help during different times of the year:

    SUMMER TIME - Special attention to Help in the House, and in the Farm, with food gardens maintenance, cooking, house keeping, laundry, team breakfast preparation and general maintenance.

    - Also we are looking for Yoga / Pilates teachers and other wellbeing activities facilitators. This will be part of their routine while doing other general tasks in the community

    ALL YEAR - Gardening, animal care, farming, cooking, forest maintenance tasks, general housekeeping, building maintenance, art craft, painting, furniture, sculpture in dead trees, keeping the volunteers kitchen and dry compost

    October to April - Special help managing the farm in this southern warm winter.... ! all summer structures will come down, stored and maintained. A great help is necessary in the regeneration project, with a lot of forest work: brush-cutting, tree care and pruning, planting, shredding and foraging for wild food.
    We also need a hand in the kitchen and in the food gardens during the entire period.

    February to April - Handyman and handywomen are welcome with carpentry, masonry and plumbing skills to help fixing and upgrading the natural building structures. We are also looking for skilled artists to work on wood sculptures and make our forest a more magical place.

    Other things or needs may pop up on the way :D

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    Portuguese: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We are in Algarve, with great weather all year long, ideal for the outdoor living most of the year. The house is not big, but we have a big kitchen and different commun spaces to share.. We created a Central kitchen, with volunteers for volunteers <3 we are creating a new chill out area and new hot showers.

    IN WINTER- accomodation we have 2 caravans one for 2 people, and the other for 2 ppl max. A wood shelter for 2 ppl max. We also have a super big belltent that can hold 4 tents inaide. Even so, in winter many people search the nature contact and want to be in a tent, leaving many times empty rooms...

    Although water is scarce in the region and we always have to manage it well along the year.

    IN THE SUMMER accomodation is in individual tents (we use 1p/tent but they meant for 3ppl) , and a outdoor chill out. . in a cute pine tree forest with shade all the time, the vans, and wood shelter.

    The view is just amazing and workawayers can have there own privacy and confort too. There is a dry compost toillet in the camping, and hot shower

    People with their own camper van are welcome too!!

    It's MANDATORY TO you bring your own sleeping bag if you have, and your personal towel, or pillow (for the ones who can travel with) ... :) Please also bring a clean scarf to use in your head when cooking

    (We cannot accept other dogs, although we love them)

    bring good shoes, your hat , sun cream and a head flash light if you have it :)

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The farm is just 4km from the town. We go everyday to the town to drop and pick up the kids at school, so it will be easy to move around.

    Also our land is made of sweet green mountains, and hold a Mediterranean forest of 45 hectares... Good to walk and dive in.

    Aljezur has all the basics..
    There are holistic doctors, an organic shop, many spiritual communities, and super nice Saturday market.

    There are many cool spots with projects in town a lot of good things happening , concerts, workshops, yoga and great amazing vegan food, art fairs, Dancing....

    Aljezur, located in world class Costa Vicentina, is surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Food is delicious and if you like to eat real fish.. .then you will be in paradise.

    In Aljezur you can enjoy nature trekking, Yoga classes, mindfullness groups, and much more of the spiritual realm. Lagos, the closest big city, is just half an hour driving from Aljezur.
    Around this area there are many special alternative flea markets, also with events and music. Once in a month...

    In another direction, also half an hour from Aljezur, you will reach Monchique, a natural park in the heart of the highest and biggest mountain of Algarve, with a healing spring water and thermal facilities (it seems that it has the most alkaline water in Europe).

    The mountains of Monchique are also magical area to explore, if you like hiking..
    Come and find more .....
    .

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Yes we can.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 423641437586

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