Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
76.5 %
Usually responds within 9 days
Feedback
17
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi, I am a writer and holistic therapist, working with sound, music, dance, and herbs. I live with my 3 sons, who are home/community educated. We have some land in a beautiful valley, with a great community, full of inspiring people! We built a shist eco home and lived there until it was destroyed in the big Portuguese firestorm, in October 2017. We have now, after 4 years returned to our rebuilt house, which has taken a while, yet thankfully it is an upgraded version of what we once had. We have two caravans on our land and this is where we invite volunteers to stay.
The large caravan has a burner, a separate bedroom inside and also has indoor cooking facilities and this is the accommodation available for volunteers. We also share meals. We are in the process of building an adobe outhouse with a shower room, compost loo, workshop, and healing room.
I have studied permaculture and assisted with teaching courses and like to implement this knowledge, in the creation of our project. We are working towards reviving our forest style, organic vegetable and herb garden. Also this year I would like to rebirth my stock of local flower remedies. Prior to the fire, I had a project to promote flower remedies (similar to the Bach flower remedies) as a therapeutic practitioner and wholesaler.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There are beautiful waterfalls at the head of our valley and other interesting natural places to visit, including the Mata de Margarca; a small nature reserve, above our valley.
I am also happy to share my skills and experience in the various things that I do, such as making tree and flower essences, healing balms, raw chocolate, colloidal silver alongside the creation of holistic dance spaces and ceremonies for earth healing. I am also involved in alternative education within the community and am a musician and poet. Of course, my availability will depend upon the timing of what priorities are present, according to the seasons and commitments that I have throughout the year.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Currently we are preparing the land; which involves clearing wood, etc to create space for the building of a new shed and a tradition swet lodge. Also, I would like help with the continuation of building an outhouse; which is a bathroom, and healing room/ come potential bedroom, involving mixed materials; such as, adobe and cob, with a lime and sand render and back holding wall, with cement blocks. Other potential tasks on the outhouse are painting, mosaic and tiling. Also, we need help with tipi construction, including cutting and preparing poles. Using the natural material of 'Shyst' we are making a slate paving base for the tipi. Also in the garden, I would like assistance with other things including, pruning, building an irrigation and grey water system, land design, planting and general maintenance.
My 3 lovely boys, ages 11, 15 and 19 are all an integrated part of this venture and positive input with them is essential and a pleasure, as many friends tell me. General support within the day to days of the life is also very much appreciated. Help is also required for the holistic produce that I make, such as gathering and planting and preparing herbs, so this is another option, for those with interest in these areas.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Portuguese: Beginner
Accommodation
Currently, we have 2 caravans on our land that can be used as accommodation. There are kitchen facilities and running water. We have a usable bathroom in the outhouse, with a shower, sink, bidet and compost toilet. The bathroom is fully functioning, yet there is still beautifying work to be made inside, involving tiling, lime rendering, and mosaic. There is also a small river and a natural dipping pool, at the bottom of the land.
What else ...
The area where we live flows with beautiful rivers, streams and waterfalls, offering wonderful bathing places for the heat of the summer and interesting places for hiking in the winter.
So, other things of interest.. there are a lot of musicians around and artists . There´s also a wealth of community projects happening such as ajudas (communal work days), transition town activities, environmental awareness, holistic living e.t.c. The village is in walking distance of our home (20 mins), with a small shop for basic provisions and a lovely open air cafe, where wifi is available. There is also a river beach and a small community venue.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (8)
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Feedback
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We felt at home and part of the family from day one. Zoe was a great host and her three kids are the best, nicest, funniest, smartest and kindest specimens on the planet.
We planned on going here for two weeks but we ended prolonging… read more
Zoe and the boys took us to their home and the
connection was so good and smooth that we immediately felt comfortable. She is a wise and strong woman with lots of experience to share and willing o share it. We really enjoyed being at her presence. The boys… read more
Living with Zoe and the boys was a beautiful experience!
She is a real super woman, doing all the work calmly and conciusly. We learned a lot of things from her. We did water meditation, we helped her to built her house, she gave us tips for working in the garden and growing vegetables and… read more
Zoe and the boys are beautiful, gorgeous, inspiring, sweetest of hearts!
It was very much a sincere pleasure to do what I could to help out here.
From the beginning I was made to feel most welcome by all.
Zoe is a very inspirational woman to be around and we buzzed off eachother very well.
I feel I have made a lifelong… read more
