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Description
I'm a 59 year-old retired nurse who lived in Canada for 34 years and just purchased a piece of the Atlantic Rainforest on the Mantiqueira Mountains in Engenheiro Passos, Resende-RJ
Our focus is to create a Canadian Ecovillage in Brazil, where we use English as our first Language, so locals and people from non-speaking Countries may improve their English Language Conversational Skills and Cultural Awareness while having a true Forest Living Experience in our beautiful Reserve!!!💚
Our main focus is the reforestation of pastures inside of the Atlantic Rainforest using the principles of agroforestry, creating and keeping our existing organic gardens and the general maintenance of our wild campgrounds, wild hostel, day use recreation area and tending to Visitors' requests.💚
Do your 3 hours of work x 5 days a week and go explore the Atlantic Rainforest!🌴 Boots, gloves, long pants, long sleeves, sun lotion, sunglasses, large hats, band aids and antihistamines (allergy meds) are all necessary to ensure your safety.
*Please be aware: Snakes, wild pigs, spiders, and many other venomous and/or dangerous creatures, lives in the forest! 🐍🦂🐗🕷🦟🐝🐸🐒🐊🦊🦔🦅🐅🕸🐆
We encourage our Volunteers to travel around Rio De Janeiro and other Places to explore our beautiful countryside on days off or longer and return at their will.
*Please bring your own food supplies and cook your meals in our fully equipped community kitchen, which is also used by our private clients.
*My family and I do drink water straight from our mountains' springs, but please feel free to use a filtering system, if you prefer.
*Our Exchangers must NOT smoke inside or around rooms or verandas near the main building, hostel rooms, camping sites, kitchen, swimming pool, sauna, etc.
*Social drinking is acceptable at your own expense. You will be considerate towards others at all times and participate in the daily maintenance of all shared spaces, such as general cleaning, your own meals preps, maintaining main areas such as kitchen, cleaning host's private home, bathroom, verandas, kennel, chicken coup, sheep house, and entertainment areas.
*We appreciate two weeks stayers, but we're very willing to take longer stayers, as long both sides are pleased.🤝🏾
*We're also fully aware that life happens. Therefore, we are accommodating and fully understanding when people choose to leave earlier than first agreed. 🎯
*For your protection, please bring long-neck boots, sunglasses, gardening/construction gloves, hats, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and a must-have, raincoat. We do plant trees and do other outdoor work even when it's raining.
*Be aware that forest living offers many perks but can be dangerous as well. There are amphibians, insects, birds, and reptiles whose only home is inside the Atlantic Rain Forest. 🐍🐸🐆🕷
Please have all WHO's recommended immunization and health insurance for anyone traveling to Brazil, up to date. At this moment, the recommendations are yellow fever, tetanus, and Covid-19.
It also might be a good idea to bring mosquito repellent, a hammock with mosquito net, topical antiseptic, band-aid and allergy ointments for cuts and bites, antihistamine meds, long neck Boots, long sleeves/pants and tops, old working clothing, broad edges hats, Raincoat, many pairs of construction gloves.
We are able to accommodate SINGLES or couples who won't mind sharing our mixed gender dorm with a max of 2 Exchangers at a time.
The Exchangers' room is an old bunker and must be kept clean daily and with doors and window screens closed to avoid the entrance of insects, amphibians, mice, and bats, that are all over the forest, including on top of all structure's roof.
*If you require privacy, please bring your own tent or rent one of our private rooms. 🏕 🏡
* Your laundry will be done by hand.
Please bring your own laundry soap or purchase it from us.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will learn by experiencing alternative forest living daily, by exploring the surroundings, observing wildlife and assisting with the many daily tasks required, to survive in the woods.
We have an ongoing reforestation of the Atlantic Rainforest, which requires collecting native seeds to grow new trees to warrant the perpetuation of the its species. Also, as they grow, we transplant them and must maintain the area around them free of weeds for the first 3 years.
Weekly forest shopping or foraging to harvest our daily food such as fruit, roots, vegetables and much more, is an incredible class in itself and keep your food bills low!!!💚😋
You will be learning or sharpen your skills while sharing and exploring the very biodiverse Atlantic Rainforest's fauna and flora. It's extremely important to be aware of daily precautions needed in order to safely live surrounded by dangerous enphibians, reptiles, wild animals, etc... And always remind ourselves that we are in their home and that although the Forest belongs to everyone, not everyone belongs and are able to safely live in the forest.
You may also enjoy and take full advantage doing some serious self-care by immersing under our beautiful waterfalls and daily forest bathing!!!! Experience and learn about Agroforestry, forestry cuisine, (you must go forest shopping), Brazilian local cuisine in surrounding areas is about 10km away, learn about our culture, costumes, language, organic farming, community living, making friends from different parts of the world and from Brazil as well, sharing, learning and teaching with and from our visitors and while taking care of our dogs, sheep, chicken, quails, etc...
Help
Native and fruit trees planting and/or transplanting, organic farming/gardening, building/maintaining watering system, swimming pool cleaning, manual and carpentry work, host's house cleaning, general campgrounds maintenance.
*Please bring your own extra food and laundry supplies (only asking for 20 hours of help per week).
We offer rice and beans, canola oil, onions, and garlic. Everything else must be brought in by you.
There are many markets in the village where you can buy milk, cheese, eggs, smoked meat directly from a neighboring farm, about 1-hour walk down the road. Be aware, it's unpasteurized milk.
There are plenty of grocery stores to purchase your food supplies in Engenheiro Passos Village.
You have access to all seasonal foods offered by our abundant Atlantic Rainforest, but you must go and Forest shopping for your own forest food.
There's always raw rice and beans available in our community kitchen. Feel free to prepare it and help yourselves.
*Please bring your own food and cook your meals for yourself. Please identify your food supplies placed in our community fridge.
Bring your own food and drinks. Whatever forestal fruits are in season, feel free to go harvest and enjoy them!!!
Alcohol is allowed, but only in moderation, please.
Please be aware that ALL illegal drugs in Brazil are also prohibited in our space.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
Japanese and Mandarin
Accommodation
We're a Natural Aquapark Forestal Reserve with a Jungle Camping site inside of the Atlantic Rainforest, so if you don't want to share the bunker you may bring your own tent, sleeping bags, hammock with mosquito net, and general camping gear to warrant some privacy.
Feel free to go forest foraging for wild food, such as bananas, jackfruit, roots, spinach, etc...
We use propane or wood stoves for cooking. It's imperative that we do our best to use our fuels wisely to avoid waste and to be as environmentally conscious as possible at all times. No baking, please.
It's your responsibility to know and let others know about food, bees, wasp, environmental, and/or all ALLERGIES.
Information must be documented on your profile.
The main house where Hosts reside, is also a private or shared rooms where paying guests stays. It's off-limits for Volunteers.
The Forest space is available for you to explore and forage for foods, with much carefully. Our organic gardens have a limited supply of veggies.
For all your food supplies, personal items, and laundry supplies, there are supermarkets 10 km away, in Engenheiro Passos Village.
We keep some raw rice and beans available for all our Exchangers. Feel.free to prepare and enjoy it.
It's about a 2 hrs walk. You may call in an Uber for about $50 Reais each way.
In Engenheiro Passos you'll find all basic foods, such as rice beans, pasta, flour, eggs, meat products nuts, milk, cheese, coffee, cereals, chips, chocolates, candies, wine, beer, laundry, basic personal hygiene items, restaurantes, pizza house, fastfoods and the likes.
Please arrive between 0700-1800 hrs.
Arrivals after Sunset or before Sunrise are NOT recommended.
Day time pick up or drop-off by us may be possible, but must be pre-booked at least 2 days in advance: From or to Engenheiro Passos: $50 Reais each way.
There are many independent options for taxis, Uber and blablacar services in Engenheiro Passos as well, and you may order directly with them.
What else ...
Our space is a wild campground. We offer you a shared dorm with 3 bunks, where campers sleeps as well.
For privacy, feel free to bring your own tent, sleeping bags or a hammock with a mosquito net attached. 🏕
*Since we are inside of the Atlantic Rainforest, please have your tetanus, yellow fever vaccine, Covid-19 and any other travel immunizations recommended for a safe forest living experience.
Bring a pair of long neck boots, hats, sunglasses, old long sleeves shirts and working pants, construction + gardening gloves and plenty of mosquitoes repellent and sunscreen
Our Ecovillage Reserve, is an Ecotourism paradise, with plenty of Wildlife, waterfalls and biodiversity for You, to be respectfully experienced, explored and shared, with all living creatures!!!💚
*10 km walks from Engenheiro Passos up the Mantiqueira Mountains. Please avoid night arrivals.
*Uber service for the 10 km, from our district of Engenheiro Passos is available for about 50 Reais each way.
Booking in advance is recommended.
Day time arrivals are recommended.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Although we are inside of the Atlantic Forest and high on the Mantiqueira Mountains, as long as we have eletricity, We do have a fairly good unlimited internet access around the verandas of the main building, which is my private home. Please be aware, that during the Summer, which is our heavy raining season, (December to March), there are frequent blackouts lasting for as little as a few minutes, to as long as 6 hours or even to full days.
Space for parking camper vans
We've got free parking space for the vehicle of the person who's exchanging with us. You may park your campervan and motorhome free of charge. For anyone else on the bus or van who is not volunteering, you must pay a daily camping fee.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
4 hrs X 5 days a week
Feedback (36)
She gardens, she cut tall grass, that resembles sugar cane, operating a machete like a pro, she loves animals and took exceptional care for them, keeping their living space impeccably clean. On top of it all, she was a pleasant company, with… read more
Lorne stayed with us for two weeks cutting grass, taking care of animals such as sheep, dogs and chickens.
He works independently and does his work with precision.
I would take Lorn back as an Exchanger, anytime.
My previous workaway was in a ski resort in Japan, and this was about the opposite you can get, both physically and culturally lol.
It was really interesting hearing about Connie's life experience, her views on Brazil, and… read more
This duo were pure gold while staying here for 3 weeks. They work hard, smartly and with amazing synchronization. Perfect partners in Good and I highly recommended them.
Digging holes are hard work and they went out there rain or shine and did it, maintaining an admirable… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.8)
She gardens, she cut tall grass, that resembles sugar cane, operating a machete like a pro, she loves animals and took exceptional care for them, keeping their living space impeccably clean. On top of it all, she was a pleasant company, with… read more
Lorne stayed with us for two weeks cutting grass, taking care of animals such as sheep, dogs and chickens.
He works independently and does his work with precision.
I would take Lorn back as an Exchanger, anytime.
My previous workaway was in a ski resort in Japan, and this was about the opposite you can get, both physically and culturally lol.
It was really interesting hearing about Connie's life experience, her views on Brazil, and… read more
This duo were pure gold while staying here for 3 weeks. They work hard, smartly and with amazing synchronization. Perfect partners in Good and I highly recommended them.
Digging holes are hard work and they went out there rain or shine and did it, maintaining an admirable… read more
Then more recently, I also host Rocio with Gustavo for one month and it continued to get even better, because between the two of them I've definitely, got the… read more
Johnny responsibly fed… read more
If you need a getaway from the city or if you just need some quiet time this is your spot. You will experience beautiful nature and can work in and around it (if the weather allows it).
Connie offers a variety of work, depending on what needs to be done, what you are capable of and again… read more
Aside from being a pleasant company, a caring animal lover and an Excellent Caretaker for my home and garden, he was also very attentive and sensitive to the needs of Everyone around him.
Rafa arrived when I needed assistance the most due to a knee injury and stayed at our Reserve for 2… read more
So, there was some struggles for the first week with his abilities to perform the agreed duties, but by the second week he caught up satisfactorily.
The last 2 weeks his skills improved exponentially. Therefore,… read more
She has a great property surrounded by lush nature. During my stay I made a door with reclaimed wood.
I had all the tools at my disposal including a table saw, I loved using it.
After my hours of work, we went to the village festival, did some shopping, harvested bananas in the forest... (Etc)
I was even… read more
Gracias a todos especialmente a Connie por tan grata experiencia.
Ready and willing to do whatever was the task and tackled it with gusto. Although I left after just one week after their arrival, I was certain they were and would continue to be collaborative with our projects to… read more
Foi minha primeira experiência de trabalho em troca de hospedagem e foi incrível.
Gostei de trabalhar com a Connie e também das nossas conversas. A propriedade oferece muita diversão em… read more
Conny is an amazing person, full… read more
Each visit was filled with amazing entertainment, laughter, positive energy and incredible work ethics.
This Young Man leaves nothing to be desired as a Volunteer or Guest and I look forward to hosting him again anytime.
Anyone who is lucky enough to host… read more
If you are in to nature and remote quiet locations away from the… read more
I highly recommend this pleasant young lady to whomever needs a gardener! Gratitude for always Flora.💚
He deligently care for the sheep, dogs, chickens, assisted with clearing trails, cutting grass, revamping the vegetable gardens, participated in our Atlantic Rainforest reforestation program and cooked delicious meals as well. He did… read more
No one has cleaned the Sheep and Dog's quarters so well!!! She cleaned everything as if she would be living there and it's a true testament of the type of person Carol is. I've had people who used the animals as therapist, but Carol was the Therapist for our animals!!! She sang and played and cared fr them in… read more
Thank you so much for all your very hard work transplanting tones of bananas trees in our agroforestry program, opening new trails inside of the forest so campers can better… read more
On top of working very hard and being very trustworthy, he was also so much fun to have around! He was very considerate towards me, my family, my animals, other Volunteers, friends and Clients.
Rick and I are forever grateful!
Spencer was always ready to assist, share knowledges, take… read more
I… read more
Cristina is very considerate, polite and trust worthy. I travelled for two weeks and she kept the entire farm running perfectly fine.
I have so much gratitude for the time she volunteered with us… read more
Waking up everyday in that place was a bless for me . Yes ,the work was hard But it was worth it! I'm so happy I got to spend some time there .Connie tried her best to make us feel home , and shared her vision of life with us , I can say… read more
Thank you very much and may the Forest always be with you!:deciduous_tree:
In the evening I cooked a meal for everybody and shared lots of information about our countries. Our group had six people from Brazil, Canada, Germany and… read more
