Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
30 Apr 2025
Reply rate
88.5 %
Usually responds within 9 days
Feedback
15
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Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
Please read our complete description before applying, thank you!
Arriving here you’ll find yourself on multiple hectares of beautiful land in Palmela, Portugal. The land is a part of Arrábida National Park, some 30 minutes from Lisbon and just 10 minutes from the beach. There are a couple of buildings (or should we say ruins...?) which we want to turn into greenhouses, (textile-, wood-, ceramic-, metal-) workshops, public kitchens etc. The fertile ground is home to our beloved syntropic food forrest and will keep on giving oranges, walnuts, avocados and more in the future. Next door you’ll find a coffee bar, run by a funny team of elderly locals.
In July 2022, a forest fire burned most of the land. How unfortunate this might be, we want to see it as a fact of life, and a good start for our project. We let it grow, just like nature.
The exchange!
Since 2019, our international volunteer programme has hosted over 150 people, from a diverse range of backgrounds with a wide variety of skills. The opportunity to work within this field means you can either develop your existing expertise, or pick up new skills! Volunteers can quickly learn about building, renovation and the constant maintenance that is necessary to keep a large piece of land running. More below under "help requested"!
There is a public kitchen where you can cook and share meals with other volunteers. We can adapt to all dietary preferences and the expenses for everyday meals are covered.
We have plenty of space for campervans on our property. If you're arriving on foot we can accommodate you in one of our rooms or stationary caravans.
Niko is always around to guide you and help you with your questions, if André is out and about to get material or spend time with his son Inox!
About your host, André:
“Building a new life in Portugal, just south of Lisbon in the mountains on the seaside. Arrabida region, in beautiful village of Palmela. with my 4 year old son Inox Luka, living in a gigantic classic winehouse complex, after loosing his mom in a tragedy. Natural park of Arrabida starts in front of our doors, we look over Lisbon, and the ocean and Setubal at the end of our street. I'm a refugee of living in the fast lane of Northern Europe. Fled for the oceans of ambitions, political, artistic and environmental pollution to start all over again under the Portuguese sun. Trying to find a life more connected, lesser organized, lesser efficient and lesser ambitious. Time and place is what matters and no fear for failure, embrace failure, we're all so obsessed by success. Fearless jumping into this great adventure in the search for enlighting, profoundness and truthfulness avoiding regretting things I have not done in life. I live day by day, the care of my son is in hands of my mom and sister, 2 amazing Portuguese superwomen who support me in the chase of the light. Starting from scratch a new life with arts and environmental issues central. I'm an artist, entrepreneur, art director from Holland. Setting up my art studios, gallery , artist in residence and a food forest. among others are ceramics, textiles, silkscreen, blacksmith, welding, driftwood and Ocean plastics the studios that I already built or am building, all studios are around the art gallery under construction in the winehouse that I live in and in our farm down the sand road, where you would be staying with the other volunteers.. Monthly I receive creative forces and friends from Holland to support us wherever necessary and by so connecting artists, designers, farmers and searchers from all over the world right here in this little village of Palmela where time seems to stand still like a Fellini film. From here you catch the bus to Lisbon in 40minutes you're at Oriente station and you can take the bike or the scooter to the beach. I live with my 3 chickens(Maria Mercedes, Maria Guadalupe & Maria do céu).. And before you react remember I'm the most chaotic person you'll ever meet 😊🥴 but like I always say, you don't go to a Chinese restaurant ordering a pizza. The voyage is more important then our destination. Andre”
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Videography
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Events & social
Charity work
Plant care
Performing arts
Cooking & food
Drawing & painting
Photography
DIY & crafts
Gardening
Carpentry
Architecture
Art & design
Camping
Hiking
Cycling
Beach
Mountain
Nature
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Since 2019, our international volunteer programme has hosted over 150 people, from a diverse range of backgrounds with a wide variety of skills. The opportunity to work within this field means you can either develop your existing expertise, or pick up entirely new skills! Volunteers can quickly learn about reforestation, building, repairing and the constant maintenance that is necessary to keep a large piece of land running. With other people staying on the property and local friends visiting daily, you have the chance to meet interesting people.
Help
We are always looking for people with manual skills, who are eager and excited to enhance and deepen what they already know or learn something new which they are curious about. Be prepared to help in light maintenance which is necessary to keep the whole thing running, such as logistical tasks, cleaning, cooking, carrying stones, pruning and looking after our animals.
Please give us specific examples of your skills and experience (also those not mentioned above!) For example: You know how to weld? You know how to fix a broken chair? You have an affinity for details? You enjoy fixing tools? Recycling, upcycling, renovating are parts of your identity? You are strong and can help us to move mountains?
Don’t be shy, we love to hear it!
Anyone who is open-minded, motivated, and excited to be a part of the team can apply!
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Portuguese: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We have several rooms and campers to choose from. Even better if you're joining with your own camper van! We usually eat together and can adapt to all dietary preferences!
What else ...
surfing, hiking, climbing, bouldering, visit Lisbon and Setubal, drive 20mins to see wild flamingos, live music, markets, exhibitions, festivals, local events
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
yes, we have a stable WiFi connection
Space for parking camper vans
yes, we have space for campers/vans
Can possibly accept pets
if they don't chase our chickens :)
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (12)
All the best for your travels and see you again!
Photos
Feedback
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Cultural exchange:
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All the best for your travels and see you again!
There were a variety of projects to work on and I learned a lot about syntropic farming, water management, animal care, and… read more
The project has lots going on and it was great to learn about all that was happening and share some ideas and insights.
There are opportunities to get involved with the reforestation and construction projects.
The team were very welcoming and open.
And it… read more
