Profile information
Host rating
65 %
Last replied
4 Jan 2024
Reply rate
75.0 %
Usually responds within 6 days
Feedback
1
Email verified
Details
Description
Davina and Simon are the owners of 6 hectares of terraced land which they bought in July 2018. Building renovation, construction and permaculture have been the main activities for the past 2 years.
We have been assisted by many, many volunteers from this and other platforms, and we value the energy, curiosity and inspiration that they bring. We like to give them an opportunity to learn new skills, but also to involve themselves deeply into the lifestyle of the Quinta. Many tell us that they have learned life skills and found the place to be personally healing.
It is our intention to transform this old Portuguese farm and its terraces into a working organic farm which sustains its residents and visitors, and is the setting for a Healing Retreat Centre. We wish to share the pure air, fresh water and natural beauty with those who wish to come on formal retreats, spend their holidays here, or experience the lifestyle as volunteers.
We welcome volunteer help mostly in the maintenance of the gardens and planting on terraces around the property, building and maintenance of existing spaces, and helping to maintain the walkways in the cork forest. We also experiment with projects to optimise the spring water systems on the land.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Farmstay help
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Language practice
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The cultural exchange opportunity is mostly through our international team, people with several years of experiences around the world and a few here in Portugal - we regularly work with local artisans/builders and the small community of Monchique offers a great chance to view and live the Algarve hills lifestyle in full.
Due to the great variety of work and activities available within the property, volunteers have a chance to learn several skills by working on the land: wood work, terraces grass trimming, weeding gardens, organic building, composts, permaculture, harvesting, planting and maintaining our terraces and woodland walkways.
Help
We usually focus on the maintenance of the large terraces of our 6 hectares of land - mostly, watering gardens, strimming, collecting compost material, building and repair around the property, treating wood, maintaining irrigation systems, weeding gardens and harvesting food. Also forest maintenance, clearing, chainsaw and strimming. Our latest focus is various water management projects.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Portuguese: Beginner
Accommodation
We built a "Volunteers Village" on the east end of the property: fully functional kitchen (fridge, gas hob, cutlery, plates, pots and pans)
We provide also space for tents (or a tent if required) for spring and summer.
We provide food for volunteers, and there is an abundance of food in the larder in and the garden. Depending on the volunteer groups present, the volunteers themselves work out meal times and cooking rotas.
What else ...
We are located just 30km from the amazing coastline of the Algarve - half an hour car or bus to the beaches of the South and west coasts, plus plenty of hiking opportunities and walks in Nature - Monchique is a very small and quiet community, just 3km from our property. It has a large supermarket, post office, pharmacy as well as numerous cafes and restaurants.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
We have dogs and cats, but can only accept other people's pets if they are safe around hens, kittens.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (1)
We (My Boyfriend and I) stayed here for 2 months, Davina and Simon are amazing hosts very opened minded and they make you feel very welcome, they showed us all around the land and explained how we will work here and what this land means to them. We were able to work on our own after they give us tasks or we just looked around by… read more
Feedback
We (My Boyfriend and I) stayed here for 2 months, Davina and Simon are amazing hosts very opened minded and they make you feel very welcome, they showed us all around the land and explained how we will work here and what this land means to them. We were able to work on our own after they give us tasks or we just looked around by… read more
