Help only 12-15 hours per week in exchange for hospitality

Caravan work exchange in Portugal – Picturesque rural area close to river beaches, mountains, and national park. Fundao town is 6 miles (10 km) away, with traditional villages closer. I could pick you up by car from Fundao, initially. Buses run from the nearby villages but not very frequently.

Caravan accommodation is available on 2 hectares of organic land, with access to electricity, borehole water, internet, shower, and washing machine. There’s a camping toilet but I would like to make a compost toilet. I do also have a flush toilet in the house.

About the exchange

Work exchange of 15 hours per week for accommodation and use of utilities, (meals NOT included). The rest of the time you’re free to do what you like. (If you have your own live-in vehicle then 12 hours would be enough).
Help is needed with all aspects of land maintenance, vegetable growing, tree pruning/planting, olives/fruit/nut harvesting/preserving, fence/gate mending/constructing, weeding, strimming, cutting wood etc.
Basic construction is needed such as building a shaded area and composting toilets. DIY skills would be useful as I am converting a barn also. So there are inside jobs for when it’s too hot to work outside on the land.

I have 2 dogs (rescued) and a cat. No farm animals yet

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What type of host are you?

• Private/Individual/family

What are you looking for help with?

• Building
• Cleaning
• Farming/Gardening
• General Help

What’s the mission of your community?

This is organic farmland in unspoilt countryside, which I’d like to maintain in harmony with nature. There’s a natural water supply and native trees, I also have bees and only use eco-safe products. Ideally, I’d like to become more self-sufficient eg I’d prefer solar electricity but am currently on mains. I may in future have chickens and grass-eating animals, but have not yet.

It’s not a community at the moment, but I could be open to that on a small scale with the right people.

How many volunteers could you host?

• A couple of volunteers

When would you need volunteers?

Any time of year

How many hours of help per day?

Others (please write in the general info section).

Note about the volunteer work and other expectations

So long as you work the required number of hours (12-15 per week) it can be done at any time and however you like. There will usually be a choice of tasks needed. Some times of year something like olive picking will take priority.

Are accommodation and food included?

We can offer only accommodation

What type of accommodation can you provide?

Others (please, specify in general info)

Diet – nutrition information

You need to provide your own food. I am vegetarian, but you don’t have to be. There are cooking facilities in the caravan. I also have a solar oven which you could sometimes use.

Fees transparency

This is a work exchange. No money is involved so long as you fulfil your obligation of 15 hours per week (12 hours in some circumstances).

However, there is an optional use of a car which would have a daily fee to cover maintenance costs.

VISA – could you provide Visa support/info/invitation letters?

Maybe. We can help with an invitation letter if the candidate has good qualifications.

Volunteers’ benefits:

A base to explore Portuguese countryside and historic places and quaint villages, and practise language skills with locals. There are sometimes festivals or workshops nearby and eco-communities in the general area, including one using permaculture principles and another living in accordance with Krishna’s teachings.

I have a friend who does walking tours of street art and building murals in a nearby town.

What to do in your free time

• Many places to walk or cycle.
• River beaches and mountains.
• Cafes and Bars.
• Parks, swimming pools, markets, restaurants, and traditional village festivals at certain times.
• Yoga/pilates classes

Language

English. Am learning Portuguese very slowly.

Geography

Hot and dry in summer. Can get cold and wet in winter but often sunny days and chilly evenings.

How to get to your site

• 3-hour train journey from Lisbon (airport)
• 1-hour drive from the Spanish border.
• Buses and trains to Fundao
• I can pick you up from Fundao (or the local bus to a nearby village, but not frequent)
• Easy access to own live-in vehicle

Is there internet access?

Yes!

CONTACT DETAILS 🔍📧

E-mail: sarahleone@zoho.com
Whatsapp and phone numbers is given after initial contact.
Hostname: Sarah

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