2 weeks minimum to 4 months maximum (from 1 June till 30 September 2011).
THEME:
Ecological construction and farm activities.
LOCATION:
Nemus farm is situated in Loriga, Seia, in the centre of Portugal. Website - http://quintanemus.blogspot.com
AIMS OF THE PROJECT:
Help to rebuild an old farm and to turn it ecologic and sustainable.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
To help and learn how to rebuild an old local stone house with ecological techniques and dry compost toilet, using natural and local materials such as clay, stone, wood, sand and others. To help and learn how to build an ecological round house made in cordwood with a green roof. This house will be a space for local children to learn arts.
VOLUNTEER TASKS:
Eco-building of different constructions such as local house, cordwood round house and dry toilet with stone, wood, clay, sand and other materials; feed and clean the animals; pick fruit and herbs; take care of the trees, garden and other farm tasks. Work starts in the morning and finishes at 6.30-5pm with 2 hours break for lunch. Sunday (whole day) and Wednesday afternoons are free.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT:
The Nemus farm is located near a beautiful old roman small village, inserted in a glacier valley, with wonderful rivers, waterfalls and clear waters lagoons - great places to swim in the summer. The vegetation is very rich and one can find different animal species. The mountain has many beautiful footpaths. In the summer it is almost always sunny here. There are lovely people and excellent local food.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:
It is important that volunteers joining this project are aware that they are coming to work and not to be tourists. Volunteers should also be open to adhere to the routines set by the farm's inhabitants and ready to respect the timetables and the tasks distributed to them.
Other important requirements...
Bring sleeping bag, tent and flashlight. Speak at least basic English. Good physical ability. Only bring ecological hygiene products. Enjoy and protect nature. Like manual work. Feel comfortable with hot temperatures in summer. Be able to live without luxuries (it's an old farm).
AGE:
20+
LEISURE:
We have social evenings where people are welcome to play music, cook delicious good food and dance. We bath in the farm river, we enjoy the warm sun, we walk in the mountain and we love to have fun in the nature! Sometimes we have small events mainly to receive friends from the surrounding farms and city people who want to come and see the ecological country life.
We provided weekly workshops in a variety of areas, including:- Bread-making - Portuguese typical dishes - How to hand spin wool - Cheese making with old farmers - Mountain herbs and its usage, etc.
ACCOMMODATION:
The volunteers will sleep in tents or in a small stone house. Bring sleeping bag, tent and flashlight. We have an outdoor dry compost toilet and warm shower (water heated by the sun). In the summer you have different water places to bath. Bring only eco-hygiene products. All meals (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) are prepared by the farmers. All meals are prepared with organic and local products. Mostly vegetarian.
HOSTING FEES:
We require fee of 40 Euros per week to cover food expenses.
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
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