Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
17 May 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
70
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Details
Description
Hi! I'm Mario, I spent 12 years working for a humanitarian aid organization in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. My son is now 7 years old and happy to help in any gardening task. We're now living in our small farm in Ponte de Lima together with a bunch of chicken, dogs, goats and cat.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpBabysitting and creative playCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I lived in 3 different continents and experienced different cultures.
I have an engineering background with computer networks and telecommunications and I like playing with sensors and microcontrollers, home automation systems, including automated chicken coops. I also have some experience in off-grid systems, construction and electricity. Every year we do different permaculture experiences and try to improve and adapt the techniques to our terrain.
We frequently hire local carpenters and other skilled workers to assist in different projects and get to learn a lot of new skills from them.
Volunteers can also learn how to bake sourdough bread, use a wood fired oven, cook on an open fire, grow vegetables and use different handtools.Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Looking for volunteers with good physical condition, able to move a loaded wheelbarrow for example.
During school holidays we also accept someone with child care experience to spend some time with my son and take care of the meals and the house.
Here are some tasks we always need help with:
- Clearing brush
- Cutting old trees and firewood
- a lot of digging and moving dirt
- Fixing stone walls
- Shopping, cooking and cleaning the house
- Taking care of the vegetable garden and feeding animals (chicken, dog, cats)
Projects for this year/ongoing
- Building a small house using wood frame structure
- building composting toilet
- building new wood shed
- Putting up fences and building stone walls
- Rebuilding an old stone dam that used to divert part of the stream to the mill
- Rebuilding water wheel and mill mechanisms (once we find someone who can actually do it)
- testing diy hydro generatorsLanguages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
German: Intermediate
French: IntermediateAccommodation
Private bedroom with two bunk beds, shared bathroom. We provide three meals if you work 5 hours a day.
What else ...
You should bring working shoes and (old) clothes.
Laundry is done once a week.
Our farm is mostly woodland and is a 4 minute drive or 30 minute walk from the historical town of Ponte de Lima where you can find many facilities, including library, big supermarkets, a lot of restaurants and cafes and a canoeing club.
You can swim in the river that runs just in front of the house (it's a clean mountain river, quite cold though). A kayak is available too.
Twice a month there is a huge open air market in Ponte de Lima.
During the summer there are music festivals in Paredes de Coura and other nearby towns.
We are 1 hour drive away from Porto. There are regular bus connections to the airport and to Viana do Castelo, Porto, Braga.
One bicycle is available for guests. On days off, we sometimes go hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, mountain biking or canyoning around the area. If you have experience (and some insurance) you are welcome to join!
High speed fiber internet is available.
We like vegetarian meals, but do eat meat or fish often and raise free range chicken for eggs.
Smoking is not allowed inside and near the house . Wine or beer is ok, but not included in the meals.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is unlimited fiber connection (200Mbps) and WiFi everywhere.
Space for parking camper vans
We can provide a nice parking spot with electricity, access to an outdoor toilet and Wi-Fi !
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
25 hours per week to help with the projects on a flexible schedule. Cleaning the spaces you use, cooking and other community activities are not part of this time.
Feedback (29)
He helped build a wood structure, fixing the access road, moving lots of dirt and gravel. Daniel is very kind and caring with all animals, his tasks included feeding the baby goats. He also kept the house and kitchen clean.
I wish Daniel a safe and fun road trip and hope he visits… read more
Mario made me feel welcome very… read more
She organized and cleaned the house extremely well, removed weeds from the garden and took care of the animals.
Blanca is very friendly and it was a pleasure hosting her.
She is strong, hard working and fun to hang out with. We had very interesting talks.
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
He helped build a wood structure, fixing the access road, moving lots of dirt and gravel. Daniel is very kind and caring with all animals, his tasks included feeding the baby goats. He also kept the house and kitchen clean.
I wish Daniel a safe and fun road trip and hope he visits… read more
Mario made me feel welcome very… read more
She organized and cleaned the house extremely well, removed weeds from the garden and took care of the animals.
Blanca is very friendly and it was a pleasure hosting her.
She is strong, hard working and fun to hang out with. We had very interesting talks.
The property is incredibly beautiful and peaceful, with the soothing sound of the river always in the background. Mario has created numerous areas with the help of… read more
She's also great with the animals, despite our rooster being a bit aggressive.
Unfortunately we were only able to go rock climbing a couple of times, Sam is an avid climber.
For two weeks Amanda helped with different gardening tasks, taking care of the house, animals, etc. She's great with kids and played a lot with my son .
Amanda is also a great rock climbing partner!
The animals are lovely (except for the rooster, but we ended up becoming friends), especially Jesse, the dog, and Sesamo, the cat. They love to play, explore and… read more
He is very kind and hard working.
Cleaning and organizing are Maria's strong points. She is also keen on making breakfasts and interacting with volunteers and guests. Maria is very honest and direct, and responsible with the tasks attributed to her.
Kailas, is a cheerful, very active and talkative young boy, always ready… read more
Mario was very welcoming for us, he even was taking care of one my urgent situation, as a superhero.
They both, Mario and Rula, cooking very tasty and rich meals, I had even learned… read more
He is also easy going and very pleasant company.
During his short stay Thomas worked on several projects, without any supervision. He did gardening, finished building stone walking path and steps, chopped firewood, helped a lot cleaning the house and preparing meals, and made sure all… read more
He is a very strong and energetic volunteer, eager to learn any task.
Edu moved dozens of wheelbarrows of dirt to prepare the vegetable garden and helped to plant several plants.
Tidiness is also a strong point, Edu kept everything clean and organized in the house.
Old watermill is very romantic place by beautifull river, quiet and surounded by nature. In winter there is little bit cold. But I just loved… read more
She took care of our kid and the animals. Hana is very experienced in gardening and prepared several garden beds for the upcoming season. She also cleaned up the greenhouse. Hana is also a great cook!
Colja is very energetic and skilled. He helped us in several projects, played a lot of Filipe and was always in a good mood.
I spent two weeks in December with Rula and Filipe and can only assume that in springtime it is mind-blowing.
I didn't get to know Mario because he was working abroad during the time of my stay but communication with him beforhand was very uncomplicated.
Rula and Filipe are both very warm-hearted, smart, funny and a… read more
Communication was sometimes a little challenging, but both are very hard workers. They also helped with cooking and babysitting.
He is highly skilled with any tool and machinery and extremely responsible.
Dominique is also very fit, he built a stone path and steps by himself, moving heavy rocks and having a beautiful and functional result.
He also build a wooden deck for our… read more
Hope to see you again next year!
Ponte de Lima is very close and a lovely town. I got lots of chances to… read more
Together with Doni we transformed a shipping container into a comfortable tiny house. We also went rock climbing a few times. Doni is… read more
Andrea is excellent at gardening and landscaping and also a good cook!
Both were very kind with our child and responsible with the daily tasks.
Hard working, responsible, great with children, extremely funny, always in a good mood, excellent cook, I can't thank Juan enough for the help and fun moments we had together. We hope you visit us again soon and wish you good luck with your trip!
Johnny helped us for several months in different projects, building, landscaping, taking care of our child, etc.
He is hard working and very respectful.
I felt part of the family there, we shared many things together. Meals, outings, games, etc.
Their little child Philippe is very good and lovable boy, I have really enjoyed spending time with him.
Also, the village "Ponte do Lima" is a very beautiful place to visit, I… read more
Mario and Rula are very attentive, generous and truly caring hosts. They were really… read more
Cidália is always looking for tasks and opportunities to improve her building and farming skills.
She is a wonderful person and is excellent with children.
Mario was happy to share his knowledge and his culture. He showed us various tasks and we could pick up the ones we preferred so there were always nice things to do from woodworking and gardening to animal care. If you need help for… read more
Mario and Rula are warm-hearted as they opened their home for me and I felt like I'm part of the Family.
Mario took us Several times to show us around, he picked me up from the airport, he is… read more
Rami is an excellent cook and a great company. He is also great with kids!
Mario and Rula were perfect hosts for me. Very welcoming, generous, funny and open minded. We had a lot of nice laughts together. I was never board with the given tasks for their diversity and I learned a lot about animal care, building different… read more
Vakare was also helping with construction works lifting and pouring heavy buckets of concrete! She is very responsible and full of… read more
Teresa and Micha are joyful and positive people, they can introduce you to yoga and meditation.
Luca is very committed and did an excellent job clearing brush… read more
He is easy going and very hard-working. Just needs hot water for his mate.
Many volunteers claim they have gardening or farming experience, but Mainque is the real deal. He is a skilled chainsaw operator and knows how to use most gardening tools and machines.
It… read more
We had a lot of fun and built several stone walls and raised garden beds. Did also some carpentry work and cleared the mill channel. On his free time… read more
Gradi is very friendly and got along extremely well with other volunteers and guests.
Marios mill and the piece of ground is really beautiful and it is totally nice to "live" there. But most important, Mario is a great host and a real kind and funny guy, who made us feel like home. We… read more
It was great to be part of this… read more
They are very respectful and kind. Kristina is a great cook.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your holidays in Portugal and hope to see you again!
Best of luck for the rest of your holidays!