The image depicts a partially constructed building with a unique, curved design, featuring a brown exterior and a roof frame, set against a scenic backdrop of rolling hills and mountains.
A person is building a wall with mud and straw, likely for a sustainable construction project, using natural materials to create a strong and eco-friendly structure. The wall is being built outdoors.
A person is sitting in a hammock, surrounded by trees and greenery, with a body of water in the background, enjoying a peaceful outdoor setting on a sunny day.
The image depicts a serene scene of a woman standing in front of a body of water, with a small island or peninsula in the background, surrounded by lush greenery and a clear blue sky.
The image depicts a group of people gathered around a table, with some individuals seated and others standing, all engaged in a lively discussion or activity. The scene appears to be a social gathering or event.
The image depicts a room with a table and chairs, featuring a large window and a doorway, with a wall in the background, and a floor with a pattern. The room is empty and lacks any objects or furniture.
The image depicts a bathroom with a toilet and sink, featuring white walls and a white ceiling, with a window on the left side and a door on the right.
The image depicts a group of five people gathered around a table on a porch, enjoying a meal together in a serene outdoor setting.
Three individuals are constructing a building, likely a house, using materials such as wood and metal, with a focus on the foundation and walls, as seen in the image of a building under construction.
The image shows a group of people working on a construction site, with a large pit and a pile of materials in the background, likely for a building or infrastructure project.
The image depicts a construction site with a foundation and walls of a building, featuring a dirt floor and a pile of lumber, surrounded by a grassy area with trees in the background.
The image depicts three men constructing a circular structure using mud, with a cloudy sky and distant hills in the background, amidst scattered buckets and tarps.
The image shows five people posing for a selfie on a rock in a river, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
The image shows three people working under a canopy, with one person taking a selfie, surrounded by wheelbarrows and shovels, in a sandy area with trees in the background.
The image shows five people standing under a yellow canopy, holding shovels and brooms, with a tent and a mountainous landscape in the background.

Help with bioconstruction and micro-algae, spirulina farming in São Luiz do Paraitinga, Brazil

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    5 Apr 2025

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    90.9 %

    Usually responds within 21 days

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    19

  • Email verified

    Email verified

Badges (3)

Email verified
Top Host
Give the gift of Workaway
read more

Find your perfect host

View the full host list

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hello! I'm Florent from Belgium, and I've been living mostly in Brazil for the past 7 years. I share my life with my partner, Irini, who is Greek and joined me in Brazil almost a year ago. After earning a master's degree in biology and a PhD in sustainable aquaculture, I am now building the infrastructure to produce spirulina, an edible microalga considered a superfood due to its numerous health benefits. Irini is a psychologist and attends online for the moment.

    We live close to the small city of São Luis do Paraitinga, about a 40-minute walk or less than a 10-minute drive away. Our home is perched on top of a hill, offering breathtaking views of grasslands and forests that stretch as far as the eye can see! We built our house (with the help of many wonderful workaway travelers!) using bioconstruction techniques, particularly the hyperadobe method, which involves filling bags with clay soil and using them as walls.

    In addition to the spirulina farm and bioconstruction projects, we are working on growing our own vegetable garden and planting native trees to reforest parts of the land that have been degraded by decades of pasture.

    São Luiz do Paraitinga is a small, historic, and touristic city with well-preserved colonial-style architecture, frequent cultural events, and essential amenities such as supermarkets, retail stores, a hospital, bars, and restaurants. It is located 2 hours from São Paulo and 1 hour from the coast of Ubatuba, where you can find beautiful tropical beaches.

    We are looking forward to welcoming you to work on our projects and share good times together! :)

    Flo & Irini

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    Icon

    ...

    ...

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    While it's important for us to have some alone time, we see the workaway experience as a chance to share moments with the people we host. When we have time, we love showing you around the city and the region, and immersing you in our daily life.

    Moreover, São Luiz do Paraitinga is a historic city with frequent cultural events, home to many musicians and welcoming people, making it a great place for cultural exchanges.

  • Help

    Help

    There is always something to do on our little piece of land! Depending on the time of year and the needs of our various projects, we may need help with planting trees, taking care of the garden, building infrastructure for the spirulina farm, bioconstruction projects, or general DIY construction work. And cooking sometimes, if you are up for it !

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    French: Fluent
    Portuguese: Fluent
    English: Intermediate

    This host offers a language exchange
    Irini also speaks greek and spanish !

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We are building a second house, where two bedrooms and one functional bathroom are ready to host volunteers. While there isn’t a kitchen or a furnished living room yet, you are welcome to use ours in the main house.
    There is also plenty of space for tents and vans!

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    10minutes by car: São Luiz do Paraitinga, there are some sport activity as biking, horse riding or rafting.
    1h by car: Ubatuba, there are plenty of beaches with good spot to surf, waterfalls, a lot of bars to dance forró.
    2h20 by car: São Paulo, rich in cultural activities, nightlife.

    They are plenty of buses or carpooling like "Blablacar" to get around (~3 euros for Ubatuba and ~6 euros for São Paulo). Moreover, as we go sometimes to Ubatuba or São Paulo, you may enjoy a ride with us !

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 413569528821

Website Safety

Feedback (13)

View all 13 feedbacks

Photos

A person is building a wall with mud and straw, likely for a sustainable construction project, using natural materials to create a strong and eco-friendly structure. The wall is being built outdoors.
A person is sitting in a hammock, surrounded by trees and greenery, with a body of water in the background, enjoying a peaceful outdoor setting on a sunny day.
The image depicts a serene scene of a woman standing in front of a body of water, with a small island or peninsula in the background, surrounded by lush greenery and a clear blue sky.
The image depicts a group of people gathered around a table, with some individuals seated and others standing, all engaged in a lively discussion or activity. The scene appears to be a social gathering or event.
The image depicts a room with a table and chairs, featuring a large window and a doorway, with a wall in the background, and a floor with a pattern. The room is empty and lacks any objects or furniture.
The image depicts a bathroom with a toilet and sink, featuring white walls and a white ceiling, with a window on the left side and a door on the right.
The image depicts a group of five people gathered around a table on a porch, enjoying a meal together in a serene outdoor setting.
Three individuals are constructing a building, likely a house, using materials such as wood and metal, with a focus on the foundation and walls, as seen in the image of a building under construction.
The image shows a group of people working on a construction site, with a large pit and a pile of materials in the background, likely for a building or infrastructure project.
The image depicts a construction site with a foundation and walls of a building, featuring a dirt floor and a pile of lumber, surrounded by a grassy area with trees in the background.
The image depicts three men constructing a circular structure using mud, with a cloudy sky and distant hills in the background, amidst scattered buckets and tarps.
The image shows five people posing for a selfie on a rock in a river, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
The image shows three people working under a canopy, with one person taking a selfie, surrounded by wheelbarrows and shovels, in a sandy area with trees in the background.
The image shows five people standing under a yellow canopy, holding shovels and brooms, with a tent and a mountainous landscape in the background.

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)

Cultural exchange:
(4.9)

Communication:
(4.9)

Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in BrazilHomestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in South AmericaIndividual BrazilSustainable project BrazilLast minute Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Brazil
Help keep my mum company and explore this charming small town of Ilhota, south of Brazil
Give us a hand while you connect with nature in Taquara RS, Brazil

Your next adventure begins today

Join the Workaway community today to unlock unique travel experiences with over 50,000 opportunities around the globe.

Join Now