Update: The selection process for 2026 is open! You can find more information about this opportunity here (high resolution; Google Drive) and apply here.
Since 2022, Bosque Escola Avelãs has welcomed European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers. Read about their perspectives, discover their favourite moments, and understand the challenges they faced. These stories show how the volunteers grow personally and professionally and the positive impact they have on the local community.
Marie (Germany)
Marie joined Bosque Escola Avelãs with a passion for creative learning and a strong appreciation for nature-based education. Throughout her volunteering experience, she particularly enjoyed the wide variety of arts and crafts activities with the children, especially those using natural materials. She also loved the monthly hikes and outdoor activities, recognising how movement and time in nature helped children express themselves, build confidence and enjoy learning. Another highlight was leading her own cooking project, where she encouraged children to develop new skills and take an active role in preparing food.
As Marie reflected, “Giving the children agency in their nutrition and learning new cooking skills brought them so much joy. Even if it was messy and chaotic at times, the outcomes were always worth it.”
One of her most memorable moments happened on her very first day, when the children welcomed her with a handmade gift box and sang a song in German. Before leaving the project, they surprised her again with a book of poems they had written, a gesture that deeply moved her and reminded her of the meaningful connections she had built during her time at the school.
The greatest challenge for Marie was overcoming the language barrier. Arriving with no previous knowledge of Portuguese or other Romance languages, she initially found it difficult to communicate with some of the children and to follow conversations in social settings. However, through daily immersion and persistence, she gradually became more confident and was able to understand much more of the language by the end of her stay.
Looking back, Marie feels that the experience taught her the importance of reconnecting with her inner child. “Life shouldn’t be taken too seriously,” she reflects. “Being playful, curious and silly can be incredibly healing and freeing.” This lesson, together with the relationships she built and the experiences she shared, became one of the most valuable outcomes of her volunteering journey.
Martina (Italy)
Martina embraced every aspect of her volunteering experience at Bosque Escola Avelãs, enjoying everything from helping in the kitchen to supporting the children in their daily activities. Spending nine months alongside the children and the community became a deeply meaningful experience, one that filled her with gratitude and left her with memories she knows she will carry for the rest of her life.
One of her most memorable moments was a simple yet joyful afternoon rolling down a grassy hill with the children. Laughing together, she felt like a child again and was reminded that some of life’s most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones. As she reflects, “Sometimes these small moments are simple but important because they remind you to just enjoy the moment and have fun with what you have.”
The greatest challenge for Martina was adapting to the rainy season, spending every day outdoors regardless of the weather. Although it tested her resilience and comfort zone, it also helped her better understand herself and recognise her own limits.
Looking back on her experience, Martina says she is taking home many valuable lessons. Above all, she learned not to be afraid of being herself and expressing her truth, to reconnect with nature as a place of belonging, and to appreciate the importance of living in community. As she puts it, “Having a community is essential. It makes life easier and more beautiful.”
Chiara C. (Italy)
Chiara chose this project for the opportunity to combine her passion for arts, culture and community work in an environment of learning and exchange. Drawing on her experience in theatre, cinema, cultural event organisation and social initiatives, she contributed to the project’s creative dimension by supporting artistic activities, documenting initiatives, collaborating with artists and helping to strengthen community life. Her previous experience working with children and young people, as well as her involvement in cultural associations, enabled her to actively participate in the cooperative’s wide range of activities.
One of the most memorable experiences for Chiara was taking part in the organisation of the Bolina Festival. During this time, she had the opportunity to work closely with the visiting clowns, discovering new forms of artistic expression and gaining insight into the world of clowning. Another particularly meaningful aspect of her experience was spending time with the elderly members of the community, sharing activities, listening to their stories and learning from their life experiences. These moments enriched her personal journey and strengthened her sense of belonging within the community.
The greatest challenge for Chiara was adapting to a rural environment, where there were few people of her own age. Despite this initial difficulty, she found meaningful ways to connect with the local community and came to appreciate the slower pace of life offered by the natural surroundings.
Overall, this experience helped Chiara develop a greater ability to embrace the natural flow of life and to live more fully in the present moment. She learned to connect more deeply with nature, appreciate the small joys of everyday life, and recognise the value of human relationships built through sharing and community living.
Eleni (Greece)
With a background in Environmental Sciences, Eleni joined Bosque Escola Avelãs motivated by a strong interest in nature-based education and alternative pedagogies. At the age of 24, she brought with her experience gained in eco-communities, farms and social volunteering projects, as well as a genuine desire to learn and contribute to an educational community in a rural setting.
Throughout the project, she became actively involved in activities with the children and in the daily life of the school, finding ways to integrate her interests in gardening, music, cooking and crafts into the community environment. Her previous experience as a babysitter further strengthened her curiosity about Forest School approaches, giving her the opportunity to observe and take part in this educational model first-hand.
Having lived in Italy and travelled across several European countries, Eleni adapted easily to the Portuguese context, also benefiting from her knowledge of Spanish and Italian. Her experience at Bosque Escola Avelãs strengthened her interest in nature-based education and reinforced the importance of learning through community, creativity and a close connection with the natural environment.
Ilaria (Italy)
In 2024, Bosque Escola Avelãs welcomed Ilaria, a 23-year-old volunteer from Italy, for a volunteering project. Motivated by her interest in education, social support and the personal development of children and young people, she chose to join BEA to contribute to the well-being of the local community while continuing her own personal and professional growth.
With an empathetic, patient and responsible approach, Ilaria took part in the school’s daily activities, supporting the educational team and helping to organise recreational and educational activities that encouraged children’s creativity and active participation.
Throughout her experience, Ilaria had the opportunity to deepen her understanding of community-based education while developing her communication, cooperation and adaptability skills. The project also reinforced the importance of empathy and teamwork, allowing her to grow both personally and professionally. She left the experience with new knowledge, valuable memories and greater confidence in working with children and young people.
Belén (Spain)
Belén chose this project for its unique integration of arts, social work, alternative pedagogical methods, and nature. She brought her skills as an illustrator to the project, using her talents to promote various initiatives. She also organized activities for children related to arts, music, and capoeira. Her primary responsibilities included maintaining and beautifying the land, organizing activities for the forest school children, helping in the garden, cooking at the social cantina, and assisting Maria D’Alegria in organizing events, festivals, and visits.
“The people around are very interesting and nice, you find people from all over the world and different backgrounds.”
One of Belén’s most memorable experiences was the camaraderie with her fellow volunteers. They enjoyed sunny days bathing in the tank, learning to play the Adufe in Monsanto, organizing games with the children, attending concerts and activities, and planning dinners and trips together. These shared experiences created lasting memories and a strong sense of community, making her time at Descalças Cooperativa Integral truly special.
But Belén also faced challenges, such as the feeling of isolation and a wish for more local activities and opportunities to meet locals and practise the Portuguese language. Miscommunications within the project occasionally created discomfort, but these were resolved through honest and open dialogue.
Overall, this experience helped Belén set boundaries, build resilience, and adapt to changes. She also learned new approaches to working with children, the elderly, and people with special needs.
Irini (Greece)
In 2023, Bosque Escola Avelãs welcomed Irini for a nine-month volunteer project. Irini engaged in a variety of activities, including leading music sessions, helping the children write about the plants on the school’s farm, conducting science experiments, and organizing outdoor games. It was incredible for her to see the kids’ excitement and curiosity grow with each new activity. In addition to working with the Maxis, she also assisted in the kitchen and tended to the vegetable garden.
From day one, Irini felt a strong connection to the BEA maxi group and their supportive teacher, who encouraged her to take initiatives and try new ideas. Working closely with the teacher, they developed a professional bond that turned into a friendship, making Irini feel confident and valued.
“The skills and memories I gained from my time at the forest school will always be with me.“
Despite these positive experiences, Irini faced challenges. The school’s isolated location made transportation difficult without a car, and she sometimes felt lonely despite participating in many local cultural events. She missed being around people her age and interacting with diverse social groups beyond the school families.
Overall, Irini’s experience at Bosque Escola Avelãs was positive. She learned about resilience and the importance of community, and the skills and memories she gained will always stay with her.
“If you’re thinking about volunteering here, I highly recommend it. Be ready for some isolation, but also be prepared for a lot of warmth, creativity, and learning. With an open heart and a willingness to get involved, you’ll find this experience truly rewarding.“
Chiara (Italy)
“I really enjoyed spending time with the children, observing their funny behaviour and listening to their needs.“
In 2023, Bosque Escola Avelãs welcomed Chiara, a 23-year-old educator from Italy, for a project lasting four and a half months.
Chiara chose to volunteer at this forest school because of her deep interest in this type of education and her desire to put into practice what she had learned during her studies. Her responsibilities included helping and supervising the children, facilitating the work of the tutors, and leading various activities.
During her time at the school, Chiara learned a great deal about forest education. With the help of her tutors, she developed skills in non-violent communication and active listening to better understand and respond to the children’s needs.
Chiara also faced challenges during her project. The lack of transportation and not knowing Portuguese made it difficult for her to fully engage with the local culture and communicate with the children, leading to occasional feelings of isolation. However, she found strength in the support and camaraderie of her fellow volunteers. Despite these difficulties, Chiara’s experience was very rewarding.
In 2022 Descalças Cooperativa Integral received its first European Solidarity Corps volunteer and now the organization is hosting three volunteers. They participate in pedagogical activities as well as in partner projects (Maria d’Alegria, Férias na Quinta, Cantina Social, among others), developing their interests and learning in the areas of forestschool, nature regeneration, sustainability, food and culture.
Francesca (Italy)
Italian Frenju was the first volunteer to arrive in March 2022. She jokingly describes herself as the guardian of the farm. She maintains Terra d´Amor by gardening, building and painting. She also follows Maria Simões (Maria d’Alegria) to her shows as a technician and a scenographer. From time to time Frenju works with the children of the BEA.
Being a volunteer for me is to have the volition to change things for the better, help and leave a sign, Frenju says.
The strong will to change the world also brings challenges. Frenju feels that during the year as a volunteer she has understood that she is a strong person and that challenges are part of life.
Paiju describes: Francesca is the most efficient person I know. I would need years to complete the things she can get done in one. She will always have time to help you and in the meantime you will laugh so much that your stomach hurts. I honestly did not think I could call someone one of my best friends after half a year.
Paiju (Finland)
In September 2022, Paiju (a Finnish volunteer) joined the project. Most of her work is related to the BEA Mini. She assists the educators and plans activities for the children. She also helps to take care of the needs of the Mini, whether it is with the maintenance of the cabin or making hand-crafted toys.
My culture is quite different from the Portuguese one and it is the best and the hardest part of being here, she says.
According to her, the new environment offers a great opportunity to learn but in the challenging moments, it is difficult to find familiar, comforting things. In those moments it is important to have people around you: “I feel that the community gives me space to grow and learn and offers support when I need it.”
Zoё describes: Paiju is a great part of the family of the Quinta, she brings fun, creativity and a joyful and caring energy with her. Her musical talents are a great addition for us at the farm, and we are blessed to regularly hear her angelic voice and Finnish harp at events. She’s socially engaged and interested with a vision for what living together well means, but is also dynamic and open and excited by new experiences.
Zoё (Denmark)
Zoё joined the project recently in January 2023. She participates in the lessons of the BEA Maxi and accompanies the group from the morning until the end. She also plans and implements activities:
“There is a lot of space for ideas and to create things”, Zoё says.
Planning activities is an opportunity for her to learn to be more confident in taking the initiative. Zoё describes volunteering followingly: “It is fun to be a volunteer here. In comparison to other places I have volunteered, it feels very much like you´re an integrated part of the project. You are a part of a community and they are kind of a family where people care about each other and think about you.” She thinks that the challenges she faces create space for learning: “It can be a bit challenging with the language especially but it is also one of the best ways to learn. You get kind of thrown into the deep end and hopefully you develop that skill”
Francesca describes: Zoё is nice and she is a good worker. I think she really believes in this project so she puts a lot of effort into this project and the children, and everyone in this world. She is a safe person so you can be yourself with her.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of Agência Nacional Erasmus+ Juventude/Desporto e Corpo Europeu de Solidariedade. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.