Sandra,born in 1954, was trained as a teacher in Holland. In the eighties she changed her life as a teacher for auditory challenged children in Groningen for an adventure in Portugal. She started a natural health shop in Lagos which quickly grew to be a big vegetarian restaurant. After her daughter Arianne was born, she left Lagos for the countryside in 1993 where the Monte Rosa farmhouses were turned into comfortable tourism accommodation.
Her intention is to offer the opportunity to rest and recuperate on holiday, possibly combined with sportive activities, reflection or personal development. In Portugal she trained as a hypnotherapist with the British LCCH, and she is a registered member of the British Society for clinical Hypnosis. Sandra was a RP for the Findhorn Community in Scotland for 27 years. The Findhorn life style and human values have always inspired her. She is also involved in an eco project in Bahia, Brasil, called Piracanga. (www.piracanga.com)

Arianne, born in 1990, is Sandra’s daughter. She has lived at Monte Rosa since she was 3 years old. She studies psychology in Holland and works as a host at Monte Rosa during the summer time. She speaks both Dutch, English and Portuguese fluently.

Her greatest hobby is surfing the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. She can help you choose between the variety of excursions offered at Monte Rosa, but she specifically likes booking you a surfing lesson or even a complete surfing holiday of several days.

After a beautiful career in education, Theo (1948) has been working at Monte Rosa since mid June as an all-round assistant. He is Sandra’s partner.

Theo is a warm and interesting personality whom you could meet as a host, cook or handyman. Theo and Sandra have recently met each other again after being colleagues in education 35 years ago.

Paulo (1971) was born in Leiria, in northern Portugal. He has a Portuguese father and a mother from Angola. In Lisbon, he studied to become an analytical chemist and worked in this field for about 4 years. In 2009 he moved to live in the Algarve. Since 2010 he has worked as a volunteer at Monte Rosa, and he now has a regular job as a receptionist.

He is a very kind allround handyman. Also at breakfast and dinner you will see Paulo assisting.

CHICO (1980) is a general handyman who started working at Monte Rosa in 2008. He also picks you up from and brings you to the airport if needed and is responsible for the Monte Rosa BBQ. Married and father of two twin boys aged 12, Chico lives at a farm in Pereira with his pigs, dogs, chickens, dogs, and rabbits.

Always happy, singing and helpful, Chico is a lovely guy to have around. His English is improving day by day as he is actively trying to learn to speak the language.

OLIMPIA (1958), from Italy, was a chef cook in the Monte Rosa restaurant in 2006. At the end of the season she was given the chance to take over the restaurant of Dona Isabel in Barao de St. Joao. She renovated and redesigned this cozy little place and created a beautiful garden terrace with a small turtle pond. The famous dish of Frango Piri Piri (spicy chicken) is still available, but you can also enjoy her lovely Italian and international dishes and vegetarian menu. In winter time, when no dinner is served at Monte Rosa, Restaurante ¨O Beiral¨ is the first place we recommend in the nearby village. If you don’t have proper transportation, Olimpia will bring you back to Monte Rosa for the price of 2 euros. She and Sandra have always remained friendly and still have a good working relationship.

You will be working for 30 hours in exchange for food and simple lodgings. As a volunteer we expect you to be in good physical and mental shape. We welcome an open, respectful and flexible attitude with some ecological awareness.