Volunteering & Co-living - Summer 2026

This season at Mata House was all about hard work, deep connection, and beautiful energy! 

What we got up to:

• Community & Co-living: Welcomed volunteers and guests from more than 10 different countries. We even hosted a Belgian scout group for a work-exchange and had a guest host her own self-guided retreat.
• Caring for the house: Varnished doors and shutters, painted the studio walls and balcony floor, fixed the pool, built shelves, strimmed the land for Portugal’s fire season, and much more…
• Nourishing mind & body: Shared meditation, Qi-Gong, Yoga, Gurdjieff sacred dance, sharing circles, Ho’oponopono, and a cozy Turkish tea ceremony.
• Fun & Adventures: Cooked together, swam in the river, danced at ecstatic dance, explored the Óbidos medieval festival, camped on the beach, and finally tasted our home-cured olives from last fall’s harvest!
• A special finale: To wrap up the season, we hosted a meaningful retreat featuring Gurdjieff sacred dances, movement improvisation, and various somatic practices.

Seeing so many past volunteers return made this season truly unforgettable. Our Mata House family just keeps growing! 
Get a glimpse of our beautiful community moments in the photos below.
Want to join us for the next one? Visit Volunteer / Co-Living / Events for more info & Join our WhatsApp community.