projects
On your own and with each other
The Shakespeare Project
"Our destiny does not depend on the stars, but on our actions."
(William Shakespeare)
11 hectares of land.
The Vale Frango should become a green oasis again.
Land purchase as a last resort
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A rethink must take place. We must buy land for nature and not for man and economy because this is the last resort for the preservation or reconstruction and settlement of rare species or special ecosystems. Since it was founded in 2022, our association, which operates under the same name, has set itself the goal of securing the ValeFrango for nature. So we hope for your support. Eucalyptus has become an obvious mass problem in Portugal.
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Eucalyptus trees are on fire
Eucalyptus trees grow unusually fast and are also helpful in draining swampy areas. But they also have side effects. For example, when a country is already far too dry. Their thirst and rapid growth leave little room for other plant species.
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The leaves are inedible to animal species outside of Australia. And when there is a forest fire, eucalyptus trees burn brightly.
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In Portugal, too, the eucalyptus was initially only able to conquer a niche existence. But that changed when António Salazar came to power and set up the authoritarian Estado Novo – the Portuguese version of fascism – in the early 1930s .
Salazar came into the government as Treasury Secretary, and for him rigid control of state finances became the key to power.
Eucalyptus was an obvious option. Eucalyptus has always been the favorite tree of those who see the world primarily in terms of numbers and growth rates. A fast-growing tree promised quick profit. Added to this was the dictator's interest in a self-sufficient supply of raw materials. The paper industry became the most important buyer of the wood. ( Read the whole article/ Source: FOCUS Online expert Frank Uekötter )
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What does that tell us at ValeFrango, the Portuguese nature has been repressed and desecrated for 90 years now. Help us bring a piece of nature back to the Alentejo.
in cooperation with :
https://vanjabudde.de/die-gruene-geissel-portugals-eukalyptus-monokulturen-befeuern-die-waldbraende/
For the current occasion
"Plans to protect the air and the water, the wilderness and nature, are also plans to protect man."
Senior Project Monte Frango
(Stewart Udall)
barber
A mobile hairdresser comes by twice a week
to eat and drink
On request, you can get freshly prepared lunch made from the best ingredients from our own garden
art and design
Workshops (work in progress)
shopping
We are happy to drive for you or accompany you to the shopping.
movement and dance
yoga class
(in progress)
trips
Tours to Lisbon or Porto with Vale Frango Bus.
The Swan Task
"The greatest danger to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it."
(Robert Swan)
The low rainfall of last winter could not fill up the reservoir. The lake is empty and leaking. This large water reservoir, which should store more than 3000m2 of water, is the buffer for the irrigation systems, which should raise the groundwater level on the entire site and allow planting on the dry areas.
The planting of fallow land, first with pioneer plants covering the ground and gradually with bushes and trees, is one of the most important tasks in restoring the destroyed water balance of the entire site.
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In the planned system, the overflow extends halfway up the dry slopes and increasingly supplies them with moisture.
Many years ago, the lake was laid out in a less than professional manner and a later attempt to seal off the water vein that was cut through failed due to the insufficient amount of clay introduced.
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Because the lake was dug out of the slate slope, the water seeps away within a few weeks, even after the heavy rains of winter.
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The sealing is done with natural materials through layers of clay that are reinforced and secured with bentonite (a strongly swelling, sealing type of clay).
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The slope as well as the dam and the bottom area are sealed with a layer of clay about 50 cm thick until the later water level, which is visibly staked out here.
The dam was built one meter higher than necessary and will be reduced by this height. However, terraces are filled up just below the water surface to create shallow water zones. Two islands are to be created in order to further divide the lake into deep and shallow water zones, which will increase the self-cleaning power of the lake.
Terraces are also laid out below the water surface on the slope side. Further terraces above the water level will make the largely bare slope fertile and, when it rains, will absorb water to infiltrate it into the ground. The resulting rising groundwater levels will also refill the well.
When it rains heavily, significantly more water falls on the entire site than the ground can currently absorb. The lake then overflows and the excess water drains down the valley, flooding the home gardens in the village. In summer, on the other hand, everything below the always thirsty eucalyptus plantation dries up.
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The newly created overflow of the reservoir flows into a terrace, which extends to the end of the Vale Owinho at the same level as the water level and fills a water retention basin there as long as the lake overflows. From there, on the same level, a terrace extends to Vale Rodrigo to fill up the soil there as well. These terraces are not watertight canals and are not sloped. However, they are filled with humus, mulch, waste wood and compost in order to be able to absorb, store and transport moisture. The process will take some time even after the terraces are laid and will be aided by rainfall and more terraces and svales.
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The work to be carried out
Measure, mark levels.
Obtain 20t of bentonite as a sealing layer, bring in, distribute evenly, rake in.
Build islands out of wire baskets filled with stones and rocks, earth or sand as a top layer
Install a pump system from the valley via the emergency drain to the lake.
Terraces for flat zones, hills and dam crest, push with bulldozer.
Bring in 30cm (1000t, 540m3, 35 articulated lorries) of locally procured clay as compaction and basis, distribute and compact with excavator and bulldozer on the lake bed over the slopes and flat zones up to the later water level.
Construct flat zones along the road from wire baskets and rocks filled with stones and backfill with excavated material.
Shaping and solidifying the bottom of the lake with a bulldozer.
Bring in 30cm (1000t, 540m3, 35 articulated lorries) of locally procured clay as a top layer, distribute and roll down, moistening at the same time.
Form the outlet with a bulldozer and excavator and concrete the outlet from the lake to over the street.
Little people projects
"If many small people do many small things in many small places, the face of our earth will change."
(African proverb)
KiD's Work
Schooling
Kids, Family & Friends
Always Tuesdays and Fridays
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Vale Frango.
Child care, time together, exercise, games, adventure, good humor and food.
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Thanks to your support, there are no costs for children.
Families and friends are welcome to come along on these days to be there.
Food and drinks are available on site (free for children).
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Our gates are open until 8 p.m. (childcare ends at 4 p.m.).
"I've learned that you're never too small to make a difference."
(Greta Thunberg)
But the most important thing... we give the children our attention and love. Donate so that our project becomes part of a wonderful reality.
Ecological Kindergarten
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Our intention is to accompany children from 2-5 years of age in our fairytale, unconventional kindergarten. The child should not adapt to the environment. But we should adapt the environment to the child, said Montessori. Small groups are planned, which we will support in their development and needs.
We value each child for their uniqueness.
We take the children seriously in their actions and statements.
We promote independence and strengths.
We support children's self-confidence so that they discover their abilities and limits.
Inspired by :
Miracles belong to children
because children can see things with different eyes.
Children have incredible potential. They never cease to amaze us.
Miraculix wants to help develop this potential.
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​ Whether the children become bakers, go into research, into nursing or into computer science; whether they realize themselves as artists, in the mail or in management; Whether in politics, business, education, self-employment or living alternatively - their experience in the Miraculix will remain a groundbreaking star for them because our children are on an eternal journey of adventure.
Allow us to open a hub in the form of a geodome for the Bravegenerationacademy in Vale Frango.
BGA offers structured hybrid programs (online + offline) based on the British International Curriculum for learners aged 12 and over. Especially for the older students there is a lack of alternative offers in the Alentejo. The brave generation Academy is already successfully represented with various hubs in the Algarve.
Learn more about the academic basis of the lower secondary school curricula, IGCSEs, Baccalaureate and the intent of the hubs here.
"Whoever plants a tree knowing that he will never sit in its shade has at least begun to understand the meaning of life."
(Rabindranath Tagore)
In order to be able to continue to accompany and support our Miraculix children, we have decided to found the "School of Spirit Bird" with the help of the BFAS eV (Federal Association of Free Alternative Schools) .
This includes primary school age
(6-11 years). All our beliefs and principles are further deepened and implemented. In order to bring this incredible project to life, we also need your help here. Whether outdoor play equipment, school materials, books, seating furniture and everything that goes with a fun (not) everyday school life is gratefully accepted and needed at the SOSB. Whether donations in kind, donations of working hours or donations of money. Thank you very much for wanting to make this world a better one and supporting us.
Donate a tree for the School of Spirit Bird in Vale Frango
The Butler Project
"All animals know, except man, that the highest goal in life is happiness."
(Samuel Butler)
In Portugal, livestock and domestic animals also face a very sad reality. Cats, dogs and other pets are abandoned by their owners and live on the streets where they breed, only increasing the problem of stray animal abundance.
(Rabindranath Tagore)
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The government can only offer limited housing or adoption for these animals, so at best they are captured and euthanized, at worst they starve or are shot. Plastic bags with poisoned puppies are not uncommon on the dumpsters.
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Larger domesticated animals such as horses, goats or donkeys are sometimes mistreated and neglected by their owners and live in degrading conditions.
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We at ValeFrango have decided to give these animals a new home admit. To protect, care for, feed and love them​ . Just like every single creature deserves.
Say: "Yes !" to the LEBEN project - donate.
Ganz liebe Grüße an dieser stelle an Christoph : https://www.careelite.de/umweltschutzprojekt/
Projects Vale Frango under construction