Help with our animals and learn about agriculture in the beautiful hills of Transylvania, Romania

Details

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  Description

  We are building something much bigger than a farm or an animal sanctuary.
  We are creating a place where animals, plants and people can live in harmony and where humans can reconnect with nature, with animals and with themselves.
  
  Originally from Germany, our family (a married couple in our 50s and our adult son) moved to Romania to follow a long-held vision: to create a living ecosystem that supports animals in need, grows healthy food naturally, and offers people a place to learn, heal and reconnect.
  
  Set in the breathtaking hills of Transylvania near Brașov, our land is becoming a vibrant sanctuary for animals, plants and people from around the world.
  
  
  Building a Market Garden & Food Forest – A Regenerative Vision:
  
  One of the central parts of our project is the creation of a Market Garden and Food Forest system based on ecological and regenerative principles.
  
  We are developing:
  
  A productive Market Garden with diverse vegetable cultivation
  A growing Food Forest with fruit trees, berries and perennial crops
  A Medicinal Herb Garden
  Regenerative soil-building systems
  Sustainable food production for animals and people
  Landscapes that support biodiversity and long-term resilience
  
  This is a newly developing area, and we are especially interested in welcoming experienced gardeners, permaculture practitioners, and people with practical growing skills who want to help design, build and maintain these systems.
  
  This is not only gardening, it is ecosystem creation.
  
  
  A Sanctuary for Dogs – Creating Stability and Trust:
  
  Several years ago, we took responsibility for street dogs in our region, and since then our work has grown into a large private dog sanctuary, currently caring for over 100 dogs.
  Our dogs live in social groups in natural environments, where they can move freely, interact with each other, and build trust with humans.
  
  Working with the dogs includes:
  
  Daily care and feeding
  Cleaning and maintenance
  Observing health and behavior
  Building trust through calm interaction
  Supporting structured group living
  Helping create stable environments
  
  We are particularly looking for people who:
  
  have experience with dogs
  understand group dynamics
  remain calm and patient
  enjoy working outdoors in all weather
  
  
  Horses as Partners in Connection – Not Riding, but Relationship:
  
  Our horses are not used for riding or sport.
  They are therapy-oriented and live in natural environments.
  In the future, they will become an important part of retreats and workshops, helping people reconnect with nature and develop awareness, presence and respect for animals.
  
  Working with the horses includes:
  
  Daily feeding and care
  Maintaining pastures and shelters
  Supporting natural herd living
  Observing health and behavior
  Preparing environments for human–horse interaction programs
  
  We are especially looking for helpers with horse experience who understand natural horse keeping and calm, respectful interaction.
  
  
  Cook / Community Kitchen – Help Nourish People and Build a Living Community:
  
  Food plays a central role in our project.
  As we continue to develop our gardens, food systems and retreat infrastructure, we are looking for people who enjoy cooking and creating nourishing meals for a growing international team.
  This role is about much more than preparing food, it is about creating connection, rhythm and wellbeing through shared meals.
  
  Your Main Responsibilities:
  
  Depending on your experience and interest, your work may include:
  
  Preparing daily meals for the team
  Supporting menu planning
  Cooking healthy, simple and nourishing food
  Working with fresh ingredients from the garden
  Supporting food preparation for workshops and retreats
  Maintaining kitchen cleanliness and hygiene
  Supporting food preservation (drying, fermenting, storing)
  Helping develop seasonal and garden-based meals
  
  We especially welcome people who:
  
  enjoy cooking for groups
  value healthy and natural food
  are organized and responsible
  enjoy working as part of a team
  feel inspired by seasonal and garden-based cooking
  
  Experience with:
  
  vegetarian or plant-based cooking
  cooking for groups
  food preservation
  traditional or natural food preparation
  
  is highly valued.
  
  Why This Role Is Important:
  
  Food is a foundation of community life.
  Shared meals create connection, stability and wellbeing, especially in physically active environments.
  As our project develops into a place for retreats and workshops, the kitchen will become an essential part of daily life.
  
  You will help shape:
  
  the rhythm of the day
  the atmosphere of the community
  the connection between land and food
  
  Long-Term Opportunities:
  
  As our gardens and retreat programs grow, the kitchen will become an increasingly important part of the project.
  For experienced and reliable people, long-term roles or paid kitchen positions may become possible.
  We are especially interested in people who enjoy growing into responsibility and helping create a strong community culture.
  
  
  Creating Infrastructure for Retreats and Learning:
  
  Alongside animal and garden work, we are building the physical foundation for future learning spaces.
  
  This includes:
  
  Construction of infrastructure
  Creating outdoor learning spaces
  Supporting retreat environments
  Developing pathways and structures
  Maintaining and improving buildings and fences
  
  People with craft, construction or technical skills are highly valued and needed.
  A Place for Learning, Retreats and International Community:
  
  Our long-term vision includes:
  
  Retreats focused on reconnection with nature
  Workshops and seminars
  Learning spaces for regenerative agriculture
  Animal-assisted programs
  A living international community
  
  We are building a place where people can learn by doing, grow personally, and become part of a meaningful long-term project.
  
  
  Who We Are Looking For:
  
  We are especially interested in welcoming people who:
  
  have practical experience with animals or gardening
  enjoy physical outdoor work
  are reliable and responsible
  feel inspired by long-term vision
  want to be part of something meaningful
  are open to learning and contributing their own skills
  
  We particularly welcome:
  
  Experienced gardeners
  People with Market Gardening or Permaculture experience
  Dog caretakers
  Horse caretakers
  Skilled craftspeople
  Builders and technical helpers
  Motivated, passionate, and nature-inspired chefs
  
  
  Minimum Stay & Long-Term Opportunities:
  
  Because of the complexity of the work and the time required for proper introduction, a minimum stay of 3 weeks is necessary.
  
  However, we strongly prefer:
  1–6 months or longer stays
  For people who fit well with the team and share our vision, long-term cooperation and paid positions may become possible.
  
  We are in the process of building an international team that will help turn this vision into reality.
  
  
  What You Can Expect:
  A own big sleeping room and bathroom in a big apartment in the nearby small city (15 Minutes away)
  A unique learning environment
  Deep connection to animals and nature
  Meaningful physical work
  A beautiful natural landscape
  Participation in building something lasting
  A place where your skills truly matter
  
  This is not a tourist experience. It is participation in the creation of a living ecosystem.
  
  If You Feel Called to Join Us:
  
  If you have read the full description and feel inspired to become part of this journey, please include the word:
  SANCTUARY
  in the subject line of your message, so we know you have read everything carefully.
  
  We look forward to meeting people who feel connected to this vision and want to help bring it to life.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Architecture

  

  Art & design

  

  Astronomy

  

  Carpentry

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Music

  

  Photography

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Animals

  

  Self development

  

  Events & social

  

  Videography

  

  Sustainability

  

  Farming

  

  Charity work

  

  Culture

  

  Pets

  

  Vegetarian or vegan
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  With us you will learn a lot of different things. Starting with ancient knowledge about medicinal plants, organic horticulture, edible wild plants, non-violent treatment of animals and much more.

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  Help

  We are looking for helping hands to create several gardens, lakes, construction of stables, other buildings and fences. We are also looking for helpers, who will help us with the care of our animals.

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  As accommodation, we provide you a big apartment of four rooms , each with own bathroom in the nearby small city.
  Each Workawayer has her/his own (big) sleeping room. The big kitchen with a dining area we use for communal meals in the morning and the evening at the moment. The lunch is always at the farm.
  
  Regarding cooking: If a workawayer has passion for cooking, we will be very thankful! If not, of course we will cook together or only us as well!
  If you have any intolerances or allergies, please let us know!
  
  Internet is available there free of charge and without restrictions.

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  What else ...

  On days off, you have the opportunity to relax in the most beautiful natural surroundings, to hike, to spend the day with the animals, but also, if desired, to visit beautiful old towns nearby such as Brasov, Sibiu or observe wild brown bears in the Carpathians. We are used to do sightseeing tours with our guests.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Internet is available in accommodation

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

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

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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