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Host rating
100 %
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100.0 %
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Feedback
86
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Details
Description
We are a small non-profit organisation based on the breeding of the endangered (300 worldwide) small-sized Skyrian horse, one of the rarest and most ancient breed of horse in the world. As we receive very little help from the government (we used to receive none but recently entered a new European programme which hopefully will make things a bit easier), the whole conservation of the breed depends upon our volunteers' and our own work! The main goal of the organisation is the controlled breeding of the horses so as to avoid in-breeding which within such a small population could have dramatic consequences. The breed has also been the object of several studies in Greece and abroad, particularly to examinate its unique DNA and try to understand where it comes from and why it is so different from other horse breeds on the planet. Another important part of our work is the promotion of the breed at home and abroad, through interviews, documentary movies and good online communication. The aim is to find people interested in buying or adopting horses that could go away to good homes (!) so that we can keep breeding better quality horses every year.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The cultural exchange is permanent at the farm and around the island, both with the locals and with other volunteers from all over the world. You can improve your English and learn Greek while at the farm, learn about farm maintenance and being around horses and work with them in a natural, respectful way.
Help
We need help with the horses and also with some tasks in the fields during the spring and summer months. If you have some experience with horses you can help train them (ground work but no riding as our horses are "mini", ie. suitable only for small children) but if you don't have any experience in this field it's not a problem as we will show you what you need to know.
If you come early in the season, the help required will consist in cleaning fields, feeding horses, fixing and painting fences, building shelters, preparing the campsite etc. During the Summer months, the main works consist in feeding and watering horses, cleaning the fields that are near houses, informing visitors about our work, preparing the horses and leading rides for the children. Since 2018 I have also started giving riding classes in the morning, so experienced volunteers can also help handling the horses and helping the kids during the lessons. Very experienced and gentle volunteers only might also be trusted with one or more horses to train. Please note all training and riding is done bitless, and the training often has to be done earlier in the morning to avoid the hottest hours and be available when the visitors arrive.
You can also contact us if you have any special skills (photography, communication, translation…) which could be helpful to us in any way in our conservation programmes.
Greek-speaking volunteers will be used in guided tours and to inform those interested in the organization.
Volunteers at the farm help about 4-5 hours a day, 6 days a week. We expect you to be flexible on that, we do not want people who will run away at the end of the shift if there is still help required to do and it takes 10 or 15 minutes. We want to host people who are genuinely interested in the project and really want to help with it. In the Summer, volunteers are separated in two teams, one volunteering in the morning from 8:00 or 9:00 to 13:00 , the other in the afternoon from 16:00 to 21:00 (or 17:00 to 21:00). Volunteers decide together which shift they want to be in for the next day. There is a possibility some volunteers to work two hours in the morning shift and two hours in the afternoon. These working times are subject to change if for example the working horses need to be fed earlier in the morning, so that sometimes one or two volunteers will be asked to do the feeding outside of these hours (they will then have a shorter shift that same day or another).Also volunteers at some stage might do volunteer work outside the farm,for the well being of the island.For example clean beaches or clear a path which people have difficult access.Languages spoken
Greek: Fluent
English: FluentAccommodation
There is organized camping facilities waiting for you in an olive grove right next to our farm and each volunteer will have their own tent (is not waterprood)(couples and friends may have to share a tent in the Summer when we have many volunteers), with 2 outdoor showers and 1 toilet in the camp . Our last attempt at building compost toilets in the camp wasn't exactly a success so anyone with experience is welcome to help with this :-) The tents have proper mattresses ( camping mats) but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and/or sheets. (Of course you could bring your tent and mattress)
Breakfast and lunch all the volunteers at camping and for the dinner we giving a simple sandwich.What else ...
The island of Skyros is very quiet in the winter but gets very busy in the summer and the main village is quite lively in the evenings! The southern part of the island is an uninhabited Natura 2000 reserve and there are many hiking paths in the mountains and forests where you will be able to enjoy the beautiful sceneries and endemic animals and plants.
Stay at the farm: 3 weeks minimum.
UNFORTUNATELY WE CANNOT HOST FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OR VOLUNTEERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.
Thank you for your understanding.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (65)
It has a very good experience working with the horses and the island is amazing. The transportation around the island is quite easy and there are two good beaches that are walking distance from the camp.
The meals at the restaurant most of the time was very good. However,… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.6)
It has a very good experience working with the horses and the island is amazing. The transportation around the island is quite easy and there are two good beaches that are walking distance from the camp.
The meals at the restaurant most of the time was very good. However,… read more
The work was mostly about feeding the horses, cutting branches, fixing streets and preparing the opening of the restaurant.
I am very thankful for the great time and your hospitality. :-)
Thank you soooooo much and we hope to see you again.
:)
τα λέμε Manolis
Better late than never, but here is our feedback regarding our wonderful one month stay of summer 2020. Despite covid, we were able to easily reach Skyros island and to help out in the Farm. We can easily say that this has been one of the best experiences in our life!
The work is physical, but at least it provides a free workout!… read more
This was my first ever workaway, I had no idea what this experience would bring but wow it really did go above and beyond all my expectations!… read more
This was my first Workaway, and I was far from being disappointed ! All the reviews reflect a lot on the actual welcoming atmosphere you feel when you’re there. Skyros is such a pretty… read more
When I first arrived, we were only five volunteers so the work was a little harder. But I enjoyed beeing with the horses and got used to the physical work… read more
I met a lot of people there, made very good friends and I think I will remember this experience all my life! The work there can be physic sometimes but it's a great… read more
And you know what?
That definitely was a blast there in Skyros!
I went there for a little more than three weeks, and it was the right choice to go there. It was the first time I worked with horses, but it… read more
If you're adventurous, an animal and a nature lover, if you like olive oil, if you don't mind hot temperature and if you're willing to make new friendship, this place is made for you !
Our journey looked like an… read more
I did this workaway during 1 month (8june-3july) which means that i could see and compare the difference between low and high season. Both times have their advantages.
In june work was organised by Manolis (owner of the farm) and we didnt have… read more
This was such a great Workaway and completely different than the ones I have done before.
I am not very experienced with horses so I thought this could become a problem, but it was not at all. The first days I got introduced to the feeding by other volunteers and thought I would never be able to do this by… read more
I've spent 3 weeks on the farm, the first part before Marion and Thibault's arrival and the second part after. Therefore, I sort of experienced two different approaches, each of them being extremely enriching in their own way.
When I first arrived in Skyros with my… read more
3 semaines dans ce camp m'a semblé en être qu'une... Le travail n'est vraiment pas difficile (d'autant plus si on aime les chevaux et qu'on se sent impliqué dans le projet de sauvegarde de… read more
She is a very reliable horse person and you can… read more
The horses are super adorable, I really enjoy working with them and having them around all the time... even at the breakfast table in the camp ! :)
The work is fine, it's not too… read more
I… read more
The job isn't very difficult but there's a big responsibility with horses.If you love animals (horses).It's a perfect place for you.
You'll have a lot of time for you,you could go to the beachs,walk in the mountains, sleep on the beach,meet Skyros people because they're very friendly.
I was lucky to met Marion, she… read more
Some of my happiest days were spent on the island of Skyros. Every day was like a dream being able to "work" alongside crazy awesome volunteers, while being able to play with horses all day! I went to Skyros knowing close to nothing about horses, and left… read more
Despite being the only volunteer (the only other lady left after only a few days) and my first time ever in Greece (which I shall definitely be returning to) my time here has been wonderful, educational, challenging at times, a really good laugh and one I definitely… read more
My only regret is not have gone there before, during august and not September, which it's a best option because of many things. But now I know for my next time.
The help required is not that hard or easy, enough to be tired but satisfied at the end of the… read more
You also can make friends coming from all over the world.
Marion and Manolis are really welcoming and kind. We wish we could have stayed longer, when you're here you… read more
The horses are the sweetest little things, and I miss their sweet natured personalities.
I was there when it was quiet, but it gave us… read more
There was lots of delicious food but be prepared… read more
Plus he adapted to the work and understood the needs of the farm in no time! He was always… read more
Besides them, i made some really good friend in the farm (from Germany, India, Greece, Spain and even US) and i hope to see them again ... looks like only Marion only accepts amazing volunteers hahahaha :D
The work is not super hard or easy, is enough for you… read more
It was our first time as a workawayers and it definetly left our expectations so high for the next workaway we do.
Marion and Manolis… read more
I went there when Marion was out traveling and Manolis was pretty busy (i was told this beforehand, so no problem) so in the beginning i went exploring the beautiful island by myself and really enjoyed walking in the mountains. Later on got to work with this… read more
Manolis and Marion's farm is the perfect place if you are looking for these things. The team of… read more