Escape to the wild and our horse sanctuary in Modlimowo, Poland

Details

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  Description

  Modlimowo – a quiet place where horses come first.
  
  Welcome to Modlimowo, a small, peaceful village in rural north-western Poland, where we’re building a safe haven for rescued horses and a community rooted in care, simplicity, and nature. Our project is run by people who have worked for years in animal welfare and know how powerful the bond between humans and animals can be. At the heart of this place are the horses — many of them rescued by our foundation from difficult conditions — who now live freely and with dignity. Spending time with them, helping care for them, and just being in their presence is a big part of daily life here. Apart of horses, You will find cows, goats, alpacas, dogs and cats.
  
  We’re slowly transforming an old countryside property into a functional sanctuary, so helpers are involved in a mix of tasks — from caring for the horses (feeding, grooming, companionship) to helping with light construction, gardening, fencing, painting, and general maintenance work. There’s no rush, and no two days are the same — we try to match tasks to your energy and skills, and there’s always time for a tea break with the animals.
  
  Modlimowo is a remote village — the nearest small shop is about 5 km away, and the bigger town of Gryfice is around 20 minutes by car. If you like quiet walks, forest air, and evenings under the stars, you’ll feel at home here. The Baltic Sea is just a short drive away, with beaches in Niechorze and Rewal offering peaceful weekend getaways.
  
  We host volunteers all year round. If you love animals, enjoy simple living, and want to be part of something real — come and help us grow Modlimowo into a place full of life, care, and second chances.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Astronomy

  

  Videography

  

  Self development

  

  Van life

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Farming

  

  Charity work

  

  Events & social

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Performing arts

  

  Photography

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  Gardening

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Carpentry

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Art & design

  

  Animals

  

  Cycling

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Fitness

  

  Nature

  

  Team sports

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Camping

  

  Beach
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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

  Modlimowo is more than just a place to work — it’s a space for connection, reflection, and shared experience. Volunteers who come here often say they leave not only with new skills, but with a fresh perspective.
  
  You’ll have the chance to experience authentic rural life in Poland, far from the tourist tracks. You’ll get to know traditional customs, taste homemade vegetarian meals, and learn simple words and phrases in Polish if you’d like — we’re always happy to teach and share stories over tea or a bonfire.
  
  But the real heart of the exchange happens through the animals. You’ll learn about rescue work, the emotional lives of horses, and how non-verbal communication builds trust. We often hear from volunteers that living close to these animals changes something in them — it slows you down and deepens your sensitivity to the world.
  
  We also love hearing about your culture, your food, your stories. Modlimowo is a patchwork of people and ideas — everyone leaves a small mark. Whether it's sharing music, teaching us something new, or just bringing your unique presence, you become part of the place.

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  Registered charity

  This host is a registered charity in their country and is looking for volunteers to help with their project(s).

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  Help

  Most of your help here will revolve around daily care for our rescued horses. These animals have been through a lot and now live in peace — and your presence matters. Tasks include:
  
  Feeding and watering the horses
  Cleaning paddocks and shelter areas
  Grooming and brushing the horses
  Keeping them company, some are shy and need gentle, quiet attention to rebuild trust
  No riding is involved, but being around horses here is deeply rewarding, it’s about care, not control.
  We’re also working to slowly improve and expand the space, so there’s plenty of opportunity to help with:
  Basic construction projects (building fences, shelters, tool sheds, using simple tools,)
  Painting and maintenance (wooden buildings, fences, walls, indoor and outdoor)
  Gardening and landscaping (planting trees and flowers, weeding, composting, cutting grass or clearing paths)
  Organizing storage areas and tools (we’ve got lots of random stuff that needs sorting, labeling, or repairing)
  Depending on your skills and interests, you can also support us with:
  Taking photos or videos of the project and animals
  Helping with social media posts or storytelling
  Creative touches around the space (wood signs, handmade decorations, artistic input)
  
  We’re flexible, tasks change with the seasons, weather, and energy levels. On some days, we’ll work together as a team; on others, you might do something more independently. In general, we aim for 5 hours of help per day, with plenty of breaks, good food, and quiet time to enjoy the countryside and animals.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Polish: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  At Modlimowo, we speak mostly Polish, but we also understand and communicate in English, so you don’t need to worry if you're just starting out with Polish. That said, if you're curious about the language, you're in the right place! We're happy to teach you basic Polish words and phrases during daily conversations, meals, or while working with the horses. In return, we love learning from our volunteers — whether it's practicing English, or picking up a few words in Spanish, French, German, or any other language you speak. It’s always a fun and relaxed exchange, with no pressure — just natural learning through shared time and laughter. So whether you’re hoping to improve your Polish or help someone else improve their English (or another language), Modlimowo is a great place for simple, human language learning — far from classrooms, close to animals, and full of patience.
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  Accommodation

  At Modlimowo, we offer a simple camping-style experience, surrounded by nature and horses. Volunteers stay in tents, containers, or wooden huts, depending on availability and the season. If you have your own tent or campervan, you're very welcome to bring it, there’s plenty of space and fresh air to go around.
  
  We have a shared bathroom with hot water and a toilet. There’s a cozy kitchen area where we cook together, prepare tea, and gather in the evenings — it’s a social heart of the place,
  
  This is off-grid and back-to-basics living, so expect a peaceful, rural rhythm: birdsong in the morning, starry skies at night, and horses grazing nearby. We provide basic essentials, but you’re also welcome to bring your own gear for extra comfort.
  
  It’s not luxury ,but it’s real, quiet, and full of soul. If you enjoy nature, slow mornings, shared meals, and the occasional visit from a curious horse, Modlimowo will feel like a little escape from the noise of the world.
  We provide three vegan meals a day as part of your stay — usually simple, home-cooked dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. We often cook and eat together, and volunteers are welcome to help in the kitchen or share recipes from their own culture.
  
  When schedules get busy or you're working independently, we make sure there's always plenty of food available so you can prepare something yourself. Tea, coffee, and snacks are always on hand.
  
  Please note: no meat or fish is to be consumed on the premises, out of respect for the animals we care for and the values of the sanctuary. If you have other dietary needs or preferences, just let us know — we’ll do our best to make you feel at home.

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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

  If you're a digital nomad looking to combine remote work with meaningful volunteering, Modlimowo offers a unique rhythm — but it's important to know what to expect. We have basic Wi-Fi, good enough for emails, messages, and light work. Video calls are possible but can be unstable during bad weather, so it’s not ideal for high-bandwidth or super time-sensitive work. This is a place to slow down, focus, and find inspiration — but probably not the best fit if you're tied to a strict 9-to-5 remote schedule. We’re flexible — if you need to adjust your hours around your work, just let us know in advance. Early mornings or late afternoons often work best for horse care, leaving you space for your own projects in between. There’s plenty of quiet space to work — from shaded garden spots to the kitchen shelter or your own tent. If you're craving peace, nature, and a chance to disconnect from digital overload while still getting your tasks done, Modlimowo offers a calm and grounding space to do just that.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  At Modlimowo, we offer a peaceful, back-to-basics camping experience in the heart of nature. Volunteers usually stay in tents, wooden huts or containers, but we also warmly welcome those traveling in their own campervans or motorhomes. There’s plenty of flat, open space for parking — surrounded by fields, trees, and the occasional curious horses nearby. You’ll have access to basic facilities including a toilet, hot shower, and a shared outdoor kitchen area where we cook and eat together. W have power hookups, and a water station on site.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We’re animal lovers and understand that some volunteers travel with pets. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, as long as they are calm around horses and don’t chase or stress the animals. Please let us know in advance so we can be sure it's a good fit for everyone — especially our rescued animals. Other small pets may be possible too — just ask! We’ll do our best to accommodate.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Donkeys

  we have 25 donkeys onsite

  Cats

  We have 5 cats that were born one year ago in the local village. Unfortunately their mother passed away in a road accident and they were given to us.

  

  Horses

  There are over 40 horses saved from slaughter onsite.

  

  Alpakas

  We have 10 Alpakas on site

  

  Cows

  We have 5 cows on site

  

  Ponies

  We have over 100 ponies on site, saved from neglect and/or abuse. Saved from slaughter.

  

  Milka

  The oldest alabai we have.

  

  Diego and Dioxa

  Two central asia shepherd dogs we have onsite

  

  Runa

  one of four central asian shepherd dogs we have on site.

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