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29 Apr 2026
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Description
This place is in a beautiful natural setting close to Orgiva in Andalusia, Southern Spain. There is a range of activity going on to turn this traditional Cortijo into a self sufficient and sustainable place where people will be able to come for rest, healing, yoga, workshops, garden work, sharing and learning skills and time out... all on a not for profit basis with everything ploughed back into the project. Currently I am only looking for help with light construction and landscaping, as there are specific projects to be undertaken to help make this place self-sufficient.
I am an english woman with spanish residency and used to run a wellness retreat centre on an organic farm in Wales where we hosted woofers from all over the world, so I am very familiar with the host role.
At the moment the we are completing work on part of the house and gardens. Work is suitable for those with experience in building, general maintenance and landscaping. There may also be opportunities for keen permaculture gardeners to help develop herb and medicine gardens and for creative people who are good with wood. I am keen to host those who can work largely unsupervised with appropriate skills to help keep this project developing.
Currently we are building garden walls, clearing the grounds of weeds and excess stones, preparing and laying out garden areas, paths and steps between terraces. We intend to build a compost toilet. We also plan to convert the stables and have created a wooden yurt or Yogashala. Work has begun to extend our large veg bed along permaculture and organic principles, and make the areas around the house and pool safe and attractive for healing holiday guests. We have also been tracking the energy lines on the land to provide focal points for meditation and connecting with the powerful energy that runs through this valley and some say runs all the way to Glastonbury in England. I draw on local expertise which is abundant, to assist with all the projects and there are many skilled and knowledgeable community members willing to teach those interested. Work usually takes place between the hours of 8.30am and 4pm or after 5pm when the mid days are too hot. I usually prepare lunch around 1 - 3pm for those eating with us, and there are options for self-catering as the work for accommodation exchange is flexible.
The place is set in 9500 sq. meters of land with 360 degree views of the Sierra Nevada and the Lujar mountain ranges and has 27 old Olive trees and a growing orchard as we plant. We are walking distance from the small town of Órgiva, from the Guadalfeo river and 25 minutes drive to the nearest south coast beach.
I am a yoga teacher, Barbara Brennan trained healer, Reiki healer and Shamanic healer and practitioner and I also love to get involved with all the physical projects on the land. Yoga and healing sessions will be free to those interested in participating in this project to co-create a natural healing space. When the various indoor and out door spaces are ready I will also offer courses and events on a not for profit basis.
As a healer, yoga teacher and therapist I am naturally very concerned with everyones physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Whilst my intention is to be fully inclusive, I prefer to have a call, whatsapp or video chat with prospective volunteers so that we can see if we are a good fit and if you would be happy working here for a while. There will be opportunities for workaways to stay for longer periods if things work out well.
There is a vibrant 'conscious community' in and around Órgiva and many opportunities to participate in music, dance, spiritual and cultural events. It gets very, very hot in July and August and our natural pool or Alberca as part of the irrigation system is complete and a joy to relax and swim in - see photos!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House & pet sitting
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Whilst english and spanish are the main language sspoken around the Cortijo, there are many opportunities to mix with and learn from the Spanish and many other nationalities who reside in the area. All the ongoing projects have elements of learning new skills from experienced practitioners. This includes the yoga, healing and shamanism, as I teach these skills to others in their capacity of working as a healer as well as assisting with their own personal and spiritual development.
Help
Outdoor projects will include completing and building natural stone walls and steps, building a compost toilet and outdoor shower, creating water features as part of the land irrigation system, planting and maintaining a community veg bed, planting and maintaining the orchard and garden areas, harvesting and pruning the olives and fruit trees. Indoor tasks includes cooking, preserving excess fruit and veg, occasional cleaning and maintenance. There will usually be plenty of options depending on workaways interests and skills. There is also building going on with opportunities for workaways to get involved if interested and skilled.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Sinhalese: Intermediate
Swahili (Kiswahili): Beginner
Accommodation
There will be different types of accommodation available, partly depending on length of stay and time of year. There is a large spare bedroom in the main house, not always available. There is a small campervan on site and space for people to bring their own mobile accommodation. There is a one bedroom caravan and I may add a bell tent as a further option.
What else ...
There are plenty of amazing walks and hikes in the area and in winter skiing on the Sierra Nevada. There are many beaches easily accessible and the incredible culture in Granada with the Alhambra palace and gardens is only an hours drive. The white villages or Pueblo Blanco (now partly brown from the saharan sands!) are a local tourist attraction and get very busy in holiday times, but offer fiestas and ferias as well as local produce and crafts for sale.
There is a fairly good local bus service and there may be a vehicle available to borrow if you have the appropriate drivers licence.
I am an early riser and enjoy good company over a shared meal. The kitchen will be available to cook shared meals or your own at certain times. Órgiva is about 20 minutes walk away and there are all the usual shops and facilities including a good organic veg shop and market every Thursday. There is a good internet connection in the house.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Internet connections are good in the house and immediate surroundings but not all over the land
Space for parking camper vans
There is plenty of space but not much shade yet! Also due to restrictions on temporary accommodation in the locality longer stays in your mobile home may not be possible.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (5)
She has an amazing natural swiimming pool very clean and refreshing.
The work for me was mainly gardening and planting and we worked early morning and evening… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
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She has an amazing natural swiimming pool very clean and refreshing.
The work for me was mainly gardening and planting and we worked early morning and evening… read more
So it is quite likely you'll meet some of her friends. We had some deep good talks and there is the option to get a shamanic healing session or journey if you want these.
There were a… read more
