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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
27 Oct 2026
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Reply rate
97.4 %
Usually responds within 2 days
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Feedback
36
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Find your perfect host
Min stay requested: at least 1 month
Details
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Description
experienced carpenters, animal carers & a cleaner wanted (1 month minimum)
My name is Victor Hugo, and I live on a farm in Nazareno Etla, Oaxaca, where I have cared for animals for 20 years. I use a wheelchair permanently, but I have dedicated my life to rescuing animals. Every rescued life deserves compassion, safety and a second chance.
Our farm is a safe haven for animals that have been abused, abandoned, injured, or can’t survive in the wild. Today it is home to a crocodile, a monkey, a wild boar, horses, turkeys, chickens, ducks, dogs and cats. Many arrived injured, neglected or traumatised. We provide rehabilitation and, whenever possible, release wild animals back into their natural habitat. Those that cannot survive in the wild stay with us for lifelong care.
Running a sanctuary is a full-time commitment. Every day we feed the animals, clean their enclosures, look after the gardens and improve the farm through construction. No two days are the same.
My limited mobility makes the physical work harder every year. To keep the sanctuary going, I want to renovate the farm and rent out accommodation, so I can buy more food and pay for medical treatment for the animals. I now need a hands-on team to help bring this renovation project to life. If you have heart, patience and a willingness to work hard, I would love to hear from you.
Who I’m looking for
I'm looking for 5 volunteers who can stay a minimum of one month:
- Experienced carpenters or builders to lead the renovation work
- Someone very experienced with animals to help with daily care and treatment
- A cleaner and general helper to keep the farm and volunteer areas clean, tidy and well maintained
- A content creator to photograph and film the renovations, so we can share our progress on social media
Expect to work about 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. The animals are fed every day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Our first project: renovating 2 rooms
First, we're renovating 2 rooms to house volunteers comfortably. Then I want to turn other parts of the farm into guest accommodation and eventually build cabañas. The volunteers who join will be part of that story.
Please note: we don't have materials yet. I rely on donations to buy supplies. We're building a website and social media content to bring in more. Until then, progress depends on what we can fund, so please be flexible. If you can bring tools, source materials locally or build on a small budget, we'd love to hear from you.
What you'll get
- Real country life in Oaxaca. Live locally and get to know the town.
- Incredible animals. Build a bond with horses, a monkey, a crocodile and more.
- Learn or practise Spanish. I don't speak English, so it's full immersion. I'm a good teacher, whether you're starting from zero or polishing your Spanish.
- Oaxacan cooking. Meals aren't provided, but there's a kitchen to cook your own, places to eat in town, and I love sharing recipes.
- Somewhere to sleep. 3 rooms for volunteers. I have blankets and mosquito nets, but the nets are old, so bring your own sleeping bag or sheets, and a net if you can.
- Oaxaca City is 40 minutes away by collectivo, perfect for your days off.
Spanish version:
Me llamo Victor Hugo y vivo en una granja en Nazareno Etla, Oaxaca, donde llevo 20 años cuidando animales. Uso silla de ruedas de forma permanente, pero he dedicado mi vida a rescatar animales. Cada vida rescatada merece compasión, seguridad y una segunda oportunidad.
Nuestra granja es un refugio para animales que han sido maltratados, abandonados, heridos o que no pueden sobrevivir en la naturaleza. Hoy es el hogar de un cocodrilo, un mono, un jabalí, caballos, guajolotes, gallinas, patos, perros y gatos. Muchos llegaron heridos, desnutridos o traumatizados. Les damos rehabilitación y, siempre que es posible, liberamos a los animales silvestres en su hábitat natural. Los que no pueden sobrevivir en libertad se quedan con nosotros y reciben cuidados de por vida. Mantener un santuario es un compromiso de tiempo completo. Todos los días damos de comer a los animales, limpiamos sus corrales, cuidamos los huertos y mejoramos la granja con obras de construcción. No hay dos días iguales.
Mi movilidad limitada hace que el trabajo físico sea cada año más difícil. Para sacar adelante el santuario, quiero renovar la granja y rentar alojamiento, para poder comprar más comida y pagar el tratamiento médico de los animales. Ahora necesito un equipo dispuesto a ayudar con las manos para hacer realidad este proyecto de renovación. Si tienes corazón, paciencia y ganas de trabajar duro, me encantaría saber de ti.
A quién busco
- Busco 5 voluntarios que puedan quedarse un mínimo de un mes:
- Carpinteros o constructores con experiencia para dirigir los trabajos de renovación
- Alguien con mucha experiencia con animales para ayudar con el cuidado diario y los tratamientos
- Una persona para limpieza y apoyo general que mantenga la granja y las áreas de los voluntarios limpias, ordenadas y en buen estado
- Un creador de contenido que fotografíe y grabe las renovaciones para compartir nuestros avances en redes sociales
Se trabajan unas 5 horas al día, 5 días a la semana. A los animales se les da de comer todos los días, una vez en la mañana y otra en la noche.
Nuestro primer proyecto: renovar 2 cuartos
Primero vamos a renovar 2 cuartos para alojar cómodamente a los voluntarios. Después quiero convertir otras partes de la granja en alojamiento para huéspedes y, con el tiempo, construir cabañas. Los voluntarios que lleguen serán parte de esta historia.
Ojo: todavía no tenemos materiales. Dependo de donaciones para comprar lo necesario. Estamos creando un sitio web y contenido para redes sociales para conseguir más. Mientras tanto, el avance depende de lo que podamos pagar, así que te pedimos flexibilidad. Si puedes traer herramientas, conseguir materiales en la zona o construir con poco presupuesto, nos encantaría saber de ti.
Lo que recibirás
- Vida de campo real en Oaxaca. Vive en la comunidad y conoce el pueblo.
- Animales increíbles. Crea un vínculo con caballos, un mono, un cocodrilo y más.
- Aprende o practica español. No hablo inglés, así que es inmersión total. Soy buen maestro, ya sea que empieces de cero o quieras perfeccionar tu español.
- Cocina oaxaqueña. No se incluyen comidas, pero hay una cocina para preparar tus propios alimentos, lugares para comer en el pueblo, y me encanta compartir recetas.
- Un lugar donde dormir. 3 cuartos para voluntarios. Tengo cobijas y mosquiteros, pero los mosquiteros son viejos, así que trae tu bolsa de dormir o tus sábanas, y un mosquitero si puedes.
- Escapadas fáciles a la ciudad. La ciudad de Oaxaca está a solo 40 minutos en colectivo, ideal para tus días libres. -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Help around the house
Light maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House & pet sitting
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Interests
Carpentry
DIY & crafts
Hitchhiking
Astronomy
Performing arts
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Videography
Van life
Vegetarian or vegan
Charity work
Technology
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Movies & TV
Pets
LGBTQ
Events & social
Culture
Self development
Farming
Mountain
Yoga / Wellness
Hiking
Nature
Adventure sports
Dancing
Outdoor activities
Camping -
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
An excellent place to learn espagnol and historia of the region.
Un excelente lugar para aprender español y historia de la región. -
Help
Help with animal care and food, gardening, watering plants, construction etc.
Ayuda en el cuidado y alimentación de los animales, jardinería, riego de plantas, trabajos de construcción, etc. -
Languages
Languages spoken
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information. -
Accommodation
5 beds and camping area
5 camas y zona de acampada -
What else ...
The farm is very close to the city of etla, Oaxaca
Un excelente lugar para aprender español e historia de la región. -
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
There Is quite some work to do on the farm especially in the mornings and the early evenings. If you can schedule around that times and your work is not too time consuming it should work out. Hay bastante trabajo que hacer en la granja, especialmente por las mañanas y por las tardes. Si se puede programar alrededor de esos tiempos y su trabajo no es demasiado tiempo que consume debe funcionar.
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Space for parking camper vans
There is space to park a car, a van, a truck Hay espacio para aparcar un coche, una furgoneta, un camión
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Can possibly accept pets
The animal should be okay with other animals and not hunt for chickens etc. El animal debe estar bien con otros animales y no cazar gallinas, etc.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (24)
I personally enjoyed my time at the farm - but it's … read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
I personally enjoyed my time at the farm - but it's … read more
Really open minded. Nice chats, always attent to everything and taking initiative and the commun life was amazing.
They made a worderfull piece of art that will stay forever.
Definitively a plus for any project.
Thanks
During my five week stay, Victor the host was recuperating from a car accident. We visited him weekly for a beer and some chat … read more
He is open minded, always open and smiling.
He had been an amazing help in the farm during his stay, taking care of it as if it was his house.
He was always here to help on any job, and it was good to know that he is responsible and always doing his best for the place.
An amazing … read more
I spent a month here and loved it. Hugo is an incredible person; funny, tenacious and incredibly dedicated to his animals. He is also an excellent communicator - your Spanish can flourish with him! A friend for life, with many amazing teachings.
The granja is a beautiful place, with great access to the pueblo Nazareno … read more
He's on a wheelchair but still wakes up every morning and single handed takes both horses out of their corals and takes them to pasture. He is a veterinarian and you can tell, he loves his animals, treats them … read more
My best place as … read more
Days here are long and varied - there is a lot to do and experience! both work, and adventurous experiences that … read more
Este lugar es hermoso y encuetramos aquí amigos de todo el mundo que son ahora nuestros amigos para la vida !
Juntos, construimos un baño seco, una ducha a fuera, cortamos bambú y cocinamos muchas cosas deliciosas.
Hicemos todo para que la Granja, … read more
hugo was a perfect host who loves to share his experiences and culture! i would absolutely recommend going there!!
He helped with the horses in the morning and with the gardening.
He quickly learned the ins and outs of our place and was very sociable.
We're gonna miss him and hope he'll come back someday.
Me quedé en la casa de Victor Hugo por dos semanas en el verano de 2018. Trabajé con los animales y con Victor Hugo, Mari y tres otros voluntarios europeos, y fue una experiencia muy bonita. En aquella época se estaban mudando de su vieja granja a una nueva, entonces hubo que construir muchas nuevas jaulas y cercas, y luego … read more
It has been a pleasure to spend one month here.
I have could learn Spanish with him .
I recommend workawayers to spend time here, it's a wonderful region and the granja is very lovely with all these animals 😍
