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14 Mar 2026
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Description
Join our Anglo-Spanish family at our non-profit mountain sanctuary for a unique, off-grid yurt-life experience. Exchange your help with childcare and animals for comfortable village accommodation and optional training in ethical, force-free horsemanship.
About us:
We are an Anglo-Spanish family with two children (born 2015 and 2019), living and working at a registered non-profit horse and animal sanctuary on the edge of a small mountain village in the province of Málaga. Our family lives a mostly off-grid, simple life in a single yurt located on the sanctuary land.
As a dedicated non-profit, our mission is animal welfare and education. We often host visitors and students from around the world who come to learn about positive reinforcement. We host Workawayers specifically to support our family life, animal care, and general land maintenance, ensuring the sanctuary can continue its charitable work.
The Exchange:
Because we are a small, volunteer-run non-profit, we are currently only able to provide accommodation. While volunteers are responsible for their own groceries, we often enjoy eating together as a group when everyone contributes food items and someone volunteers to cook, or we choose to do it spontaneously as a group. Because we don't have a budget for volunteer groceries we ask for a maximum of 15 hours per week.
Current Volunteer Needs (Winter 2025/26):
We are currently seeking immediate help with:
* Daily horse chores (physically demanding)
* Social media & fundraising
Note: Tasks can be combined depending on your skills and our current priorities. Please see the detailed breakdown in the sections below for more information.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Help with Eco Projects
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Pets
Videography
LGBTQ
Events & social
Sustainability
Vegetarian or vegan
Van life
Self development
Farming
Charity work
Yoga / Wellness
Hiking
Art & design
Books
DIY & crafts
Music
Plant care
Photography
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Drawing & painting
Carpentry
Astronomy
Animals
Beach
Mountain
Outdoor activities
Nature
Dancing
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
* Off-Grid Living: See how a family thrives in a yurt using sustainable, low-impact methods.
* Ethical Horsemanship & Animal Training & Care: Possible opportunities to gain rare access to force-free training techniques that prioritise animal agency and psychology.
* Contribution: Directly support the survival and growth of a small animal non-profit dedicated to ethical, force-free care.
* Community: Life in a traditional Spanish "Pueblo Blanco" and a bilingual household and volunteer project.
* Nature & Reflection: For those seeking a slower pace, the surrounding mountains, forests, and river provide a peaceful setting for walking, hiking, journaling, or quiet time in nature to reflect and reset.
Registered charity
This host is a registered charity in their country and is looking for volunteers to help with their project(s).
Au Pair Help
Further details can be found here
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
(Currently seeking only volunteers for: #3 and 7 — Winter 2025/26)
1) Family support / home help
As we live in a single, off-grid yurt, organization and regular tidying are essential to our daily flow. Clare would greatly benefit from help around the home, such as cleaning, organizing, and food preparation. This role is perfect for someone who takes initiative and enjoys a meaningful, yurt-based lifestyle.
2) Childcare
We seek someone to support our life-schooled daughters (2015 & 2019). We value warmth and emotional literacy—no rigid or authoritarian styles. Our eldest is sensitive and creative; our youngest is energetic and affectionate. We seek someone "present without hovering" who respects children's autonomy. Activities and tasks may include food prep, crafts, nature walks, taking the children to local activities, support with personal organisation, and play.
3) Horse chores
This is a deeply rewarding role for those who love being outdoors and close to animals. By helping with manure clearing, cleaning water troughs, and filling and hanging hay nets, you are directly ensuring the comfort and health of our horses. It is a vital part of our sanctuary’s heart. While the work is physically demanding, it offers a peaceful way to connect with the horses in their natural environment. No experience is necessary as full training will be given, and you are welcome to join our ethical training sessions to see how your daily care supports their progress.
4) Small animal care
Small animal care: This role is perfect for someone who enjoys the company of smaller creatures and finds fulfilment in their gentle care. You will be looking after our rabbit colony, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats—ensuring their living areas are clean, comfortable, and safe. Beyond the practical tasks of grooming and basic health checks, there is plenty of space for building trust through quiet interaction, exercise, and enrichment. It is a wonderful way to experience the different personalities of our sanctuary residents and provide them with the individual attention they thrive on.
5) Land, DIY and maintenance support
This is a satisfying role for those who enjoy working with their hands and seeing the tangible results of their efforts. You will help us maintain the beauty and functionality of the sanctuary land through tasks like pruning, gardening, and fixing fences. We often have creative projects underway, such as building new animal enclosures or improving our off-grid structures. It is a great opportunity to learn practical skills while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the sanctuary. We welcome self-motivated people who enjoy the quiet focus of independent work in a stunning mountain setting.
6) Cooking
Preparing healthy vegetarian/vegan meals from scratch. As we do not provide a food budget, this role usually involves sharing in a communal "potluck" style with the family or volunteers.
7) Social media & fundraising
Vital admin and digital work to keep the sanctuary running. This can also be offered as a distance volunteer position.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
Clare is a native English speaker, and most locals are native Spanish speakers. We host volunteers from many countries and often have multiple languages spoken on site. Our children are bilingual and enjoy exposure to other languages. Volunteers of all nationalities are welcome.
Accommodation
Volunteers usually stay in our village house (a 15-minute walk from the sanctuary/yurt). It has electricity, heating, hot water, a washing machine, Wi-Fi, and a kitchen. There are two small bedrooms and five single beds.
Notes:
* You will usually share, but in quiet periods you may get your own room.
* Sometimes there may be foster dogs or resident dogs in the accommodation.
* If you prefer a private room or apartment and it is not available in the provided accommodation, it is possible to rent one at your own expense in the village, subject to availability.
* Volunteers cater for themselves, however, we often enjoy eating together as a group when everyone contributes food items and someone volunteers to cook, or we choose to do it spontaneously as a group. You are welcome to eat independently or join us for these shared meals when working together.
What else ...
Spare time:
The sanctuary can offer educational sessions in our force-free, ethical horsemanship methodology for a donation or as an exchange. This can be discussed and feel free to make an offer if you are interested in this.
Also available locally:
Atajate is peaceful and scenic. You can enjoy regular local festivals and gatherings, such as the Atajate water fight in August, a German beer festival in October, and mushroom festivals in November.
For nature lovers, nearby attractions include the Canyon of the Vultures, ancient cave paintings (with guided walks), a secluded Paleochristian church, and a hidden Arab tower with no crowds. The beach is about 1½ hours away. Many volunteers appreciate the opportunity to enjoy a simpler rhythm of life through photography, creative work, or hiking.
Transport:
A weekday bus runs to the historic city of Ronda (18 km away), which offers excellent onward transport links. Car hire, local taxis, and airport collection are also available upon request.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Wi-Fi is available in the shared volunteer house and at a local bar/café a minute away. Vodafone mobile data generally works well for hotspots; other providers can be inconsistent.
Space for parking camper vans
Volunteers travelling in their own campervan <b>are very welcome<b>. We have some potential space on the land or nearby, depending on vehicle size and current use. <b>Please contact us in advance<b> so we can discuss what is feasible at that time.
Can possibly accept pets
Please <b>contact us to discuss your pet(s)<b> to see if a stay is possible.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Pisko
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (5)
Melanie is generally very friendly, open,… read more
I slept in my van and used the kitchen and common areas in the volunteer house, which was very cozy and lovingly set up. The farm was about a 15-minute walk away (a wonderful hiking trail through the nature). Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming from the very… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
Melanie is generally very friendly, open,… read more
I slept in my van and used the kitchen and common areas in the volunteer house, which was very cozy and lovingly set up. The farm was about a 15-minute walk away (a wonderful hiking trail through the nature). Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming from the very… read more
Love,
Jan and Vanessa
