Welcoming volunteers to help our animal sanctuary in the mountains of Atajate, Spain

Detalles

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  Descripción

  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.

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Trabajo de caridad

  Ayuda en proyectos ecológicos

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Cuidado de animales

  Ayuda en una granja

  Mantenimiento general

  Ayuda informática
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  Intereses

  

  Mascotas

  

  Videografía

  

  LGBT+

  

  Eventos y sociedad

  

  Sostenibilidad

  

  Vegetariano o vegano

  

  Vida en autocaravana

  

  Autodesarrollo

  

  Agricultura

  

  Trabajo de caridad

  

  Yoga / bienestar

  

  Senderismo

  

  Arte y diseño

  

  Libros

  

  Bricolaje y manualidades

  

  Música

  

  Cuidado de plantas

  

  Fotografía

  

  Idiomas

  

  Jardinería

  

  Cocina y alimentación

  

  Dibujo y pintura

  

  Carpintería

  

  Astronomía

  

  Animales

  

  Playa

  

  Montaña

  

  Actividades al aire libre

  

  Naturaleza

  

  Baile
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  Objetivos de sostenibilidad de las NU que intenta conseguir este anfitrión

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  ¿Que es esto?
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  * 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.

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  Organización benéfica registrada

  Este anfitrión es una organización benéfica registrada en su país y busca voluntarios para ayudar en su(s) proyecto(s).

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  Ayuda au pair

  Encontrará más información aquí.

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  Proyectos con niños

  En este proyecto podría haber niños. Para obtener más información, consulta nuestras directrices y consejos aquí.

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  Ayuda

  (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.

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas hablados
  Inglés: Fluido
  Español: Fluido

  Este anfitrión ofrece intercambio de idiomas
  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.
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  Alojamiento

  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.

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  Algo más...

  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.

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Puede acoger a nómadas digitales

  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.

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  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.

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  Podría aceptar mascotas

  Please <b>contact us to discuss your pet(s)<b> to see if a stay is possible.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Uno

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  Mis animales / mascotas

  Pisko

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