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

Infos

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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.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Bénévolat

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Vidéographie

  

  LGBT+

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  Vie en van

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Ferme

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Randonnée

  

  Art et design

  

  Livres

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Musique

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Photographie

  

  Langues

  

  Jardinage

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Astronomie

  

  Animaux

  

  Plage

  

  Montagne

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Nature

  

  Danse
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  * 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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  Association caritative

  Cet hôte est une association caritative déclarée dans son pays et recherche des bénévoles pour l'aider dans ses projets.

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  Aide « au pair »

  De plus amples informations sont disponibles ici

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  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

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  Aide

  (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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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  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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  Hébergement

  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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  Autres infos...

  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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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les 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.

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  Espace pour garer des 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.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

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

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Un

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  Mes animaux

  Pisko

Sécurité du site

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