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Learn new skills at our nonprofit farm animal sanctuary on Hawaii's Big Island, USA
Última atividade
: 22 mar. 2025
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Nº de ref. de anfitrião: 652779239118
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Comentário (10)
Feito pelo anfitrião para o Workawayer (Elizabeth )
We are a nonprofit animal sanctuary with 100+ animals, and we rely on our team of live-in volunteers, who we staff through a combination of Workaway and Indeed, for 100% of our animal care. Elizabeth messaged us, interviewed, was confirmed, and had a flight booked, but then from about a week out of her arrival date stopped communicating with us.
… read more Emails were not responded to, waivers went uncompleted, reminder texts were delivered but ignored, and a final Workaway message read with no reply. If your plans change and you can no longer come, that's okay, but we need to be informed so that we have enough time to find appropriate staffing from our waitlist of wonderful volunteers who are wanting to come out here and help! But it's impossible for anyone to drop everything and book a flight with just a couple days' notice -- thankfully we have found someone who can arrive in a week to take Elizabeth's place, but until then we are 1/4 of the team down, which puts more hours, heavy shifts, and stress on the rest of the volunteer team. We are disappointed for sure!(O Workawayer cancelou de última hora / ausente)
Feito pelo anfitrião para o Workawayer (melleopold)
I had the pleasure of hosting Mel at our nonprofit animal sanctuary between January and April, 2024.
Mel is an amazing young woman with good work ethics and a great personality. We normally have several volunteers staying together in a shared living space, and Mel always got along really well with everyone. She's easy to be around and always
… read more willing to pitch in where needed. She's a good friend and a hard worker and I'd love to have her back here again sometime in the future!
Helena
Executive Director
Deixado pelo Workawayer (melleopold) para o anfitrião
I had the privilege of spending an incredible three and a half months on the sanctuary. I arrived mid-January and was planning to stay through March, but ended up extending my time and staying through April (i would have loved to stay longer if i hadn't had other plans). My time at the place was truly an experience will never forget. From the
… read more people to the animals, I was always surrounded by love. The position certainly has its challenges- the work can be difficult and the animals need to eat even if you are having a bad day- but this makes for the most rewarding work and I always went to bed feeling satisfied. The accommodation was very cozy. Helena, the founder and director, has so much passion for the sanctuary and is incredibly hard working and in-tune and receptive to what the volunteers need. If we were ever to have an issue she was always there to help us. Becoming very close with the other people I lived with in the yurt was easy since we were all very similarly minded people doing the same work, and I still consider them to be some of my best friends. I am so grateful for my time here and can't wait until I return to the islands so I can visit!
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Edurne) para o anfitrião
I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible experience I had volunteering at the sanctuary over Winter Break. My time spent with your team and the amazing animals far exceeded my expectations, and I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful cause. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with open
… read more arms by your staff, despite my initial apprehensions about my limited experience working with farm animals. Their patience, guidance, and unwavering support made me feel like a valued member of the team from day one. It's clear that each and every one is deeply passionate about the well-being of the animals in their care, and their dedication is truly inspiring. As for the animals, I can't begin to express how incredible they are. Each creature at the sanctuary is a testament to the love and care they receive and they give. It was an absolute joy to spend time with them, and I'll cherish the memories of our interactions.
Overall, my experience at the sanctuary was nothing short of magical. Thank you for providing a safe haven for these beautiful animals, and for allowing me to be a part of their journey. I look forward to visiting again soon and continuing to support your important work in any way I can. My deepest appreciation for the sanctuaryFotos
Hi I'm Helena, the founder and executive director of our sanctuary!
Some of our fabulous live-in volunteers this summer
Our fall animal care team on a live-in volunteer's departure day (always so sad)! Featuring Phoebe, our family's dog <3
Our piggies love belly rubs, and check out the volunteer yurt in the background
We are located on the Hamakua Coast, which means beautiful rainforest and rainbows (and yes, rain!)
This group of fosters is called Libby and the Mamas, cute band name right?
Vincent, one of our special needs goats
Some of our sweet rescues from the 2018 lava flow evacuations
Two of our live-in volunteers last winter during their morning shift
The yurt has 5 individual pods with a bed, storage, and clothing rack. We provide all linens, but feel free to bring some photos or decorations from home!
The yurt has 5 individual pods with a bed, storage, and clothing rack. We provide all linens, but feel free to bring some photos or decorations from home!
Hot water shower outside the yurt
Our (vegan!) Thanksgiving feast. Yum!
Comentário
Essas classificações são opcionais e foram dadas junto com os comentários dos membros.A classificação média deixada por cada opção é exibida.
Precisão do perfil:
(5.0)
Intercâmbio cultural:
(4.9)
Feito pelo anfitrião para o Workawayer (Elizabeth )
We are a nonprofit animal sanctuary with 100+ animals, and we rely on our team of live-in volunteers, who we staff through a combination of Workaway and Indeed, for 100% of our animal care. Elizabeth messaged us, interviewed, was confirmed, and had a flight booked, but then from about a week out of her arrival date stopped communicating with us.
… read more Emails were not responded to, waivers went uncompleted, reminder texts were delivered but ignored, and a final Workaway message read with no reply. If your plans change and you can no longer come, that's okay, but we need to be informed so that we have enough time to find appropriate staffing from our waitlist of wonderful volunteers who are wanting to come out here and help! But it's impossible for anyone to drop everything and book a flight with just a couple days' notice -- thankfully we have found someone who can arrive in a week to take Elizabeth's place, but until then we are 1/4 of the team down, which puts more hours, heavy shifts, and stress on the rest of the volunteer team. We are disappointed for sure!(O Workawayer cancelou de última hora / ausente)
Feito pelo anfitrião para o Workawayer (melleopold)
I had the pleasure of hosting Mel at our nonprofit animal sanctuary between January and April, 2024.
Mel is an amazing young woman with good work ethics and a great personality. We normally have several volunteers staying together in a shared living space, and Mel always got along really well with everyone. She's easy to be around and always
… read more willing to pitch in where needed. She's a good friend and a hard worker and I'd love to have her back here again sometime in the future!
Helena
Executive Director
Deixado pelo Workawayer (melleopold) para o anfitrião
I had the privilege of spending an incredible three and a half months on the sanctuary. I arrived mid-January and was planning to stay through March, but ended up extending my time and staying through April (i would have loved to stay longer if i hadn't had other plans). My time at the place was truly an experience will never forget. From the
… read more people to the animals, I was always surrounded by love. The position certainly has its challenges- the work can be difficult and the animals need to eat even if you are having a bad day- but this makes for the most rewarding work and I always went to bed feeling satisfied. The accommodation was very cozy. Helena, the founder and director, has so much passion for the sanctuary and is incredibly hard working and in-tune and receptive to what the volunteers need. If we were ever to have an issue she was always there to help us. Becoming very close with the other people I lived with in the yurt was easy since we were all very similarly minded people doing the same work, and I still consider them to be some of my best friends. I am so grateful for my time here and can't wait until I return to the islands so I can visit!
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Edurne) para o anfitrião
I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible experience I had volunteering at the sanctuary over Winter Break. My time spent with your team and the amazing animals far exceeded my expectations, and I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful cause. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with open
… read more arms by your staff, despite my initial apprehensions about my limited experience working with farm animals. Their patience, guidance, and unwavering support made me feel like a valued member of the team from day one. It's clear that each and every one is deeply passionate about the well-being of the animals in their care, and their dedication is truly inspiring. As for the animals, I can't begin to express how incredible they are. Each creature at the sanctuary is a testament to the love and care they receive and they give. It was an absolute joy to spend time with them, and I'll cherish the memories of our interactions.
Overall, my experience at the sanctuary was nothing short of magical. Thank you for providing a safe haven for these beautiful animals, and for allowing me to be a part of their journey. I look forward to visiting again soon and continuing to support your important work in any way I can. My deepest appreciation for the sanctuary
Feito pelo anfitrião para o Workawayer (Katie)
We loved having Katie volunteer at our sanctuary last year. She is incredibly smart, curious, creative, and passionate. She was a positive addition to our team, going above and beyond for our animals, owning and running with projects assigned to her, and being open with feedback and questions. Katie had a lot of great ideas and we wanted her to
… read more feel empowered to make them happen. Katie wears her heart on her sleeve and would have done anything for our sanctuary's residents (animal or human). The sanctuary went through some really challenging times while Katie was here, but it only made the team closer in the end. I'd absolutely recommend hosting Katie, especially if the work is with animals or children. You won't find a sweeter, more compassionate volunteer than her!
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Katie) para o anfitrião
My three and a half month stay at the sanctuary was an experience I would not trade for anything. I am endlessly grateful for Helena and everyone on the team for welcoming me to their beautiful little corner of the world.
Aptly named, I do think the place is magic. I have now been away from the sanctuary for longer than I stayed there, and, with
… read more that clarity, I’ve compiled a comprehensive review.
The nature of the work here is quite varied, which I found engaging. Interns are given a variety of cleaning, feeding, animal babysitting and project shifts throughout the week. The schedule is transpicuous and organized, so you know what your workload looks like well ahead of time. They are a relatively new not for profit, and were very open to ideas I brought forward for fundraising and outreach. They also work well with the permitters of intern’s passions and interests; I spent most of my projects shifts drawing a colouring book and creating other small artsy pieces for the sanctuary. Come with ideas- they will listen!
And then, of course, there are the animals. It is pretty hard not to fall in love- four months since I left and I still think about those stinkers everyday. You get to spend the majority of your time with the whimsical menagerie- each one with a unique array of idiosyncrasies. With so many distinct and vibrant personalities, everyone has a few particular standouts by the time they leave the sanctuary. This makes for some hard goodbyes.
The Big Island has got this crazy magnitude about it and I feel there is something about living in such close proximity to molten lava that serves as a perspective change. Every day off is such an adventure- I hiked, surfed, swam, walked through snow, encountered more sea turtles than I can keep track of, saw lava, watched some great live music and found myself on places that didn’t feel like planet earth.
Although I could gush about the Aina and the sanctuary and all its magical residents for paragraphs, I think it is worth mentioning that this position may not be for everyone. The location, although beautiful, is quite remote and it can feel a bit isolating. I left feeling like I never got the chance to be immersed in the local community, and there were many days I never set foot off the property. You really do have to get used to a slower pace of life. This is a beautiful thing in theory and hindsight, but I definitely did feel a bit restricted.
When all is said and done, I wholeheartedly adored my time here and feel like the people I shared it with will be lifelong friends. If I had to describe the experience in one word, it would be immersive; from the second you are picked up from the airport you are caught up in the ever-changing tumbleweed of sanctuary life.Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Feito pelo anfitrião para o Workawayer (Hailey)
Hailey was a live-in volunteer at our nonprofit animal sanctuary in Hawaii for 3 months this spring. Her role was focused on animal care (feeding, cleaning, enrichment) for our 90+ farm animals, though she also contributed to our social media (TikTok) and property maintenance (such as fencing repairs and gardening). Hailey was an absolute joy to
… read more host at the sanctuary! She loved our animals unconditionally and was an outstanding team member -- training, supporting, and cheering on the rest of our volunteers (and always making us laugh). She was a hard worker and often even willing to help out outside of her scheduled shifts if we needed it. She always had a great attitude, even when her workload became heavier due to us being shorthanded. She was kind and respectful, eager to learn, respected our home, and represented our organization well. We'd love to have her back anytime, and recommend her to any host looking for a kind, passionate, responsible, and hard working volunteer.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Hailey) para o anfitrião
This was my first Workaway and it was an experience I would not trade for anything else. I stayed at the sanctuary from February to June of 2022. During my time, there were around 85 animals. On a typical day, you would be given anywhere from 4-6 hours of work including a feeding or cleaning shift, and one babysitting shift. Shifts can start early
… read more and end late, but there is usually plenty of time between shifts to explore the local waterfalls, hang around the yurt, or cuddle the animals. The work can be physically and mentally challenging. This would not be a good fit for someone who is trying to find an easy vacation; Helena has high (but not unreasonable) expectations from the volunteers. If you are passionate about animals and willing to work hard, you will thrive at the sanctuary. The animals and people make the work you do worthwhile. At the end of my three months, I learned all sorts of new skills such as weeding, mulching, and fencing. I made the best memories and I had such a hard time leaving. There are no words to describe this experience; there is no doubt that the sanctuary will leave a lasting impression on your heart. I love and miss you all so much!Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Kate) para o anfitrião
I had planned on taking a gap year after graduating in the summer of 2021. I spent months deciding what to do, where to go, and how to kickstart my plans into action. One morning I was looking on Workaway, and came across this listing. I read through the description, read all of the reviews and knew that this sanctuary was a place I wanted to
… read more spend my time. I was immediately jumping for joy when Ellie, the volunteer coordinator, messaged me back for an interview. After talking with Ellie and Helena, I became even more excited. I booked my flight and made my way from New Hampshire to Hawaii. I was picked up at the airport by one of the interns who was the sweetest, and most outgoing person I had ever met. I arrived at the sanctuary and was overwhelmed by kindness and beauty. The sanctuary sits on a pretty high elevation, and when you turn around you are surrounded by the ocean with some of the most breathtaking views. Right from the start Helena (The owner) welcomed me with open arms and the biggest smile.
I spent around four months at this amazing place and have nothing but good things to say. Working at the sanctuary is a good amount of work (working from around 7am-6pm, with multiple breaks in the day) but I have never met such an amazing community to support you. The people that Helena has surrounded herself with are incredible, from the local volunteers, to the live in admin team (Ray and John). Being surrounded by a community who wants to go above and beyond to improve the lives of animals, made my heart so full.
I hadn't worked with animals a ton before, but after these four months I have learned so much. Before coming to the sanctuary I had been vegan for a few years and always fostered a love for animals. I developed an even stronger connection with all of the animals, and really got to see their personalities. From Vincent (The star of the Sanctuary) who has the funniest and most sassy personality, to Menina who absolutely loves to eat anything you put in front of her. Every single animal who lives there is treated with the utmost respect, given the best care, and of course given tons of hugs and cuddles. Helena works all day making sure that all of the animals are cared for to the best of her ability. I would watch her perform countless hoof trims, vaccinations, fecals, amongst other things. She was always making sure that any animal she was performing health checks on had plenty of food, water, and of course love. Helena is the most compassionate, kind hearted, loyal, and funniest person I have ever met, and if you decide to volunteer at the sanctuary your experience will be nothing but phenomenal.Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Lan) para o anfitrião
I spent 3 months doing a Workaway here. I have so much respect, gratitude, and awe for the beauty that it all was.
The work can be physically and mentally tiring. Working at the sanctuary means you are there for the animals. Living in the country means you are subject to Mother Nature. You’ll have to be flexible and ready to help out when it’s
… read more needed - and sometimes this means giving up personal space & time. Know this before coming; but also know that you’ll be able to lean on the people around you to help. I have seen how open communication, especially with Helena, has led to a more sustainable and considerate working environment for volunteers.
At the end of the day, no matter how tired or dirty, you will always be able to find love from the animals, fellow volunteers, the land, and Helena. Sometimes it’s easy to forget, but you are all in this together.
This is the perfect place for someone who wants to learn more about animal care & rescue, life on a sanctuary, and how to truly dedicate yourself to a cause. If you find yourself there, take it all in - it’s worth it. Thank you Helena, and I wish all the best to everyone there too!Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Feito pelo anfitrião para o Workawayer (Alyssa)
Wow, where do I even begin to describe my experience with Alyssa..
I must admit I was a little bit hesitant when our volunteer coordinator told me she wanted to book Alyssa for an immediate start at the sanctuary. I run a nonprofit animal rescue and provide a home for all kinds of farmed animals here at the sanctuary, by the time of Alyssa's
… read more arrival we had over 60 animal residents. The work is often hard, it can be physically and emotionally draining, and you have to be able to improvise and come up with quick solutions on a daily basis.
Alyssa didn't have experience from working with farmed animals and she was younger than I normally prefer my volunteers to be. We require all volunteers to follow a plant based diet while at the sanctuary, and Alyssa wasn't even vegetarian at that time. I was worried she would be overwhelmed and not able to handle these changes.
Well, I'm very happy I listened to my volunteer coordinator and gave Alyssa a chance. She is hard working, with an amazing attitude. She dove head first into any projects I threw at her, always with a smile on her face. And she's hilarious! I have had so much fun having her around, something that was so well needed at that time when CoVid just started working it's way around the globe. Alyssa is a quick learner and soon began training new volunteers at the sanctuary. She ended up spending 3.5 months here with us and has continued to help with other volunteer tasks remotely after her departure.
Alyssa is someone I consider family, and she will always be welcome back here. I 100% highly recommend her for any future Workaway experiences.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Alyssa) para o anfitrião
An absolutely life changing experience. Staying at the sanctuary was my first work away experience. I truly don’t believe that my first experience could have been better. To begin, I flew all the way from Massachusetts to Hawaii right before COVID hit. Helena and Jessica (the interviewer and coordinator) were beyond helpful in getting me out
… read more before airlines shut down. They talked with me on the phone, texted me and made sure all my questions and concerns were answered. I arrived at the sanctuary and Helena greeted me with open arms! I was met at the door with baby goats in pajamas! SO cute! I spent three and half months at this little slice of heaven. I became deeply bonded with every single animal. The work is very hard, I worked sunrise to sunset, but I loved what I did so much it felt like nothing. I love the quote, “If you do what you love, you don’t work a day in your life”. That is exactly how I felt at the sanctuary. Yes, the work is hard but if you are passionate about animals this is the perfect place for you! Helena was an amazing host; I know she will be my friend for life. She taught me more than anyone has in my entire life. She taught me how to put on prosthetics, move pigs, check and address wounds on animals, put Vincent and Menina (Two special needs animals) in there wheelchairs, de worm animals and so much more! The other volunteers I met while I was there were amazing. We all made dinners with each other, laughed, and talked; it was this amazing little community. When I came to the sanctuary, I was not a vegan. Being vegan is required on the sanctuary and I was perfectly fine to adhere to this rule but didn’t really know why I was. After spending my almost four months there I am completely changed to a vegan. Those animals changed the way I looked at the world. I have even begun to influence my friends and family to become vegans! I cannot wait to be back at the sanctuary! Thank you to Helena, Mathias and Jessica for welcoming me with open arms. You have changed my life.Esta pessoa escolheu manter o perfil privado, mas você pode entrar em contato a respeito de comentários deixados por outros workawayers.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Danielle) para o anfitrião
I had an amazing experience here, Helena is an incredible host and it was so inspiring to help her with the beautiful sanctuary she created. The animals are also so friendly especially the sheep, pigs, calves and goats who run up to you for cuddles! The work can be hard but it's so worth it if you love animals and in the rainforest-like setting of
… read more the Hamakua coast you couldn't be in a better location. <3Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Nina) para o anfitrião
Thank you for such a great experience! I had an amazing time at the Sanctuary. It’s a very beautiful place with an ocean view and lovely animals, which all need lots of love and cuddles! Helena, the owner, was the best host I could’ve asked for. She really cares for all the animals and her volunteers and tries to give you the best experience
… read more possible. She is a truly inspiring person and the heart of the place.
The guest house we stayed in was super sweet and perfect for 2 volunteers with a kitchen and bathroom included.
The work can be quite physical, but always fun 😊
I’d definitely recommend this place to anyone who loves animals and isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty! 😋
Deixado pelo Workawayer (jessicasimmons) para o anfitrião
Volunteering here has been one of the best experiences of my life! I cherish the (human) friendships I made and the bonds I was able to form with the amazing animals there. I have volunteered at animal sanctuaries all over the world, and what Helena has created on her breathtakingly beautiful property is run with so much love and professionalism I
… read more was impressed every single day. Her mission is spot on, with a focus on outreach (especially to engage children) to help the many more animals who are not lucky enough to make it to sanctuary. She is also an exceptionally lovely person to be around and learn from, and I was inspired by her kindness, knowledge, and commitment. The property is extremely well managed, with excellent shelters and enrichment and pasture management to keep everyone healthy and happy. The volunteer accommodation is a gorgeous guest cottage - fully equipped, modern, and clean. The animals are all healthy, happy, and raised with so much love that they all have become absolute cuddle-bugs (even if they were rescued from the wild or neglectful/abusive situations). From sun up to sun down I was literally smothered in so much love from the animals, and also the wonderful people associated with the sanctuary, I thought my heart would burst!
The work is very physical and I was able to take my time and figure out ways to make it doable for me. And I got a fantastic workout in the process! Although I know Hawaii has many stunning natural places to explore and I had big plans to hike all over the island, I ended up not actually taking any time off because I loved being at the sanctuary so much! And the sanctuary itself is a complete Big Island experience, with dramatic weather (I actually came to love our super rainy days slipping and sliding through the mud and catching stunning rainbows), sweeping views, and lots of aloha. The basic animal care chores (primarily feeding, cleaning, grooming) takes about 5 hours per day, but I felt so connected with the endless work that needed to be done that I chose to spend much more time than that. I think this is a great opportunity as a single volunteer like I was, if you are looking for a fully immersive experience and look forward to working more like 6-8 hours/day x 6 days/week. There were 55 animals when I was there and I felt that every one could have soaked up all the love and pets I had to give so I was thrilled to spend all my free time with them, rolling in the mud with the pigs, taking pictures with the sheep (who are total selfie queens!), socializing the baby calves rescued from a dairy, grooming the horses, and doing extra chores and learning from Helena. Even into the evenings I was captivated by the sunsets over the huge ocean view, and night skies full of stars in the perfect silence and stillness after the animals were all tucked into their beds. I cannot wait to go back!Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Help at a non-profit forest permaculture site in Willits, CA, USA
Join our eco-friendly animal sanctuary in beautiful Temecula, CA, USA
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Learn new skills at our nonprofit farm animal sanctuary on Hawaii's Big Island, USA
Information for those planning to visit the US
If you are NOT a US CITIZEN and are planning to visit to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information you need to contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling. Do NOT attempt to enter the USA without the correct visa!
Trabalho beneficente
Jardinagem
Construção/faça você mesmo
Cuidar de animais
Ajuda em fazenda
Manutenção geral
Ajuda com computadores/internet
