Profile information
Host rating
90 %
Last replied
29 Oct 2024
Reply rate
78.6 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
32
Email verified
Badges (2)
Find your perfect host
Details
Description
I am welcoming people, preferably two at a time, to help at the sanctuary and general improving of our off grid lifestyle.
1. Happy to live in off grid situation
2. You will sleep in nice tent or a house in village
3. You are happy to poo pick after horses, donkeys and dogs.
4. Mature attitude
5. Smiling faces!
6. Eat vegetarian and vegan food…..lots of beans, lentils and veggies!
7. You are flexible. Priorities are always changing and sometimes we have to stop what we are doing to do something more urgent.
8. Comfortable around horses and donkeys and dogs and cats.
9. No smoking or consumption of alcohol or drugs.
10. Enjoy a simple lifestle.
my partner and I (from Scotland and England) haverun a donkey sanctuary in a remote location in the mountains of south east crete since 2006. We also have horses, a pony and dogs and cats. We are a registered non profit organisation in Greece and as such rely on help from volunteers. We take in donkeys that are old unwanted and often abused and they live their last days in freedom and knowing they are loved. The dogs we have here are dumped in the area and we look after them until we can find a new home for them. Some of them will stay with us forever. We have olive trees .
In the tourist season we sometimes get visitors who like to walk around and learn about all the animals and our work.
During the summer months of July and August it can be very very hot . We go to beach every afternoon and can take volunteers down to the town beaches if they like.
The area that the sanctuary is in is amazingly scenic but very rural and remote.
I also make craft items to sell in monthly online fundraising auctions - so anybody with artistic talent willing to help by donating their work would be so appreciated.
in the last year things have changed somewhat with Alistair’s ill health and I find myself in need of self sufficient help.Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkArt ProjectsHelp with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Anatoli is a traditional village. The locals are mainly farmers and mainly more elderly. Although they do not speak english they are very friendly to visitors. There are minoan sights in the area.
Help
Ideally we would like help for about 3 hours each day for 5 days a week. On somedays we may ask for help for longer than these times and it is essential that you can be flexible as working on the land and with animals is always unpredictable. We would prefer long term stays but minimum would be 2 weeks please.
Daily tasks involve - cleaning manure from fields and shelters, feeding and cleaning water containers, Making sure all animals appear healthy, treating any that need treatment. Walking and feeding and cleaning dogs. grooming animals and generally getting to know them all. There are also general tasks such as tidying up, clearing vegetation.
Duties vary according to the time of year, in summer months we would want you to help out in split shifts, early morning and early evening. In winter and spring time we would like help in the morning although sometimes would ask that you do a split shift.
No experience is necessary but a genuine love of animals and sense of humour and willingness to help with whatever task presents itself, is. We want people who are cheerful.
At the end of the summer months there is always repair and construction projects that needs to be done to keep our animals safe and warm and dry over the winter. In the spring time we need to tidy and prepare for visitors. In the hot summer months all physical hard tasks are done early morning and late afternoon. Barring emergencies we do not work when it gets too hot and do not expect this of volunteers.
We work according to daylight hours and as such often start early in the morning.
in the winter time, if possible, we would like to collect our olives so that we can make olive oil.
BEFORE APPLYING PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:-
Helpers must be
1) flexible and cheerful and not 'clock watchers'.
2) Willing to follow instructions and NOT just do things their own way.
3) Put the needs of the animals before their own needs
4) Understand that the chores can be mundane and boring at times but the animals must be made as comfortable as possible at all times.
5) Happy to help with whatever taskLanguages spoken
English: Fluent
Greek: BeginnerAccommodation
There is no internet connection. Please arrange something with your phone provider.
Accommodation will be basic . Either in our house in village or be a tent with airbeds and blankets (please bring your own towels and sheet sleeping bag). Water in the summer is usually sparse so we have to be careful. There is a toilet and shower at sanctuary.
Work starts at 7.30 in summer with animal feeding. If staying in house there is a 30 minute downhill walk to sanctuary
Breakfast provided on working days.
Unless you are very happy to be on your own, this position is best suited to a couple of friends.
I live on site.
STRICTLY NO SMOKING PLEASEWhat else ...
Experience living in a traditional cretan mountain village. If you enjoy nature and quietness this is for you. Working with donkeys is something that most people adore, they are amazing animals and very affectionate.
The only night life in the village is sitting in the cafenion and watching and chatting to the locals who are always very interested in visitors.
The village of Anatoli is quite remote. During school terms there is a bus leaving the village before 7 in the morning and returning around 2-3 in the afternoon, This goes to the town of Ierapetra.
There are beautiful walks from the village and sanctuary, arcaelogical sites to visit and plenty of interesting birds and flowers.
We have many rare and unusual flowers in the area and if you are interested in birds you will enjoy seeing a variety of birds including the griffon vultures who have a colony nearby.
There is an early morning bus to the town of ierapetra and the sea - which returns in the afternoon. It is always possible to get a lift to the town with one of our neighbours or ourselves if we are going.
We retire into our caravan at the sanctuary when it gets dark and do not socialise in the evenings. Volunteers must be happy to spend time alone - lots of books to read, dvds to watch or go to the cafenion.
There are beaches about 20 minutes drive away.
Fabulous walking, bird watching, archaelogical sites, mountain biking.
Cars and scooters can be hired in the town of Ierapetra.
There is an early morning bus from the village which returns mid afternoon to the town.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
There are wild camping opportunities close to sanctuary
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 3 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (15)
A little late in writing this, but I wanted to say thank you for having me at the sanctuary in February. :)
It really shows how much you care for all animals, making them your first priority, even taking on more when your place is already full. I had a great experience being surrounded by the different kinds of fur… read more
I spent 2 months on your sanctuary and I really enjoy been there. I've never been away from home for such a long time and you make it the most beautiful. Thank you for that! You are so lovely with the donkeys and with the volunteers too (: You were very thankful which makes you very kind and lovely persons! Ohh and Suzie… read more
Photos
Feedback
A little late in writing this, but I wanted to say thank you for having me at the sanctuary in February. :)
It really shows how much you care for all animals, making them your first priority, even taking on more when your place is already full. I had a great experience being surrounded by the different kinds of fur… read more
I spent 2 months on your sanctuary and I really enjoy been there. I've never been away from home for such a long time and you make it the most beautiful. Thank you for that! You are so lovely with the donkeys and with the volunteers too (: You were very thankful which makes you very kind and lovely persons! Ohh and Suzie… read more
The donkeys, horses and dogs are all beautifully cared for and it was a real pleasure to help out with the cleaning early morning and late afternoon/evening and to get to know the donkeys in particular. The longer you are… read more
For me walking around in the mountains scooping donkey droppings was a very enjoyable and meditative way to spend my day and the donkeys are lovely,… read more