Portuguese Animal Welfare Sanctuary

  France

  Portugal

  Spain

• Madrid: 
Madrid
• Salamanca: 
Salamanca
• All Other Areas: 
Bilbao,  San Sebastian,  Tarragona

Length of Position: 1 week plus
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: We have several programmes available...

We plant orchards/olive groves to offset people's carbon footprint when they travel with us, there is always more planting and maintenance to be done.

We are aiming for self-sufficiency on our eco-retreat within the next 18-24 months, knowledge and an interest in horticulture, permaculture, renewable energy sources will be very useful. There is lots of planning, construction and cultivating to be done.

We have an animal sanctuary that rehabilitates abused animals and gives them a loving home for life. We are currently working with the Portuguese government to set up a local training scheme to teach the locals how to better look after their animals. You can be a part of educating these locals and of course helping with animal rehabilitation.

We do horse riding treks along the river Tagus, Alentejan wine trails and to the atlantic coast. If you have horse-riding experience, a sense of adventure and love camping... this could be the position for you. You will guide tours of small numbers through beautiful counryside, mix with locals, enjoy horses, sunshine, great food and wine...

We have a schooner that we hope to have sail a Vasgo de Gama route to raise awareness on human rights, world food production issues and the importance of addressing climate change. We currently have places for experienced boat men/women. Their is a project this fall/winter to get the boat painted, scrubbed up and also to hook as much corporate sponsorship as possible and work on a pr campaign for the voyage.

On our Quinta you will learn about the region, about sustainable living, about all sorts of animals, about entrepreneurship/innovative sustainable growth, not-for-profit organisations... and the list goes on.

If this interests you, get in touch and we'll see about accommodating your application as best we can.

Highlights: Opportunities to travel around europe.

Living on a beautiful quinta with a lake for fishing, kayaking, horseriding and a pool for cooling down after a hard days work in the fields.

Live amongst donkeys, sheep, a parrot, budgies, prairie dogs, a llama, horses, mules, dogs, fish, goats, chickens, ducks.. etc etc.. Learn about animal rehabilitation.

Become familiar with European Common Agricultural Policy

Learn about the day to day running of a charity and how to source funding and government grants for non-profit projects.

Mix and mingle with the warm and welcoming Alentejan locals

Sample the beautiful food and wine in "The breadbasket of Portugal"

Qualifications: TEFL teachers to teach Portuguese/French required. Prior experience not essential but preferred. References will be checked.

Minimum Education: Bachelors

Cost in US$: $700 p.w

Salary / Pay: Room and Board plus salary DOE

Experience Required: yes

Preferred not essentail

Typical Volunteer: To date all of our volunteers have come from very different walks of life, diverse backgrounds, diverse faiths/nationalities. Everybody has bonded based on their unique stories, travels, cultures, experiences and skill sets. You will be asked to give us a written application on why you want to volunteer and several other specific questions when considered for a position. We care about people's motives.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4-6

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Rio Tejo Retreats's Mission Statement: To help support the local economy of the Alentejo region, by bringing sustainable, low environmental impact, rural development to the region in the form of eco-tourism.

Year Founded: 2008