In five years of travelling and volunteering, Tenerife Horse Rescue is the first sustainable project I have revisited — and I am astounded at the transformation! When I first came in April 2019, the sanctuary was operating with only the basics: running water, tools, a few horses, and a great vision for the future. Now, one and a half years later, I can truly appreciate how far the project has developed. Five volunteers have become twenty, many of whom now live here long-term. Before, we were small enough for everyone to work together on projects; now there are teams with specific roles and areas of responsibility.
I’ve mainly been involved with building and construction — creating natural stone walls, a pool for water filtration, an enclosure for the horses, and foundations for the yurt tent. Now, I can see my work put to use! The new gardening team has used the filtered greywater to feed the garden. The once-arid desert land is slowly transforming into a green utopia filled with vegetables and plants surrounding the horse paddocks. The stone walls have expanded, new techniques are being used with glass bottles and mud plaster, and I’m now helping build a cool house for food storage. We specifically designed it with airflow and chicken wire in the walls to keep out rodents.
Sustainable Food
The food situation has improved since my last visit. The project now receives donations from a bakery, and a local supermarket supplies surplus food twice a week. Another supermarket may soon join the effort. It takes a lot to feed twenty volunteers and hundreds of animals, so it’s impressive that we can live off waste food that would otherwise be discarded. The kitchen, built within the last year, is the heart of the finca. One volunteer prepares breakfast and lunch each weekday, and on Thursday evenings we share a communal meal. I love this style of eating and sharing together as a community.
Sustainable Energy
At a sustainable project, renewable energy is vital. Solar panels now provide electricity and Wi-Fi — luxuries that weren’t available during my first visit — along with a functioning toilet and shower! Before, I slept in a tent; now, I sleep outside in a canyon beneath the stars. New structures and cave houses have been built by volunteers, some decorated with recycled furniture from the weekly flea market. The project continues to grow, creating a true home for both people and animals. It’s exciting to play a small part in this journey.
We’re now sharing our story through social platforms, experimenting with a YouTube reality series, and even appearing on TV. The vision is ambitious — to expand further and rescue more horses and animals — if we can raise funds to secure a larger area of land.
Return to the Desert
In my experience, volunteering is the most meaningful way to travel — especially with sustainable projects. It’s an exchange of time and skills, helping others while learning in return. You become part of the local community and experience a place in ways tourists never can. Here, the balance between work and play is perfect. Working hours at the horse rescue are from 8:30 to 14:00, Monday to Friday — leaving plenty of time to enjoy Tenerife’s mountains, ocean, and sunshine.
It’s the ideal environment for animal and nature lovers, with opportunities to hike, horse ride, surf, climb, or simply play and cuddle with the animals. Currently, we’re hoping to buy more land to expand our finca and help more animals. You can support this cause by donating here.
