Relaunching Volunteering at Azahara

Experience a unique service programme aimed at cultivating love and service through contemplation, land and hospitality activities, and traditional study.

APPLICATIONS TEMPORARILY CLOSED

After a period of change, we are excited to relaunch volunteering at Azahara. This updated programme includes some meaningful changes. Alongside having an onsite volunteering manager, we’ve introduced a more structured approach to ensure consistency and positive outcomes for everyone involved.

The programme will now focus on land and hospitality, alongside contemplation and the classes that are being held in Azahara maybe accessible to volunteers but are an add on, which will be paid for separately.

APPLICATIONS TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Land based service

    • Olive care: we have over a hundred olive trees that we care for and harvest the olives for various uses. Heavy tools and machinery may be used for different stages of olive care. In general, the type of work for the olives include harvesting the fruits, bringing the olive crates to the mill, pruning the trees, and collecting the branches.

    • Gardening: there are a few vegetable gardens where we grow and harvest vegetables. As such, they need daily tending to and the tasks include but not limited to sowing, weeding, watering, mulching, planting, and harvesting.

    • Harvesting and preparing herbs or vegetables to make products e.g. teas.

    • Helping to maintain the irrigation system.

  • Knowledge of sustainable agriculture, permaculture, composting, watering systems, and other gardening-related skills.

    Physical strength and endurance.

    Self-motivated and able to work independently and in a team.

Hospitality based service

  • Hospitality plays an important role in ensuring a comfortable stay for guests. By creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, we are following the footsteps of the Prophet (saw) as he once said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the last day, let him honour his guest.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

    Tasks include:

    • Greet guests upon arrival and ensure their comfort.

    • Take guests on a quick tour around Azahara.

    • Serving tea, coffee and food.

    • Help guests check out.

    • Laundry room management.

    • Passionate about receiving and serving guests beautifully.

    • Diligent and attentive to details.

    • Friendly and welcoming.

    • Experienced

  • To be in charge of the shopping lists and menus

    To be the main cook for the volunteers and staff, lunch and dinner

    To make sure the kitchen area is kept clear and clean

    You will be supported by a sous chef if needed.

  • Ito follow the instructions of the kitchen manager when preparing meals.

    To water all the plants on the terrace

    To keep the terrace and terrace bathroom clean and ready for guests.

    To welcome guests and make tea/coffee for them, if needed

  • Prepare houses for guests.

    Take charge of laundry for the houses.

    Clean communal spaces.

FAQ on Volunteering at Azahara

    • Volunteers are expected to stay for a minimum of a one month period and a maximum period of 3 months on a case-by-case basis. Please do get in touch where you are unable to volunteer for a month.

    • Volunteers should be hardworking, compassionate, respectful and have a passion for service.

    • The legal right to reside in Spain for the duration of the volunteering period.

    • Minimum age of 18 years.

    • At least two professional references.

    • Able to live in community.

  • Yes. We have accommodation for volunteers and the majority of meals are cooked by the volunteer kitchen manager

  • Female volunteers are accommodated in the ladies zawiyah,/ large room with 4 beds and a bathroom

    Male volunteers are accommodated in a traditional Arab tent neighbouring their bathrooms and toilets.

  • The nearest airports are Malaga and Granada. There are buses to Granada where you can take the bus to Lanjaron, our nearest village. Once there, someone from Azahara will pick you up. This can be arranged nearer the arrival date. Note that travelling expenses are covered by volunteers themselves. It is also possible to travel by taxi to Azahara from either of these airports.

    • The days at Azahara are structured around the 5 daily prayers.

    • We try and organise most of the work in the morning before Dhuhr but we do have community events and retreats, when the work hours are different

    • Reflection journals shall be provided

    • Traditional study, Sunna sports maybe offered, but there would be a charge to participate in these classes. .

    • All volunteers shall be required to participate in some cooking and cleaning during their stay. Tasks may vary depending on which events are happening at Azahara during your stay. 

    • Personal and communal areas are to be kept clean and tidy.

    • All volunteers will be expected to work a minimum of 5 hours per day., 5 days a week.

    • During the days off, we sometimes spend them together eg. visits to Granada, Orgiva and to the beach

“Volunteering at Azahara changed my life. Being given responsibility helped me develop my skills and character. In the presence of such beautiful company, I was continuously inspired. I never could have imagined that such a program or place existed and I am eternally grateful for this experience. ”

—2024 Volunteer