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8 Jan 2025
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Description
We are a grassroots non-profit organization providing aid to Venezuelan refugees (caminantes) and to the local community in Pamplona. We work with shelters along the caminantes' route providing mobile aid, food, and information to Venezuelans. We also support community projects in order to meet the needs of vulnerable people in Pamplona. Some of the project are in partnership with local foundations.
We are in Colombia in response to a crisis. As the situation is often in flux, we have taken on a variety of projects as they have arisen. Every day is different and requires flexibility as tasks may vary. Day to day responsibilities are organized by international coordinators. We are looking for volunteers to keep all our projects running - we require a minimum of three weeks stay. Our team is made up of 10/15 international volunteers and Colombian/Venezuelan staff.
Pamplona is a lovely university town, nestled in the mountains; it has a young energetic vibe, and is very safe. There are lots of cute little cafes in the center, and some hiking in the surrounding mountains.Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkArt ProjectsLanguage practiceTeachingGardeningDIY and building projectsBabysitting and creative playCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
As you are working with caminantes, the work can be emotionally challenging. You will see difficult situations first hand. But, you get to be part of a close knit team that is helping people, which is very rewarding. You will be working with people who do not speak English, so Spanish language skills are very useful, but not essential.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Every day is busy. Volunteers participate in a variety of activities, which often start early in the morning and end late in the evening. In total, we expect volunteers to work 4-5 hours daily.
In shelters for Venezuelan migrants, volunteers help to clean, cook, serve meals, lead activities with kids, and run a first aid clinic. Volunteers also accompany mobile aid trips, distributing food and supplies to migrants who are walking along the highway.
Alongside projects that serve the migrant population, volunteers participate in a variety of community projects. These include English lessons, creative workshops, and nutrition programmes in community centers in Pamplona’s vulnerable neighborhoods.
We encourage volunteers to apply their skills and experiences to the projects. Teaching experience and creative skills are valuable assets for community projects. In the shelters, we particularly need volunteers with medical training to help run our first aid clinic. A working knowledge of Spanish is helpful but not a requirement. Overall, we encourage anyone who is interested in our projects to apply!Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.Accommodation
We have a volunteer house with six bedrooms and 2-4 beds in each room. There is internet and laundry in the house, two fully-equipped kitchens, and 2 1/2 bathrooms. We also have a rooftop where you can work out or relax. We receive groceries for the house once a week. Food is shared, but volunteers are responsible for cooking their own meals.
Volunteers cover the cost of their food, which is 32,000 COP per day (about 7-8 USD). Payments are collected at the end of every month or at the end of your stay.
Additionally, we have a small studio apartment available for couples or families. There is an additional cost associated with that apartment, and it is not always available, but you can check in with us. That studio has one large bed, one set of bunk beds, and a bathroom and shower.What else ...
I first began refugee work in Lebanon in 2016, and have also spent time on Lesvos, a Greek island with thousands of refugees. The situation in Colombia is dire and has received very little international aid. We are doing everything we can to raise awareness and bring support to the desperate Venezuelan population that is fleeing their country.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have had a number of digital nomads volunteer with us, just keep in mind that while with us, your priority must be refugee projects. If your work is flexible and you are able to do it around projects, we'd love to have you join us! There is decent internet at the volunteer house, and a number of nice cafes with internet in town.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (41)
The work with the refugees includes tasks in the shelters like cleaning, preparing meals or kids play and tasks on the road like giving refugees a ride to the next… read more
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The work with the refugees includes tasks in the shelters like cleaning, preparing meals or kids play and tasks on the road like giving refugees a ride to the next… read more
I was working with both Venezuelan refugees and the local community. It is good that you are involved in a variety of activities. I felt like I was helping some way in all the activities/projects.
The other volunteers and the staff I worked alongside were great people. I… read more
The coordinaters were very nice as well as the local employees. The projects were very interesting too. I extended my stay because I was feeling too well :) I really recomend thos workaway
While the work here is somewhat different to what I initially imagined and had understood, I still enjoyed (to say the least) my 9 weeks in Pamplona. Because I stayed for two months I even had the chance to start a reading programme at two community foundations for children (teaching reading is my old metier). I…… read more
It was our first time having a family volunteering and we were unsure how it would go, but they were very easily integrated among our team, very easy going, happy to help and flexible, so everything went smoothly. They are all enthusiastic, always positive and energic… read more
It is definitly intense work, but the depending on the amount of volunteers it varies day to day. The venezuelan people are full of hope and love and are so fun to talk to and be with. It is helpful to know a but if spanish so you… read more
Bethany created an amazing project, where volunteers from all over the world get to support local people that set up places/programs for migrants from Venezuela. I'm really happy to have made that experience.
You will get the feeling of helping for a very good cause! 🧡
When I was there in September 2022 we got to… read more
What a team ! What a big part of my trip in Colombia ! I really miss my time there today !
Diversity of missions, amazing people we're working with, a great students city, top supervisors (Stella and Lucy thanks for everything 🙏)...
After this kind of experience you definitely change your mind and I'm… read more
It's super fun to live in the Volunteers house with all of the others, it's like an amazing big family and a lot of the other volunteers are still really good friends💗
I really enjoyed the work there, it's sometimes a lot and… read more
I loved working with the NGO and everybody including. Originally I was only supposed to stay there for 4- 6 weeks but ended up staying for 2 months and returning for another week to see the people working in the Shelters. During my stay I felt super safe, comfortable and like I was part of a family with whom I still keep in… read more
This experience was really meaningful for me. Even when you are not in direct contact with the caminantes, you are still helping in vital ways and it is important to remember that. My Spanish was far from fluent so I was very nervous in my first week, but I got the hang of… read more
Although it is a small organization (there're usually around 10 volonteers at the time), our objectives are well determined, allowing us to be dealing directly… read more
It's a fast paced project and you need to be flexible and willing to work hard. You work 6 days a… read more
During her month with us, Brianna had the opportunity to help us by cooking for the migrants, taking care of the children, teaching English and simply passing on her joy of life to people in difficulties. In all the… read more
We loved Harmonie's energy and enthusiasm and wish she could've stayed longer!
She was very proactive the whole time and a perfect match to our group. Harmonie was incredible with the refugees' kids.
We wish her the best with her travels !
I definitely recommend it to work with.
Thank you y'all
Peace
Harmonie
We absolutely love this guy and wish he could've stayed longer!
He embraced the work here and became such an important part of the team. He carried the projects well and had a fiery passion for helping the Venezuelan Caminantes at the shelters, on mobile aid, and everywhere really.
Easy to get along with and incredibly… read more
It is impossible to be in a bad mood with her influence around. She is always smiling, supporting everyone around her, and bringing life into the room. Always keenly aware of how other's are doing.
So adaptable, she was able to thrive in her own unique way in every situation and project.… read more
Highly ambitious and up for all challenges, she was always eager to be as involved as she could, to learn as much as she could. Regardless of how uncomfortable the work could get, this fearless girl always went in full force.
She connects well with all people, and has created life-long friendships with our… read more
We loved having him with us and appreciate all the value he brought to here.
Benito thinks in a very practical way that helps ground all the high hopes and ambitions that go around. He is incredibly intelligent and will challenge your thinking through very respectful and intentional conversations. He engaged in every project… read more