Join our NGO to provide critical aid to Venezuelan refugees in Pamplona, Colombia

Details

• 

  Description

  We are a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Venezuelan refugees (caminantes) and vulnerable members of the local community in Pamplona. Along the caminantes' route, we collaborate with shelters to provide mobile aid, food, and essential information to those on the move. In Pamplona itself, we work on community-based projects—some in partnership with local foundations—to address the needs of those most at risk.
  
  Our presence in Colombia is a direct response to a humanitarian 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 our international coordinators.
  
  We are looking for committed volunteers to help keep our projects running. A minimum stay of three weeks is required. Our team typically includes 10 to 15 international volunteers, alongside dedicated Colombian and Venezuelan staff.
  
  Pamplona is a vibrant university town nestled in the mountains. It’s known for its youthful energy, safety, and charm. The town center is filled with cozy cafés, and the surrounding mountains offer beautiful opportunities for hiking and exploration.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
• 

  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

  ...

  ...

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  What's this?
• 

  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.

• 

  Registered charity

  This host is a registered charity in their country and is looking for volunteers to help with their project(s).

• 

  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

• 

  Help

  Every day is busy. Volunteers take part in a wide range of activities, often beginning early in the morning and continuing into the evening. On average, we ask volunteers to contribute between 4 to 6 hours per day, 25 hours per week in total.
  
  Our shelter projects focus on providing essential support and protection for migrants and refugees on the move.
  
  Limited access to healthcare is one of the biggest challenges faced by people in transit, which is why our team offers basic medical orientation, emergency detection, and triage. We provide wound care, make referrals when needed, and share crucial health information to help people stay safe on the route. For this reason, we are always looking for volunteers with medical experience, such as nurses or doctors, to strengthen our team.
  
  Our information team works to ensure that all migrants and refugees are aware of their rights, the services available to them along the protection route, and how to best care for their safety and well-being while traveling. Accessible, reliable information can make a life-changing difference for people navigating uncertainty and risk.
  
  Our child-focused activities give children fleeing their countries a moment to simply be kids, to play, create, and feel safe. These activities also give parents a much-needed break and allow us to have private, sensitive conversations with them without exposing children to potentially distressing topics.
  
  Alongside the projects that serve the migrant population, volunteers also participate in a variety of community-based initiatives. These include English lessons, creative workshops, and nutrition programmes in community centers located in Pamplona’s more vulnerable neighbourhoods. Strengthening local communities plays an important role in helping them cope with the continuous flow of migrants and refugees, creating a more stable environment for everyone. These programmes not only support local families but also benefit the Venezuelans who choose to settle in Pamplona.
  
  In our new shelter, we also have a garden that needs significant care and development. We are currently looking for someone with experience in gardening or landscaping who could dedicate their volunteer time and skills to creating a beautiful green space. This garden will become a valuable resource and a place of rest and beauty for migrants and refugees, the local community, and of course the shelter staff.
  
  Volunteers cover the cost of their food, which is 37,000 COP per day (about 8–9 USD). Payments are collected at the end of every month or at the end of your stay. The volunteer fee covers the cost of food, accommodation, internet, laundry, and the transport required for certain projects. It is fully reinvested into the expenses associated with hosting volunteers and ensuring the project can operate effectively during their stay.
  
  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: Fluent

  This 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 37,000 COP per day (about 8-9 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

• 

  My animals / pets
• 

  This host charges a fee

  read more

  Why does Workaway allow some hosts to charge a fee?

  
  

  Workaway provides opportunities for non-monetary cultural exchanges where hosts provide food and accommodation in return for help from Workawayers. In some exceptional cases, a small fee/ donation request (typically no more than 5 dollars per day) may be approved for hosts such as registered charities with a history of positive volunteer feedback. Any fee must directly go to the charity and can only be used to cover the volunteers' food costs. This will be clearly marked on the host's listing.
  

  Listings by agents, "middle-men" or projects that appear to profit from a volunteer's stay are strictly prohibited. Any fees must be discussed and approved in advance by the Workaway team.

  37,000 COP, around 8-9 USD for the daily food costs

Website Safety

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

+32

Feedback (42)