The social humanitarian mission in Cartagena that we offer is focused around the neighborhood of La Boquilla. It is a fishing village with Afro-Caribbean roots located in the far north of Cartagena. For tourists, it is a beach and a place of relaxation, but behind the scenes, its underprivileged residents work every day to provide for their families.
Although exclusive hotels and luxury apartments can be found in La Boquilla, there is a marked contrast between the area favored by real estate investors and the part inhabited by people forgotten by the government, who mainly depend on fishing.
To address the extreme poverty of the communities, associations and projects have emerged to support the most vulnerable population. These foundations aim to distribute supplies, equipment, and care to children, youth, and adults. These local associations manage various programs in which volunteers can participate.
Different projects are open to international volunteers. Two weeks before your arrival, a video meeting with the project coordinator will be organized. This meeting is an opportunity for the coordinator to meet and manage the volunteers’ expectations.
Based on your needs, passions, talents, skills, interests, experience, and level of Spanish, the coordinator will suggest the projects that best suit you, and then a weekly plan will be established.
You can participate in music workshops (drum making, parades…), coconut workshops and community work (social networks for selling coconut-based products, product manufacturing), stray dog and cat shelter (washing animals, feeding them, optimizing the adoption and awareness process), reintegration of troubled youth (drug awareness and prevention, parent awareness, discussions, games…), activities at the local church (helping prepare and distribute lunch for children), academic support with the children of La Boquilla, aged 3 to 12 (teaching English, music, art, theater, games, sports…).
Duration during the week | Budget total mission |
|---|---|
2 weeks | 1010 € |
3 weeks | 1115 € |
4 weeks | 1370 € |
5 weeks | 1580 € |
6 weeks | 1880 € |
7 weeks | 2185 € |
8 weeks | 2510 € |
The project coordinator will host international volunteers.
Depending on availability, you will have a private room with a bathroom and air conditioning. The other room is private with a shared bathroom and a fan.
You can buy food and store it in the refrigerator. You have access to the kitchen to cook your meals if you do not wish to include the meals offered by the local organization.
The project coordinator can accommodate 2 people at the same time. If her house is not available, you will be accommodated in a family-owned hotel belonging to one of the NGO members. You will have your own room with a private bathroom and air conditioning. This family-owned hotel is located a 10-minute walk from the project coordinator’s house and a 10-20 minute mototaxi ride from the projects.
WiFi is available at the host’s house and the family-owned hotel.
We recommend a weekly budget of 90 USD for meals, excursions, and mototaxis to reach the projects. All projects are located between a 10 to 20-minute drive from the accommodation.
Arrival Airport: Cartagena (CTG)
This city is filled with history, from the first discovery of gold mines by the Spanish to the five terrible sieges of the city by pirates in the 16th century, the most famous (or infamous) of which was led by Sir Francis Drake!
La Boquilla is a community of Afro-descendants dedicated mainly to tourism and fishing. It is located at what could be called the “entrance” of the Ciénaga de la Virgen.
Additional Information
– Work starts on Monday, so you need to be in La Boquilla the Sunday before.
– Longer stays are possible upon request, keeping in mind that 3 months is the duration of a tourist visa.
– Available year-round, except for educational projects that close during school vacations in June and December.
– Maximum of 4 volunteers per time.
– Intermediate Spanish level is necessary to perform certain tasks and to interact with the local population, who do not speak English.
– Travel/health insurance is mandatory.
– The work can sometimes be physically and/or psychologically demanding. Volunteers must be disciplined, responsible, motivated, hardworking, flexible, patient, and proactive.
To work with children, it is necessary to have prior experience with children and an intermediate level of Spanish.
You must also have insurance coverage for risks and accidents.
