Amigos Welcome Service
Following a successful pilot in 2012 the American Pilgrims on the Camino, the Confraternity of St James in the United Kingdom, the Irish Society of the Friends of St. James and the Dutch Asspociation Het Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob, will provide the Amigos Welcome Service in the Pilgrims’ Office in Santiago from May – October 2013.
Through the Amigos Welcome Service volunteers live in Santiago in an apartment provided free of charge although they are responsible for their own travel and subsistence costs. They work in the Pilgrims’ Office providing a warm welcome and congratulations to all arriving pilgrims. They also provide advice, support and information to English speaking pilgrims. The name “Amigos” defines the role.
Amigos are also ambassadors for the associations of which they are members and can highlight for arriving pilgrims what these associations can offer pilgrims back home. Therefore applicants should normally be a member of one of these organisations.
What skills should Amigos have?
Amigos need:
• To have walked/cycled to Santiago for a sufficient distance to qualify for a Compostela.
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to listen to and empathise with other people.
• To have a pleasant disposition and be able to work as a part of a team.
• To at least be competent in conversational Spanish sufficient to answer questions and give directions. Knowledge of another European language would be an advantage particularly French, German or Italian. We also welcome some applications from people who have embarked on learning Spanish through study and for whom being an Amigo would be a valuable experience. We will try to match them with an Amigo with more advanced language skills.
• To be able to commit to working in the Welcome Service for at least 2 weeks between May and October 2013.
• To be sufficiently physically fit to be active and on their feet for a full working day for a period of at least two weeks.
If you would like further information or to apply please e mail the coordinator:
johnniewalker-santiago@hotmail.com
Application packs with further information will be sent out from 7 January 2012.
Following a successful pilot in 2012 the American Pilgrims on the Camino, the Confraternity of St James in the United Kingdom, the Irish Society of the Friends of St. James and the Dutch Asspociation Het Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob, will provide the Amigos Welcome Service in the Pilgrims’ Office in Santiago from May – October 2013.
Through the Amigos Welcome Service volunteers live in Santiago in an apartment provided free of charge although they are responsible for their own travel and subsistence costs. They work in the Pilgrims’ Office providing a warm welcome and congratulations to all arriving pilgrims. They also provide advice, support and information to English speaking pilgrims. The name “Amigos” defines the role.
Amigos are also ambassadors for the associations of which they are members and can highlight for arriving pilgrims what these associations can offer pilgrims back home. Therefore applicants should normally be a member of one of these organisations.
What skills should Amigos have?
Amigos need:
• To have walked/cycled to Santiago for a sufficient distance to qualify for a Compostela.
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to listen to and empathise with other people.
• To have a pleasant disposition and be able to work as a part of a team.
• To at least be competent in conversational Spanish sufficient to answer questions and give directions. Knowledge of another European language would be an advantage particularly French, German or Italian. We also welcome some applications from people who have embarked on learning Spanish through study and for whom being an Amigo would be a valuable experience. We will try to match them with an Amigo with more advanced language skills.
• To be able to commit to working in the Welcome Service for at least 2 weeks between May and October 2013.
• To be sufficiently physically fit to be active and on their feet for a full working day for a period of at least two weeks.
If you would like further information or to apply please e mail the coordinator:
johnniewalker-santiago@hotmail.com
Application packs with further information will be sent out from 7 January 2012.
