Reputable NGO in Galicia to support?

[TreshaA2]

Am walking the Central Portuguese Route with the Spiritual Variant hopefully in May 2022. I would love to honor a local NGO in Galicia by suggesting that friends and family make donations in honor of my "way." Suggestions that I can start researching? I am interested in supporting any orphanages, places with food insecurity, free medical clinics... you get the idea. Thanks in advance!

 

[JabbaPapa]

Most NGOs are for profit organisations in disguise.

The best exceptions I've found are nuns, taking all they receive and just forwarding it all where needed, including perhaps direct hands-on participation.

No salaries nor unnecessary management costs.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

FICS (International Fraternity of the Camino de Santiago) is a Galicia-based international non-profit dedicated to protecting the Caminos de Santiago from over-development, commodification and exploitation. It works closely with the Association of Camino Municipalities to uphold traditional values of hospitality and affordability in Camino facilities, recognize and protect historic sites as well as cultural and artistic "intangible values" via UNESCO representation. It runs three non-profit albergues, too.

If you want to stay Galicia-focused, you could also support AGACS, the Gallego Camino Amigos group. They run a couple of donativo albergues and do regular trail cleanups within Galicia.

 

[SYates]

This, extremely low-cost soup kitchen (good lunch for one Euro, for example), would be my best suggestion: https://cocinaeconomicadesantiago.es/ They provide food for the poor here in Santiago and have an excellent reputation.

BC SY

 

[davebugg]

I might also add Pilgrim House in Santiago de Compostela. https://pilgrimhousesantiago.com/
Information about making donations can be found HERE

 

[henrythedog]

Pilgrim house, of course - but as my constant companion Henry the (actual) dog reminds me; animals in the camino’s area need help too.

https://paradoxahumana.com/a-protectora-historia

 

[SYates]

Also, there is a sub-forum here: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...-camino-business-in-these-covid-19-times.210/ I don't think there are any NGOs on it, but perhaps you find a cause you like to support anyway.
BC SY

 

[TreshaA2]

Wonderful ideas everyone!! Thank you so much!!

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

This, extremely low-cost soup kitchen (good lunch for one Euro, for example), would be my best suggestion: https://cocinaeconomicadesantiago.es/ They provide food for the poor here in Santiago and have an excellent reputation.

BC SY

Jusst a reminder that even though the caminos are open again, and buzzing, things are still very hard for many of the locals in Galicia and across Spain (and Portugal too, though the story attached refers to Spain). Support locals appropriately, please!

Spanish response to Covid poverty was too little, too late, report says

Human Rights Watch says pandemic exacerbated weaknesses in country’s social security system

www.theguardian.com

 

[SYates]

Jusst a reminder that even though the caminos are open again, and buzzing, things are still very hard for many of the locals in Galicia and across Spain (and Portugal too, though the story attached refers to Spain). Support locals appropriately, please!

Spanish response to Covid poverty was too little, too late, report says

Human Rights Watch says pandemic exacerbated weaknesses in country’s social security system

www.theguardian.com

Absolutely correct, I notice it daily in the informal neighbourhood food bank I maintain.
SY

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Absolutely correct, I notice it daily in the informal neighbourhood food bank I maintain.
SY

Ah, I was looking for your posts! I didn't know how to find them. Good to hear you're still at it, though sad to hear it's still necessary.

 

[SYates]

Ah, I was looking for your posts! I didn't know how to find them. Good to hear you're still at it, though sad to hear it's still necessary.

I post semi regular updates and accountability posts on my website here: http://egeria.house/ and yes, still ongoing and, sadly, still necessary.
BC SY