Volunteering

[TravellingSonn]

Hi Everyone,

After completing my extraordinary Camino adventure, I'd like to give back to the Camino community by volunteering at 2 refugios over a 1 month period in Sept/Oct 2009.

What do I need to do or whom do I need to contact expressing my interest? And what are my chances ending up in the refugios of my choice?

Many thanks
Buen Camino
Love, light and smiles
Sonia

 

[sillydoll]

Hi Son,
Many organisations prefer to take volunteers who have done hospitalero training and who can speak different languages. Like me, you are far from available hospitalera workshops and training courses. However, there are a number of opportunities for you to volunteer. This is info I have on volunteering (hope it is still all up-to-date).

WANT TO VOLUNTEER AS A HOSPITALERO?

You can offer your help directly to the refuge - a list of refuges can be found at http://www.jacobeo.net/refugios/

Here are some other sites which will assist you in becoming a volunteer:

1. http://www.csj.uk
Rabanal: Refugio Gaucelmo - If you would like to be considered as a possible warden, please e-mail the Rabanal Warden’s Corodinator at alisonsp@doctors.org.uk
Miraz – Camino Norte: If you are interested in serving as a warden at Miraz (we still have a few vacancies for 2008, and will be glad to sign you up for 2009), please contact the Miraz Wardens' Coordinator. m-wardens(at)csj.org.uk

2. http://www.caminosantiago.org/cpperegri ... hosvol.pdf
E-Mail: hosvol@caminosantiago.org
This is the Federation of Associations on the Camino volunteer form.
Sevilla - Logroño – Vizcaya – Madrid etc


4. Leon: The albergue, "Das Animas" (the Souls) in Ambasmestas, Leon is
sponsored by the Friends of The Camino de Santiago in Ambasmestas and are looking for hospitaleros. Those interested in applying may send an email to: das_animas@hotmail.com

5. http://www.caminhodesantiago.com There is a call for volunteer hospitaleros issued by
the Asociacion de Voluntarios en albergues del Camino de Santiago (Association of Camino de Santiago volunteers).

6. http://www.jacobeo.net/hospitaleros/index.htm Complete the online form

7. ruavieja@asantiago.org
The Friends of the Way of Santiago of the Rioja region coordinate the hospitaleros in the refuge of Logroño.

8. http://www.americanpilgrims.com Go to Join, scroll to volunteer.
American Pilgrims have their annual gatherings which include a training workshop for future volunteer hospitaleros.
http://www.americanpilgrims.com/events_national.html

9) Write to Acacio da Paz voluntarioscamino@ yahoo.es http://www.caminhodesantiago.com


FRANCE

The friends’ report also contains information for those interested in becoming hospitaleros in the Grand Palais albergue or the pilgrims welcoming center in SJPP.
Those interested in serving in the other side of the Pyrenees may contact:

Les Amis du Chemin de Saint-Jacques des Pyrenees-Atlantiques
39 rue de la citadelle
64220 Saint Jean Pied de Port
France caminopa@hotmail.com

 

[sillydoll]

I just read a blog where the pilgrim says that the hospitalero (Martin?) at the albergue in Foncebadon would welcome volunteers for a month or so - especially those who might want to improve their Spanish.
Tel: 695 452 950 martarrey@yahoo.com

 

[TravellingSonn]

Many many thanks Sil for the info (as usual). I'll check out the various links you've provided and touch base with Martin from Foncebadon. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again Sil (camino angel)

Love, light and smiles
Sonia

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Caveat Voluntor:

More volunteers are being sought these days by hospitaleros who run for-profit albergues. It's fine to help out wherever you like, but be aware of the potential for exploitation. In a for-profit operation, you work for free, and the innkeeper pockets the money he'd ordinarily pay some local person to do the same job.

The non-profit albergue in Foncebadon, last time I looked, was staffed and administered through the association in Ponferrada. I don't know who Martin is, but be sure he's not the guy running the for-profit albergue up there. I think he can afford to pay people to work for him, and I'm sure plenty of local folk could use the employment.

Just my two cents.
Rebekah

 

[sillydoll]

The Monte Irago albergue in Foncebadon is part of the Red de Albergues network of private albergues. They have internet, washing machine, a kitchen, place for bicycles and animals and 35 beds.

The pilgrim who posted the info on volunteers said:

"Foncebadón was our first stop. It is supposed to have eerie qualities & be shrouded in mist, but it was sunny when we got there. The hospitalero was one of those rare guys who are very prone to physical contact with people they don't know. Many would find this uncomfortable but, coming from this guy, it just seemed friendly. :?:
Anyway, he asked me how I had learned Spanish and told me that if I, or anyone I knew, would like to practise their Spanish for a month, they could come and work at his albergue. I have his card, so for all y'all who are dying to get practising...let me know."

 

[Javier Martin]

You are right, Rebekah and Sil.

I stayed in this albergue last february. The hospitalero and owner is called "Javi", as me. He lives there all the year.

He offers a menu (8 euros) very convenient to choose it, because there's no menu in "La taberna de Gaia" (just "carta"). And a breakfast for 4 euros (I didn't take it). Bed cost 7 euros. I suppose this prizes let him to earn a lot of many on summer,but to lose it on winter. It would be easy for him to close the albergue on winter, but he doesn't. A nice guy.

As I like to walk Astorga-Ponferrada on winter every year, I will return next time to this albergue, sure.

Buen Camino,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.

 

[Sagalouts]

"one of those rare guys who likes to have physical contact with strangers"
don't know about you sill but i thought that was all blokes.
sounds like an ideal place for a young girl to stay for a month???

 

[sillydoll]

Aw shucks!
I don't qualify - too old.
How is your Spanish??

 

[Kerrymade]

Hi is it possible to vollenteer at an albergue in Santiago,all replies are gratefully received .