Volunteer requirements

Mariposas Amarillas is a locally-run, grassroots foundation, not an international volunteer organization. As our staff and resources are small, we ask for a great deal of independence from our volunteers. Although we can help out with advice, ultimately our volunteers are responsible for their own accommodation, transportation, living costs, supplies, and visas.

The main members of the foundation do not speak English, so at least basic Spanish is necessary for all volunteers. We can help you out with Spanish lessons from local teachers at discounted prices.

Volunteers can teach as little as one class per week. If you would like to be a class teacher, though, we ask you to commit to a minimum of a three week volunteer period. If you are coming for one or two weeks, you can work as a classroom assistant.

We require a one-time, nonrefundable $70 donation for all volunteers. This fee goes directly to supporting the Foundation and helps pay for water and electricity bills, and larger classroom materials such as chairs and desks, and building repairs and maintenance, as well as our local Director's modest salary. For more info, go to the how we use funds page here.

Volunteers are responsible for their own transport to and from the schools, and are expected to contribute towards their class materials such as paper, pens and crayons, footballs and post-class refreshments for the kids. We suggest you budget about $20 a week for this.

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We have no minimum age requirements, but volunteers must display independence and maturity. Since the foundation is not run from an office, most of the work is done independently or on-site working in Santa Marta’s poorest neighborhoods. The ideal volunteer will be flexible and self-driven. Independent projects and ideas for the foundation and the neighborhoods where we work are encouraged, though outside funding is always needed.

We can recommend affordable places to stay and reliable tourism services and can arrange homestays, Spanish tutoring sessions, and Salsa classes.

We want volunteers to enjoy their stay in Santa Marta. Thus, the work schedule is flexible and can be customized to fit each volunteer’s needs. You can work part time or full time, for a week, a month or a year!