About Patagonia Volunteer

Patagonia Volunteer is a program developed by MAPU Association as a community, social and environmental development tool.

The volunteer work organized by Patagonia Volunteer and MAPU Association is completely independent of any government influence, religious creed, political doctrine, or economic link. Our work, as well as that of our volunteers, is motivated by the desire to contribute our energy and convictions to local development and welfare.

Volunteering opportunities in Patagonia: what you can do in Patagonia

There are countless ways in which you can take action in the South American region of Patagonia. At Patagonia Volunteer we are constantly looking for new volunteer placement options and we keep a continuous cooperation relationship with the local host organizations. Also, you can join any of the different projects developed by MAPU Association. Patagonia, South America, offers countless volunteering experiences.

Culture and Education Volunteer Work: You can cooperate in training and education actions, projects, workshops and programs directed both to children and adults, along with promoting different cultural activities.

Human rights of the Patagonia communities : You can take action by providing support, information and contacts, and by spreading information in cases in which the human rights and self determination of the local communities are affected.

Environment in Patagonia: You can join projects related to the protection of the environment, to the sustainable use of natural resources and to the use of renewable energies.

Natives of the Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia: You can get involved in activities aimed at promoting the Mapuche language and culture, and at supporting the communities in their land struggles.

International Cooperation with Patagonia: You can help organize the Patagonia Volunteer & MAPU Association international on-site and virtual volunteer work projects, a very important tool for local development and for promoting information about the local issues in Patagonia.

Benefits of Volunteering in Patagonia, South America, with MAPU Association

Organization: Finding a good and well-organized volunteer project is a difficult task. It is almost impossible to do it from your country without personally knowing the host organizations and the local situation. This is why at MAPU Association we devote time to organizing your program, we request your Curriculum Vitae and Letter of Intent, and we establish regular contact before assigning you a volunteer placement according to your profile and the needs of the host organization.

Support and orientation: During your volunteer work in Patagonia, you will always have a monitor to guide you and support you, to whom you can go to in case of difficulties. You will also get support and orientation to organize your trip.

Quality: Each volunteer project implies concrete, real and meaningful activities, and has clearly defined objectives, which will allow you to see short term results in your work.

Accommodation: MAPU Association will help you find accommodation with local people so that everything you invest in accommodation will go directly to the local community. Besides, sharing with a local family is an ideal opportunity to quickly immerse yourself into the local culture, learn about the local lifestyle and mindset, and make true friends.

Orientation Workshop: Before your trip, we will give you access to material to help you prepare for your experience. Once in Patagonia, you will participate in an orientation workshop in which you will acquire the basic tools to offer the best of yourself during your assignment, and so that you face the challenge with confidence, knowing what is expected from you and what to expect from the locals.

Each volunteer who brings in his/her solidarity and committed participation contributes positive actions and strengthens the joint efforts of locals and volunteers, even after returning home. However, without the right preparation, volunteers may become more of a burden than a benefit, and achieve no positive results or contribution to the long-term sustainability of the project. This is why we place great importance on thoroughly preparing and providing orientation services to each volunteer.