I have a better understanding of elderly individuals. It is true what they say - some people just want a listening ear. I was reminded that the elderly population needs companionship and care.
Special Needs Support Volunteer Program in Colombia - Medellín
Purpose
Empower & support disabled people
Start dates
Programs start on the first and third Tuesday of each month
Duration
Choose from 1-24 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 7 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 18+
Accommodation
Homestay or hostel
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Empathetic, respectful, and caring volunteers who want to help support those living with disabilities and can speak Spanish prior to starting the program.
Project details
Want to volunteer with disabled populations in Colombia? International Volunteer HQ’s Special Needs Support project is an opportunity to help improve the quality of life for intellectually disabled children, youth, and adults. This is achieved through a range of activities, such as music, sports, arts and crafts, dancing, learning languages, and more. As a volunteer, you’ll help disabled populations develop the tools and skills they need to interact with their families and the wider community, promoting inclusivity and independence.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
In Colombia, 6.3% of the population is diagnosed with a disability, the second highest in Latin America after Brazil. In addition, those with a disability face much stigma and are often discriminated against in a society that believes they cannot work or be independent.
As an IVHQ volunteer, you’ll support a local organization that aims to improve the quality of life of children, young people and adults with intellectual disabilities. The aim is to help disabled populations strengthen their skills for coexistence with their families and increase their participation in the community, which empowers them to lead a more fulfilled and independent life. This is achieved through education, sports, cultural and social programs and services which allow disabled people to develop and leverage their inclusion in society. These organizations also raise awareness in Medellín for those living with a disability and educate the population on their skills and abilities.
Some of the tasks involved in the Special Needs Support project may include:
Supporting children:
- Assisting the tutors with therapies
- Helping to make therapeutic materials which are used for activities
- Supporting the tutors to select and order the materials used for activities and therapeutic care
- Conducting inventories of the therapeutic materials owned by the organization
- Helping tutors to move children to different places within the organization
- Accompanying tutors on walks with the children in surrounding neighborhoods
Supporting youth and adults:
- Assisting the educational and academic processes of the organizations
- Teaching different subjects such as music, sports, arts and crafts, dancing, languages, including English and more.
- Volunteers with knowledge and skills in marketing and/or fundraising may have the opportunity to assist the organization with their marketing and fundraising efforts
This project is well suited to volunteers who are charismatic, empathetic, respectful and proactive, who want to learn, understand and assist with the work that the organizations are doing to support disabled populations in Medellín. Volunteers need to be respectful and comfortable working in a team, have the ability to practice patience in any frustrating situations that may arise and the commitment to finish an assigned task with flexibility.
Volunteers on the Special Needs Care project are required to have at least an intermediate (B1) level of Spanish. However, in order to connect with the children, young people and adults you will be supporting, as well as the placement staff, it is recommended that you try to learn as much Spanish as possible to make the greatest impact and gain more from your experience.
Why do Special Needs Support volunteering in Medellín with IVHQ?
When you volunteer with disabled populations in Colombia you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Helping those with disabilities develop essential life skills
- Improving quality of life for disabled populations
- Developing your communication and Spanish skills
- Gaining Special Needs Care experience
- Immersing yourself fully in the Colombian way of life
- Discovering Colombia’s history and culture
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- Volunteers need to have at least an intermediate (B1) level of Spanish to join this program. If you don’t meet this requirement, you may like to check out our other Special Needs Support projects in Argentina, Guatemala, and Peru.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Colombia photo gallery
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Special Needs Support project
IVHQ Elderly Care project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Elderly Care project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Elderly Care project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Special Needs Support project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Elderly Care project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Special Needs Support project
IVHQ Elderly Care project
IVHQ Childcare project
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
VS
Veronica Sanchez Gil
05 Nov 2024
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LT
Lachlan Trew
02 Oct 2024
Everyone is super helpful and as long as you are open to learning and experiencing new opportunities, the program is definitely worth it.
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ST
Sara Thede
02 Oct 2024
The volunteer coordinator was the most amazing guide and went above and beyond to make sure I felt welcome and safe. She was always there for me and had great tips for how to adjust, where to find food, how to ride the metros and how to find ubers/taxis. I can't say enough amazing things about the volunteer coordinator, she's an amazing person and her non profit is so helpful for volunteers to get connected helping people in Medellin. The driver to and from the airport also went above and beyond to help me. Truly amazing people!!!
The school that I volunteered at was awesome too - their teachers and staff were kind and helpful and put me in the perfect class for my level. The teachers and staff are so patient and give the children 100% everyday. They have so many fun and educational activities and are loving and compassionate. Leaving the children was so hard because they were so sweet and friendly.
I was very nervous about going alone but IVHQ connected me with great people who really made everything go smoothly. My suggestion would be to go with an open mind and a heart for helping others. Be flexible and patient. Have fun and try new things but be safe and alert/aware if your surroundings. Thank you for the amazing experience!
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HB
Hinanui Baetz-levy
05 Sep 2024
Don't hesitate because it is a unique experience where you can really be immersed in the region and the country you have chosen. The missions are also important and will mark you because of the encounters you will make! The local team are amazing people and my homestay was incredible, a very kind family welcomed us and showed us what life was really like in Medellin. The meals were a great discovery, there was always a lot of kindness and desire to make us know the local food. I think I created really incredible relationships with the children but also with all the people who helped me and who were there to introduce me to the missions. Do not hesitate and go for it!
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CH
Christopher Hughes
21 Aug 2024
I had amazing support from the local team! They were such a big help with anything and everything. All of the other people that I met we're very helpful as well, what a wonderful adventure!!!
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JB
Jonathan Buckingham
03 Apr 2024
I think IVHQ is very helpful. I just finished my 5th trip, and I'm going on my 6th trip in June. I will continue to spread the positive word about IVHQ. The local volunteer coordinator was amazing. I felt safe and valued. She was a lovely lady and I would highly recommend her to anyone traveling to Medellin. I felt like I could make a difference and help the children of Medellin. I wish I had more time to volunteer with them because I felt like I was connecting with them on a personal level and learning more about their culture. It was an intimate experience that I grew from and was very fortunate to experience.
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
IVHQ’s Colombia program is based in the stunning city of Medellín. Nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by mountains, it boasts a balmy year-round climate, earning it the nickname “City of Eternal Spring.” In your free time, volunteers can explore the city’s rich cultural heritage, from vibrant street art and incredible food to museums and historical sites, including the Museum of Antioquia and the Casa de la Memoria. For nature-lovers, you can enjoy fantastic views of the surroundings from cable cars, and there are plenty of excellent parks and hiking opportunities.
While Medellín has made significant progress in recent years, it still faces many social and environmental challenges, which volunteers can help address. This includes helping with economic, sustainability, and community development initiatives, as well as improving access to education, healthcare, elderly care, and other social services for underserved communities.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the first and third Tuesday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Colombia on the Monday before program orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Medellín on the Monday before your program orientation. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Medellín. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Colombia prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a prearranged destination in Medellín on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our Colombia team in Medellín for one day (approximately 8 hours). Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Colombia – an introduction to Colombia, Colombian customs, language training details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Colombia, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
You will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working alongside.
Weekdays
During the week, you will have a volunteering shift that runs all day, approximately 6 - 7 hours from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. If you would prefer to contribute for 3 - 4 hours instead in the morning or afternoon, this can also be arranged in advance.
A typical day working a full volunteering shift of 6 - 7 hours is as follows:
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast at your accommodation or a cafeteria/restaurant nearby. |
| 8:00 AM | Leave your accommodation and travel via public transportation to your placement which can take around 30 minutes depending on traffic. Your volunteering placement work begins at 9:00 AM. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch which you will need to purchase yourself from a local restaurant or supermarket close by to your placement |
| 1:00 PM | Continue volunteering on your placement until 4:00 PM. |
| 4:00 PM | Volunteering work on your placement usually ends. You are free to travel back to your accommodation, go sightseeing or shopping, or head to a local restaurant for dinner. |
| 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Volunteers usually have dinner around this time. Please remember that you will need to purchase your own dinner from a local restaurant or supermarket. |
Weekends
Whether you want to explore or relax on your weekends in Medellín, there’s plenty of opportunity to do both. Stroll through Plaza Botero, packed with sculptures, street performers and artists, El Poblado neighborhood where you could find Parque Lleras with street vendors, artisans, food sellers, musicians and the most famous street in Medellín “Provenza”; or you can visit Jardín Botánico, the botanical gardens, a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
You could visit two main tourist attractions such as Pueblito Paisa, which is a replica of a turn-of-the-century town located in the hills of Medellín and offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Antioquian culture. Here, you’ll find cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, a beautiful church, and amazing views of the city, and on the other hand you can visit Parque Arví, which is a very large ecological nature reserve located in Santa Elena, which is a rural area of Medellín.
Take in a museum, the Museo de Arte Moderno, Casa de la Memoria and Museo de Antioquia are fantastic options. Then check out a free walking tour, food tour, or a tour of Comuna 13, Moravia, MacroMural Constelaciones in Manrique or Comuna 8, these neighborhoods are recognized for their incredible social transformation processes; taste-test the city’s fabulous cuisine or sample a brew from Medellín’s blossoming craft-beer industry.
It’s worth noting that Sunday is a religious day of rest, however you could find many stores, shopping malls and restaurants open. Usually Sundays are devoted to spending time with family. If you wish, you can join your host family to do different kinds of recreational activities or explore the city.
On long weekends you may choose to travel around the rest of Colombia and the many towns and cities, volcanoes, jungles, and beaches which are more than worth a visit. Many of these are only a short trip from Medellín.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are either accommodated in a homestay or a dormitory-style hostel. If you have a preference for one over the other, please note this in your application.
Hostel:
Located in a vibrant neighborhood of Medellín, volunteers are accommodated in a hostel which offers an unforgettable experience for both volunteers and individual guests. With easy access to key destinations via a nearby metro station, getting around is a breeze. The neighborhood is safe and lively, filled with local shops, cafes, and restaurants. Just a short walk away, you can visit the Estadio Atanasio Girardot for sports events or explore the Medellín Museum of Modern Art.
The hostel ensures a comfortable stay with friendly staff, clean facilities, and decor that reflects Colombian culture, seamlessly blending modern amenities with traditional charm—ideal for both short and long-term stays. The serene environment allows you to unwind after a day of volunteering, while the vibrant tourist area is only a 10-minute walk away, perfect for socializing and exploring local hotspots.
Amenities include a shared kitchen, outdoor dining area, and sun terrace. You’ll share a room with one other volunteer of the same gender, with bedding and towels provided, along with a private bathroom featuring hot running water.
Recreational spaces include a BBQ area, leisure/TV room, and a game room stocked with board games. Additional conveniences such as free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, tour assistance, and an airport shuttle (for a fee) enhance your stay.
Homestay:
Volunteers will be accommodated in a homestay and hosted by a local family who has been approved by our local team in Colombia. Your host family is given a fee for your support, food and board. It is exciting to stay with a host family, providing you with a unique opportunity to learn about the Colombian way of life, meet local people, try traditional food and speak the local language - especially when host families in Colombia tend to have limited English.
Living is often basic but comfortable and all homestays have electricity, hot water and western style bathrooms. Most homestays can accommodate one volunteer at a time; however, depending on availability, you may have to share a homestay, and bedroom, with one other volunteer of the same gender. For those homestays that can accommodate one volunteer at a time, you will have a double bed. If you are accommodated in a homestay that has capacity for two volunteers at a time, it’s likely you will have a single bed. Bedding is provided by your homestay.
You may be required to share a bathroom with your homestay family, depending on the size of their home.
WiFi is available in all volunteer accommodations, free of charge. If you would like to keep connected during your stay, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Colombia.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with breakfast everyday. Breakfast typically consists of Colombian arepas (arepas are known as corn cakes made out of corn dough or precooked corn flour in a flat circular shape, similar to a pancake), bread, spreads, scrambled egg and cheese, milk, coffee, aromática (a mixture of fresh herbs, fruits, and boiling water), and hot chocolate.
Lunch and dinner is not included in the program and you will need to purchase these yourself. You can expect to budget around £2 - £4 for lunch and slightly more for dinner; however, prices will vary depending on what type of establishment you choose to purchase your lunches and dinners from.
Bottled water is readily available in Colombia and volunteers should budget approximately £6 - £8 per week for two liters of water per day.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when submitting your application so we can make arrangements for you. As you will be living and volunteering abroad, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home; however, the local team will do their best to ensure you are well taken care of.
Typical volunteer hostel bedroom
Typical volunteer hostel kitchen
Typical volunteer hostel living room
Typical volunteer hostel
Typical volunteer hostel
Typical volunteer hostel living room
Typical volunteer hostel
Typical volunteer hostel bedroom
Typical volunteer hostel bedroom
Typical volunteer hostel bedroom
Typical volunteer hostel toilet
Typical volunteer hostel dining area
IVHQ volunteers dining together
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer homestay accommodation
Typical volunteer homestay accommodation
Typical volunteer homestay accommodation
Typical volunteer homestay living area
Typical volunteer homestay kitchen
Typical volunteer homestay bedroom
Typical volunteer homestay bathroom
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately £247), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £247) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $380 Equivalent to $63/day |
| 2 weeks | $642 Equivalent to $54/day |
| 3 weeks | $887 Equivalent to $49/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,126 Equivalent to $47/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,365 Equivalent to $46/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,604 Equivalent to $45/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,038 Equivalent to $42/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,472 Equivalent to $41/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,906 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,686 Equivalent to $38/day |
| 20 weeks | $4,466 Equivalent to $37/day |
| 24 weeks | $5,158 Equivalent to $36/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately £247) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Colombia generally find US$200 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including lunches and dinners, transport and miscellaneous spending.
- Breakfast
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Lunch and dinner
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Check what's required to visit Colombia
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Bogota |
| Population | 50.3 million |
| Languages | Spanish |
| Currency | Colombian Peso (KES) |
| Time zone | UTC-5:00 |
Weather and climate
Medellín, nestled in the Aburrá Valley of the Andes mountains, enjoys a temperate climate at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) above sea level. Often referred to as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Medellín boasts mild and consistent weather throughout the year. Daytime temperatures hover around a comfortable 24-28°C (75-82°F), providing a pleasant and spring-like atmosphere. Evenings bring a slight coolness with temperatures ranging from 15-20°C (59-68°F). The city experiences two distinct rainy seasons, from April to June and from September to November, with brief afternoon showers. However, overall, Medellín is characterized by a predominantly dry climate. Volunteers are advised to pack lightweight clothing and a jacket for cooler evenings.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
