Volunteering at Pilgrim’s Office

[Momwiz]

This is for anyone who has volunteered at the Pilgrim’s office. I have asked a few questions about doing this before but now it’s crunch time as I am flying to Santiago on October 20 to begin my two week stint as a volunteer. I reached out to Montse yesterday about when I should be report to the Pilgrim’s office and to whom and have not yet heard back from her. I’m hoping that I will in the week and a half I have left before I leave. It would give me great comfort of if any of you who have done the volunteering could give me more specific details regarding what I mentioned above if you possibly could. Also, since I am staying at San Martin Pinario and not where other volunteers may be I will probably be on my own when I’m not volunteering and I’d like some suggestions as to how to spend my time. I’m pretty resourceful on my own and since I love the city of Santiago so much I don’t mind repeating the things that I’ve already done when I stayed there after my Caminos. I’m looking forward to this whole adventure with both excitement and trepidation! TIA

 

[JennyH94]

Hi @Momwiz -

My suggestion would be to call into the Pilgrim Office as soon as you arrive in Santiago, after you check in to SMP. If for some reason Montse isn’t there one of the permanent staff will be able to help you. It’s open until 7pm. Tell the Security staff at the door that you’re about to start volunteering.

I’ve volunteered twice now - last year and this year and I can say with all of my pilgrim heart that it’s a deeply rewarding experience. Getting the hang of the computer system is really easy and you’ll be in the swing of it all totally after a couple of days. You’ll sit with one of the other volunteers for the first shift - at least that was the case for me last year. A big smile works in any language - you’ve got this! The whole experience will stay with you in a very meaningful way.

Best wishes from Oz -
Jenny

PS - Warning: Volunteering at the Pilgrim Office is addictive!

 

[alexwalker]

Hi @Momwiz -

My suggestion would be to call into the Pilgrim Office as soon as you arrive in Santiago, after you check in to SMP. If for some reason Montse isn’t there one of the permanent staff will be able to help you. It’s open until 7pm. Tell the Security staff at the door that you’re about to start volunteering.

I Worked there in May-June 2019.

If Montse is not present, ask for Santi (I assume he is still working there).

Be prepaared for a giving, and sometimes moving experience. Many feelings expressed as pilgrims reach their destination. It also has its fun moments:

Here is a fun story from my experience in the Pilgrim's Office.

 

[t2andreo]

Santi is no longer on staff. But there are enough English speaking staff to help you. You will not have a problem.

 

[joramos]

This is for anyone who has volunteered at the Pilgrim’s office. I have asked a few questions about doing this before but now it’s crunch time as I am flying to Santiago on October 20 to begin my two week stint as a volunteer. I reached out to Montse yesterday about when I should be report to the Pilgrim’s office and to whom and have not yet heard back from her. I’m hoping that I will in the week and a half I have left before I leave. It would give me great comfort of if any of you who have done the volunteering could give me more specific details regarding what I mentioned above if you possibly could. Also, since I am staying at San Martin Pinario and not where other volunteers may be I will probably be on my own when I’m not volunteering and I’d like some suggestions as to how to spend my time. I’m pretty resourceful on my own and since I love the city of Santiago so much I don’t mind repeating the things that I’ve already done when I stayed there after my Caminos. I’m looking forward to this whole adventure with both excitement and trepidation! TIA

I believe I responded to your inquiry earlier. And as I stated in my earlier response, if I remember right, Montse schedules the work week to start on Mondays, and alternately you work the earlier shift (9am-2pm) then the next day the late shift (2pm-7pm).

If Montse is not around, her assistant Esther Muino, should be there. Other permanent staff like Luis, who we call the "magician" will be there to help you as well.

Staying at San Martin Pinario affords you a private room with basic amenities that essentially you do not have worry much, but your stay there includes a free breakfast buffet.

If you could not get hold of Montse and you are there in SDC, do what I did. I went to the Pilgrims Office, told the guard at the entrance, "Soy 'Voluntario (I am a volunteer)" and after he/she lets you in, go to the counter where pilgrims report to get their compostelas and distance certificates, then ask for Montse, or Esther, or Luis, or other permanent staff. Do not be surprised to be put to work since you are already there. And almost all volunteers and permanent staff speak English, so no worries.

Enjoy. Buen Camino.

 

[HJPZ]

I was there this time last year and it was Noelia who looked after the volunteers. Any correspondence that I received from them always ended up in my spam so make sure you check there. I don’t think I heard from them until right before I was due to arrive.
I was to show up at 2pm at the albergue where we were staying and then we made our way to the office for 5pm to start our training. Last year, our two week stint started on a Tuesday. I hope this helps and have fun!!

 

[MRB3997]

This is for anyone who has volunteered at the Pilgrim’s office. I have asked a few questions about doing this before but now it’s crunch time as I am flying to Santiago on October 20 to begin my two week stint as a volunteer. I reached out to Montse yesterday about when I should be report to the Pilgrim’s office and to whom and have not yet heard back from her. I’m hoping that I will in the week and a half I have left before I leave. It would give me great comfort of if any of you who have done the volunteering could give me more specific details regarding what I mentioned above if you possibly could. Also, since I am staying at San Martin Pinario and not where other volunteers may be I will probably be on my own when I’m not volunteering and I’d like some suggestions as to how to spend my time. I’m pretty resourceful on my own and since I love the city of Santiago so much I don’t mind repeating the things that I’ve already done when I stayed there after my Caminos. I’m looking forward to this whole adventure with both excitement and trepidation! TIA

I am starting two weeks volunteering next week on 15 Oct. I was contacted by Montse two weeks in advance. Hopefully you will have received the information by now.

 

[RobGielen]

I was there this time last year and it was Noelia who looked after the volunteers. Any correspondence that I received from them always ended up in my spam so make sure you check there. I don’t think I heard from them until right before I was due to arrive.
I was to show up at 2pm at the albergue where we were staying and then we made our way to the office for 5pm to start our training. Last year, our two week stint started on a Tuesday. I hope this helps and have fun!!

May I ask you, how was your initial contact? Did you write an email or did you call them? Is there a website for volunteering or is it that you just go there without any notice maybe? Many thanks! Rob Gielen