A Decade of Volunteerism

Since 2010, Fundación Montecito has hosted over 80+ volunteers from over 25+ countries around the world. We are accepting applications for enthusiastic individuals eager to contribute to eco projects, website development, graphic design, marketing, and beyond, all with the aim of supporting our mission to conserve Lake Tota, the largest lake in Colombia.

Visit Sugamuxi

Our volunteer program is based in the Andean region of Sugamuxi, located in the heart of Boyacá, Colombia. Sugamuxi boasts 13 picturesque towns, including the bustling city of Sogamoso, all surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Sugamuxi is surrounded by páramos, high-Andean ecosystems found only in the tropics. These biodiverse landscapes, nestled at elevations of 3,000 to 4,000 meters, play a vital role in water retention and fostering biodiversity.

Volunteers will immerse themselves in the local highland culture, gaining insights into rural traditions and activities deeply connected to the environment. From the majestic páramo ecosystems to the stunning Lake Tota, the region offers a wealth of exploration opportunities.

Our Partnership

Sumercé Artisans collaborates with our partner, Fundación Montecito, an environmental non-profit based in Sogamoso, Boyacá. Our primary objective is to protect the Andean mountains and wetlands surrounding Lake Tota, Colombia's largest lake. Fundación Montecito employs strategies in governance and tourism to achieve these goals.

Established in 2010, Fundación Montecito has cultivated a network of volunteers that has supported the organization since its inception. Due to its small size, the non-profit typically have 2 or 3 volunteers at any given time, operating from both the main office in the heart of Sogamoso as well as Xieti Nature Reserve near Lake Tota. The challenges we face requires collective effort, and we invite you to join us in our mission.

Volunteer Checklist

Volunteers will gain valuable experiences by immersing themselves in a genuine, friendly, and open-minded cultural exchange while working collaboratively as a team. They will gain insight on environmental challenges, navigating diverse situations and interacting with various individuals week after week. Additionally, they will learn the art of achieving a lot with limited resources and understand the hurdles that NGOs face in pursuing their objectives.
We expect volunteers to fully integrate into our movement, contributing their own ideas, expertise, and creativity to enhance our initiatives and strive for continuous improvement. Are you interested in joining this collaborative environment? If so, please contact us to share your thoughts, expectations, and what you can bring to the table.
Volunteers are expected to commit to 5 hours of work per day, 5 days a week, for a minimum stay of 1 month (though this duration may vary in certain cases). Accommodation will be provided in a hostel dormitory with breakfast included. Facilities such as free WiFi, an office desk, and kitchen amenities will be available. Transportation costs are the responsibility of volunteers, although local bus options are available.
We offer a diverse array of volunteering opportunities, catering to various interests and skills. These options encompass hands-on tasks such as monitoring, education, technical duties, construction, and maintenance. Engaging with local communities is another avenue, involving activities like conducting interviews and conducting research. Office-based roles include website design, editing, and social media tasks. There are also opportunities in photography, filming, and documenting activities through mediums like short documentaries, newsletters, and posters. Additionally, volunteers can contribute to marketing efforts or participate in tourism-related activities like guiding guests or assisting in hostel operations.
Should you have any questions or require further details, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're eager to assist and provide all the information you need.
In 2017, we entered into an agreement with a local university to facilitate language exchange opportunities for our volunteers during their free time. If you're interested in enhancing your Spanish skills through conversations with local students in a university setting, while also assisting them with their foreign language learning, simply let us know, and we'll arrange an interview and check for availability.
While proficiency in Spanish is not mandatory for all volunteer options, it may be required for specific activities such as education, interviews, the remote placement option, or certain tourism-related tasks that involve interaction with locals.
Typically, volunteers are accommodated in a dorm bed within a hostel. Alternatively, we may offer a room in our own home in some instances.
For the remote area option, accommodation entails staying in a room with a rural family. Each site has internet access, and the accommodation is pet-friendly.

Testimonials

Ash & Fiona (Ireland)

“Our time volunteering with the Montecito Foundation, alongside Felipe and Juanita, was truly inspiring. These passionate leaders are dedicated to making a lasting impact through their two nature reserves.
Felipe and Juanita's commitment to conservation, governance, and education is infectious. Working closely with them on a research and design project, we witnessed their vigorous approach to environmental challenges. Their enthusiasm created a collaborative atmosphere where we felt valued and empowered. There was one other volunteer there at the time, who was researching and working on horticulture and plants.
What sets Foundation Montecito apart is their holistic approach. They not only focus on preserving nature but also on empowering local communities through education and sustainable practices. Witnessing their dedication to effective governance and education left a lasting impression.
In summary, our experience was transformative, and we're grateful to have contributed to such a noble cause. If you're seeking a meaningful volunteer experience, look no further than Foundation Montecito – a hub of passion, purpose, and positive change.”

Volunteer Date: December 2023
Camila (Germany)

“I want to thank you so much for this incredible time together. I have been there for 3.5 months and we shared so many special moments and laughter together. I really liked how we worked together and ideas of new projects were always welcome.
During my stay I learned so much from Felipe and Juanita, the locals, the kids and everyone. Not only about the environmental context but also about their culture, the language and the food! This time taught me how nature conservation and environmental education.
They are heartwarming people and tried to give me the best experience during my stay. I am so grateful for this experience and will definitely come to back to visit again. After all this time, the organization has become a home. Thank you and I send you big hugs from the other side of the ocean.”

Volunteer Date: April 2023
Monique (USA)

“The Fundación puts the FUN in Fundación alright! Though the challenges that come with modern environmental activism can be heavy, Felipe and Juanita keep it real while maintaining a light hopeful spirit that fills the the spirit with positivity and inspiration. Felipe is a man of the people and literally every time I told someone I was with them, someone already knew of it and smiled in approval. Juanita is a wealth of creativity and has a vision of what she wants, yet is open minded when it comes to accepting ideas to share and grow her visions. It is truly impressive what they have accomplished given it's small size and the obstacles it faces. I am honored to have participated in helping pursue its ambitious goals, even if only for a month. I recommend a longer stay if possible because once you get involved and actually realize what beauty you are apart of, you will not want to leave. If you seek to contribute your energy to something meaningful and grow as a person in ways more than you can anticipate, look no further. I would come back in a heart beat, but with more time. Thank you for everything Felipe and Juanita for everything.”

Volunteer Date: March 2020
Susi (Germany)

“How can one sum up in a few words four wonderful weeks and a truly unique experience? I am very happy to have ventured to this rural spot in Colombia and very grateful to those who have made this stay possible. Unlike many programs offered by big organizations, this one has been truly authentic and has provided me with the opportunity of getting to know a part of Colombia and a set of people few tourists will ever see.
The people are what make this experience unique and wonderful. Four weeks are barely enough time get to know the community and to hear its stories. I learned a lot about the people and their lives here as well as about animals – last but not least how to milk a cow. Of course, I also improved my Spanish a lot, although in retrospect this does no longer seem to be all that important. Being here means to learn just as much as to teach and more than once I felt like a little girl just starting to learn about life. It is that which leaves me with lots to think about and makes me want to return as soon as possible.”

Volunteer Date: June 2016
Amélie (France)

Very grateful for that beautiful experience of life and human adventure. Thank you for your great ideas, your trust, your listening, your positivity, your fight to want to make this world better, always open to listening to new ideas... in a few months, I was able to participate in the initial exploration of the Bochica route by photographing and interviewing the local community, and finally setting up and managing the route's photographic exhibition. What an adventure! Thanks to everyone and particularly to Juanita and Felipe and the San Pedro farm for making everything possible.”

Volunteer Date: August 2016
Amber (England)

“Gracias Felipe! I worked alongside Felipe for 3 weeks in April 2015 and cannot recommend this volunteer opportunity enough. As a filmmaker, I assisted Felipe in collecting footage for a number of short films to help promote tourism in the area. It was my second workaway experience and I had so many interesting things to do each day, we visited historical sites, interviewed many people and most days I came home with SD cards full of stuff. His energy and enthusiasm for his NGO is really special and he works incredibly hard in order to get you to the places you need to be to work at your own project; introducing you to various key people in the community or arranging cultural encounters. I look forward to ring back to stay a little longer and produce some more content for this great project. (Make sure you go!)”

Volunteer Date: April 2015
Lily (USA)

“Amazing experience working with a lovely family!
I spent about a month volunteering with Felipe and Juanita doing photography and graphic design work along with a couple of other projects! It was a great way to get experience with photography in a professional setting but also with less pressure as Felipe and Juanita are very chill people I really enjoyed my time with them and also the time we spent with the rest of their family at the Finca and just tagging along for other stuff with them! I even spent New Year's Eve in Sogamoso and got to accompany them to their family's celebrations which was lovely.
Lago de Tota is absolutely beautiful and although I spent most of my time in Sogamoso, I spent some nights in the guest house they have on the lake which was amazing! They are doing really good work there in terms of restoring the natural environment and you get to feel like you are really a part of it.
There wasn't always a super clear schedule; it was very flexible and you do a lot of things on your own time at your own pace. Maybe that would stress some people out if you are looking more structure, but it was always easy to communicate with F+J if I needed extra guidance.”
Volunteer Date: February 2022