Puerto Rico Volunteering

Why Pay Money To Volunteer?
Many volunteers are surprised to learn that some organizations require large fees or “donations.” While this may seem ridiculous at first glance, such fees often keep the organization afloat, in addition to covering airfare, room, board, and administrative expenses for the volunteers. (Other organizations must rely on private donations and government subsidies.) If you’re concerned about how a program spends its fees, request an annual report or finance account. A reputable organization won’t refuse to inform you of how volunteer money is spent. Pay-to-volunteer programs might be a good idea for young travelers who are looking for more support and structure (such as pre-arranged transportation and housing), or anyone who would rather not deal with the uncertainty implicit in creating a volunteer experience from scratch.

Volunteering can be a powerful and fulfilling experience, especially when combined with the thrill of traveling in a new place. Puerto Rico’s natural beauty makes the island a popular travel destination, but also an ecologically vulnerable one. As a result, many volunteer projects on the island aim to conserve Puerto Rico’s forests, reefs, and beaches. In the last 50 years, a concentrated effort to preserve Puerto Rico’s natural resources has emerged. Today, several of the island’s endangered species, such as the Puerto Rican parrot and the leatherback sea turtle, are trying to make a comeback. Volunteers can do everything from guarding turtle eggs during breeding season on the beaches of Culebra to helping keep the island’s coasts clean . However, ecological work isn’t the only volunteer opportunity in Puerto Rico. Inner-city volunteer programs address issues such as educational gaps, poverty, and housing shortages. Opportunities to teach school children, advocate for social justice, and promote community education abound.

Most people who volunteer in Puerto Rico do so on a short-term basis, at organizations that make use of drop-in or once-a-week volunteers. Most short-term opportunities are in environmental conservation. The best way to find opportunities that match up with your interests and schedule may be to check with VolunteerMatch (☎415-241-6855; www.volunteermatch.org) or www.idealist.org, which list volunteer openings with various organizations in Puerto Rico. Current listings include working in disaster relief services and conducting field research on plant regeneration in Puerto Rico’s rainforests. Another useful resource is the Puerto Rican NGO Fondos Unidos (☎787-728-8500; www.fondosunidos.com). This San Juan-based organization helps place volunteers all over the island and coordinates activities among over 150 nonprofit organizations, most of which are socially focused. The American government can also direct individuals toward volunteer opportunities at www.volunteer.gov, though many of these posts require long-term commitments.

Those looking for longer, more intensive volunteer opportunities usually choose to go through a parent organization that takes care of logistical details and often provides a group environment and support system—for a fee. There are two main types of organizations—religious and non-sectarian—although there are rarely restrictions on participation for either.

Environmental Conservation

By the mid-20th century, in the aftermath of the commonwealth’s agricultural and industrial boom, just 1% of Puerto Rico’s precious virgin rainforest still stood. Underwater habitats such as coral ...more

Wildlife Conservation

Coupled with agricultural development and industrialization, deforestation has destroyed not only Puerto Rico’s natural habitats but also the unique inhabitants of these environments, both on land ...more

Youth And Community

Poorer than any US state but wealthier than most Latin American countries, Puerto Rico is still feeling the growing pains of economic development. An unemployment rate of around 10%, low education levels ...more