Volunteer in El Salvador

At this time you may volunteer in El Salvador as part of a group only. Groups of more than 12 can be accommodated at a nearby retreat center. In addition, you may join a group led by Epilogos Charities, Inc Board members who organize several trips each year. 

• You must be at least 18 years of age to volunteer as an individual
• In addition to completing an application you may be interviewed by representatives of Epilogos Charities, Inc.
• Some ability to speak Spanish is desired, but not a must.

• Your group leaders must take initiative and responsibility for your group, unless your group is led by members of Epilogos Charities, Inc board. Epilogos Charities, Inc. has no one that will lead your group on a daily basis.
• Epilogos Charities, Inc. will connect you with projects. There is always plenty for volunteers to do. However, you will need to remain flexible and open to schedule and project changes.
• All members of your group must be at least 14 years old. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the trip.

Cost related to traveling to El Salvador to volunteer with Epilogos Charities, Inc includes:

• Plane fare: You are responsible for making your own plane reservations and paying the round trip fare to San Salvador, El Salvador
• Meals and Shelter: $50 USD per day covers: lodging at a nearby retreat center, and three meals daily (meals eaten out not included).
• Transportation: $50 USD covers transportation to and from the airport and one excursion
• Security: divided equally among all group participants (generally $20-25 per person)
• At least two weeks prior to your departure, Epilogos requests that payment be received for room and board, transportation, security and projects. If you are part of a group please send one check for the group or send all of the individual checks together. Epilogos Charities, Inc. mailing address: PO Box 22 Nashua, NH 03061
• $30 USD is suggested for various tips (cash only), this includes a tip for the house administrator at the rate of $10 USD per week.
• Airport fees: There is a $10 USD Tourism VIsa Fee to be paid on arrival at the San Salvador airport. (cash only). There is a $29 USD exit fee when departing the San Salvador airport (cash only).
• Donation for projects: Epilogos Charities, Inc requests that you raise at least $500 USD in your community to help sustain future Epilogos projects and to spread awareness of the many needs of the people of EL Salvador. Contact us for suggestions of fundraising ideas.

The people of San José Villanueva who receive project assistance from Epilogos Charities, Inc. must contribute either manual labor, a percentage of the cost of the project, or both. We ask all volunteers to refrain from helping individuals outside of specified Epilogos Charities, Inc. projects. Cash or other donations directly to individuals is a sensitive issue, given the enormous unmet need in El Salvador.

Please ask us about appropriate ways to help.

We are happy to advise!

Epilogos Charities, Inc. is a group of people dedicated to improving the lives of El Salvador's residents. We ask our volunteers to make a serious commitment and to work under difficult and challenging conditions. Therefore, please consider these questions before committing to volunteering:

• Am I ready to stay in place with only cold water for showering/bathing?
• Am I ready to stay in a place that has running water only a few hours daily?
• Am I ready to stay in a place in which the only potable water is purchased in a bottle?
• Can I sleep on a bed or a cot in a space with four other people?
• Am I comfortable living and working alongside people who do not speak English?
• Am I ready for long days of hard work?
• Am I committed to serving others and following a program that is prearranged?
• Am I healthy enough to participate in a program that may be physically demanding?
• Am I ready to merge in to another culture by being flexible and patient in dealing with unexpected inconveniences?
• Do I understand, as with any travel, especially in developing countries, that there are potential risks and that I will assume all liability for my trip?

If you answered YES to all of these, then please print all of the Volunteer Travel Documents - the Application, Liability Release and Safety Protocol.

Then sign and return them to:

Epilogos Charities, Inc.

PO Box 22 

Nashua, NH 03061

Once we receive your application we will contact you with further details. We hope that you will find working in San José Villanueva, El Salvador, to be as enriching to you as it is to the people we serve.