Would you like to give back while in Cartagena? We suggest the following organizations:
1. Fundación Amigos del Mar is based on the island of Tierrabomba, only a couple of miles from Cartagena’s wealthy Old City but worlds away in terms of the standard of living. The foundation works to improve the quality of life of island children & the elderly through sustainable art projects, literacy workshops, culture, and water sports. They support the community as a whole by sponsoring trash cleanups, pet spay/neuter clinics, personal hygiene workshops, and more.
Please see how you can help support Amigos del Mar. They also have an Amazon wishlist, from which you could have items sent to your home to then bring with you to Cartagena.
In addition to needing in-kind donations, Amigos del Mar seeks monetary donations to fund workshops, children’s school expenses, activities for seniors, pet neutering, and more. Ongoing financial sponsorship is also welcome. If you’d like to make a financial contribution but the donation options at the link don’t work for you, considering buying an Amazon gift card from the organization’s wishlist which they can use (email to use for the gift card: info@AmigosDelMar.org).
Below is a 5+ minute video briefly showing the life of one of the Amigos del Mar kids (in Spanish with English subtitles):
2. Cartagena Paws is a volunteer based organization dedicated to the rescue of the injured, abused and abandoned street animals of Cartagena, of which there are unfortunately many. These animals are provided with food, shelter, and medical treatment, with the organization’s ultimate goal being to find each and every one of them a loving and permanent home.
Cartagena Paws has an Amazon wishlist, from which you could have items sent to your home to then bring with you to Cartagena. Financial contributions to Cartagena Paws are also welcome.
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Other ways to give back:
**Want to learn more about the Boquilla area & culture, while supporting the community at the same time? Check out the tours offered by community based tour operator EcoTours Boquilla — learn how to throw a fishing net & dance like the locals, tour the mangrove ecosystem, eat great traditional dishes, and more! Hear from EcoTours Boquilla director, Rony Monsalve, and get a taste for the tours from this 2.5 minute video (video in Spanish, although tours can be given in English & French too!).
Tours given by Alex Rocha of The Real Cartagena support The Alex Rocha Youth Center, which supports kids in the disadvantaged San Francisco neighborhood of Cartagena.
Paraiso Dive Cartagena supports the environment & local community. Consider them when booking your SCUBA excursions & courses.
Just Chill can help you with rentals and lessons for surf (kite, wind, & regular) and paddle board; they can even organize a custom Rosario Island tour. Owner Armando is a co-founder of and also helps with Fundación Amigos del Mar.