Visit a magical, romantic city on the Caribbean Coast of South America: Cartagena de Indias which was founded in 1533 by the Spanish. You will be awestruck by the magnitude of the still existing infrastructure of the Spanish rule which ended in 1810. Explore the grandeur of the more than ten miles of walls surrounding the old city. Enjoy the fortress of San Felipe and the balconies of the colonial streets. The city has the added luxury of being on the equator where the sun bathes the beaches and islands 365 days of the year with a constant temperature between 85 - 95 degrees.

Unfortunately, in this Caribbean treasure within 30 minutes of the bustling, tourist metropolis, live countless children who know nothing of the division of their city into two worlds. One world is a vacation destination for the rich and the other one is a makeshift, poorly-constructed area. The children know nothing of the existence of the other or simply as a vague illusion of huge buildings so distant they are not reachable. Our humanitarian mission focus at this destination is to provide children the opportunity to receive an education who might not otherwise have one. We work with several sustainable projects which are explained in detail in the itinerary.

Colombian children just need a chance to have the same opportunities for education and health care as children in the rest of the world. This program reaches into the homes of children between the ages of 2 and 6 years and draws them into an educational environment that will give them hope for the future and a desire to be educated that they might never have encountered if not for this program.

Come experience the joy of removing the boundaries for these children so their city can become one. All will have the same opportunities to work together to build a better future.

Beach front hotel, Hotel Costa del Sol, is in the heart of the tourist center, which has been chosen specifically to complement the fact that Cartagena is located on a peninsula in the Caribbean Sea surrounded on three sides by beaches. The hotel also has two pools, one of which is on the roof. The hotel also has internet and wifi.

Culture Shock - There will be some initial culture shock as volunteers will be working directly with children in high poverty areas and in a childrenīs hospital which serves children from the lowest income levels.

Physical Demands - Be sure to stay hydrated as many are not used to the hot weather in the area.

Food and drink - Colombia boasts a variety of wonderful restaurants which feature local cuisine as well as international fare. The specialty of the house is usually something which includes fish and seafood. Natural fruit juices are especially desirable with a variety of flavors of fruits that are not available in the U. S. A.

Volunteer Work - Expect a large array of rewarding volunteer opportunities in working with deprived and at-risk children. Volunteers will be working one-on-one with children on some days and participating in building or recreational area renovation on other days. This trip is a good mix of both physical labor and child interaction.

Cultural Experiences – All volunteers will be offered the opportunity to learn more about Colombian and Cartagena culture through such activities as: a cooking class, a dance lesson, visits to local families, visits to public offices and institutions, excursions to the Totumo Mud Volcano and the Islas del Rosario, museum tours, and visits to historical and cultural sites. Another important element of the trip is that there will be many opportunities to interact with the people of Cartagena from all social levels. There will be opportunities to have discussions with Colombians on a variety of topics of interest to each particular traveler.

Accommodations at the Hotel Costa del Sol
Double or single room accommodations
All sightseeing and tour transfer services as detailed in the above itinerary
Colombian style cooking class
Colombian dance lesson
Welcome dinner at the Hotel Costa del Sol
Farewell dinner in the Historic old city at Monte Sagro
All entrance fees for attractions
Private air conditioned vehicles
Breakfast daily (7)
(5) Lunches
(2) Dinners
All taxes, service charges and tipping