Giving something back - becoming a hospitalero/a
You made it to Santiago de Compostela and received your Compostela certificate. After months of preparation, countless steps, and the intense experiences on your Camino, it's all suddenly over.
Perhaps at this moment you feel fulfilled, relieved, sad, grateful, agitated, or empty – or all of the above. Don't worry, that's perfectly normal.
Many pilgrims experience a feeling of uprootedness or inner emptiness after their return – the so-called post-Camino syndrome. Everyday life seems different, but their hearts remain on the Way. However, there is a way to keep this connection alive: giving something back .
Continue living the Camino
On our pages we show you how you can become part of our community after your return.
As a member of VLTREIA eV you have the opportunity to pass on your experiences and impressions in the long term – as a hospitalera or hospitalero in our church hostel in La Faba on the Camino Francés.
Many of our members have chosen this path and find it particularly fulfilling to carry on the spirit of the Camino de Santiago by showing warmth, support and hospitality to other pilgrims.
Become part of this experience – give back a piece of the Camino.
Requirements profile for the
Hospitalero/a-Service
Serving as a hospitalera or hospitalero is a voluntary, responsible, and enriching role. We are looking for people who identify with the idea of pilgrimage and the philosophy of our hostel and who enjoy interacting with others.
Requirements:
Desire to volunteer
own pilgrimage experience (or longer preparation)
Sense of responsibility, teamwork skills, sociability
Membership in VLTREIA eV
Participation in hospitalero meetings (Stuttgart or online)
Participation in a preparatory period for qualification
Identification with the club's hosting philosophy
physical and mental resilience
Basic knowledge of Spanish and/or English
PC skills (e.g., pilgrim registration, internet, email)
Ideally, experience in crafts, housekeeping, or organizational fields.
Willingness to serve together with a partner for two to three weeks or to step in at short notice as a substitute.
General conditions:
voluntary work
Accommodation is provided
Meals, travel to and from the destination are at your own expense.
Travel expense allowance may be granted depending on financial means.
Prerequisite: Membership in VLTREIA eV , participation in preparation & willingness to participate in deployments
A service from the heart
Being a hospitalera or hospitalero is not a holiday – it is meaningful work, sometimes strenuous, but deeply fulfilling.
It means being there with heart and devotion, listening, helping, laughing, cooking, cleaning, comforting – and thus passing on what the Camino itself has given us.
Questions about the hospitalero/a service?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our
Hospitalero/a Representative Kurt Scheibler ( kurtscheibler@gmx.net )
or our experienced hospitalero and club member
Hartmut Schwab ( hartmutschwab@gmx.de )