On the weekend of the 21st January, I was indeed fortunate to be part of a 2 day Hospitalero Training course in Sydenham which was presented by Eileen and Richard. There were 21 eager and experienced pilgrims who were interested in learning about what volunteering and serving in a donativo alburgue entailed. Not only were Sydneysiders present, but pilgrims who had travelled from as far away as South Australia and Tasmania. They soon got to experience what being under a flight path is like as we constantly paused as planes flew overhead!
In this inaugural 2024 group, there were six members from the Blue Mountains Camino Supporters – (and one more member attended the following weekend) Four of us have already accepted placements for 2024 – and we are very excited. Each of our alburgues is very different.
The training workshop was very comprehensive and delivered in an interactive manner. Topics such as the donativo principle, types of alburgues, how to handle problems as they arise (oh – those bed bugs!), what to do at handover and pilgrim registration and orientation were all explained and discussed. Role plays prepared us for situations we may encounter. Lots of learning in a very relaxed manner.
We completed the course on Sunday afternoon with new friends made. People commented that they now felt confident in volunteering and how Eileen and Richard have prepared us so well.
This was the first of four workshops that they are presenting in Australia this year, preparing about 60 pilgrims to go and volunteer. On behalf of many, I want to thank them for the hours and hours of work they have put in, as well as their insights and expertise, to help keep the donativo spirit alive.
At this stage, the following pilgrims have accepted placements. If you are passing through while we are there, we’d love to see you! They are all the donativo alburgue – see Gronze
- 16 -31 April Jenny will be at Logrono (Frances)
- 16 -31 April Eileen and Richard will be in Villadangos del Paramo) (Frances)
- 1 -15 June Les will be in Ponferrada (Frances)
- 16 -31 July Marina will be in Salamanca (Via de la Plata)
- 16 -31 October Tessa will be in Najera (Frances)
- 16 – 31 October Juliet will be in Bercianos del Camino (Frances)