7 NGOs Making a Positive Impact in Spanish-Speaking Countries
Inequality and poor distribution of resources makes some Spanish-speaking countries and their populations highly vulnerable.
Problems like access to quality education, decent healthcare, and preservation of natural resources are often a challenge for society—especially for women and children in rural areas.
Fortunately, NGOs in Spanish-speaking countries are providing support and solutions to these problems in many creative and effective ways.
The people behind these thoughtful organizations are committed to being changemakers and to spreading their values to others.
In this line-up of 7 impactful NGOs in Spanish-speaking countries, learn about their missions, where they’re making waves, and how to volunteer for your Spanish-immersion experience.
Table of Contents:
- Making a Positive Impact Is Necessary
- MAIA Impact School – Guatemala
- First-Hand Aid – Cuba
- Grace Honduras – Honduras
- Global Infancia – Paraguay
- Vida Silvestre – Uruguay
- Fundación Más por TIC – Colombia
- Fundación Mensajeros de la Paz – España
- Use Your Spanish To Make an Impact
Making a Positive Impact Is Necessary
Spanish-speaking countries carry a heavy history of internal wars and inequality that is reflected on the livelihoods of their societies. It’s also worth mentioning that as a consequence of the pandemic, these harsh living conditions continue to increase.
Even with the beauty, productivity, and resources in these countries, many people struggle to access dignified living conditions. There are many things to be done, and changes to be made for achieving a fair, responsible, and ethical development.
The good news is that several talented leaders and individuals are fighting for a better reality in remote, rural, and urban areas. NGOs in Spanish-speaking countries are taking a stand while they advocate for social and environmental justice.
These incredible initiatives are driven by selflessness, specific goals, fundraising, and mostly by committed human beings who strive for more fairness and equality in our world.
The following 7 NGOs in Spanish-speaking countries will inspire you to join their mission, support their vision, and get on board with them during your next Spanish-immersion trip.
1. MAIA Impact School – Guatemala
MAIA Impact School is breaking barriers and changing the lives of young indigenous women in the Sololá region of Guatemala. Gender inequality, mass migration, domestic violence, unwanted pregnancies, and illiteracy are some of the many issues affecting women, and children of Guatemala.
Formerly known as Starfish, MAIA is one of the most reputable NGOs in Spanish-speaking countries. The non-profit opened its school in 2017 in hopes of providing better academic opportunities and quality education to young women.
Their goal is to empower the young girls and their families in breaking the cycle of poverty, and gender stereotypes. By involving the families in supporting their daughter’s education, MAIA enables them to have economic autonomy, continuous learning, family planning, and empowering other women.
The organization is also led by a team of female leaders, 80% of them being indigenous, and 30% graduated from their programs. They currently have 239 students enrolled in their school.
They proudly celebrated their first middle school graduation in 2019 and will be celebrating their first high school graduation this 2022.
Their amazing mission made MAIA the proud recipient of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2019. It has also gained recognition from the United Nations and the Malala Fund.
MAIA holds a bright future ahead and by having many talented young women in their team, the organization is bound to keep growing and impacting more families.
How To Help
You can support the work of MAIA by becoming a monthly ally or a one time donor.
Follow Their Work
The work done by MAIA is highly necessary in a country like Guatemala. Read 6 Alarming Facts About Education for more insight.
2. First-Hand Aid – Cuba
First-Hand Aid is one of many NGOs in Spanish-speaking countries that focuses on supporting medical professionals and healthcare.
The organization is in Cuba, and hosts American donors and volunteers who want to get involved.
In spite of being an enchanting island, a place with rich culture and landscapes, the complex history, and fragile political relations make Cuba a mystery to those who live outside.
First-Hand Aid is looking to uncover the true richness of Cuba by supporting its most valuable resource: the Cuban people.
The organization has developed solid relationships with the Cuban government, clinics, hospitals, and families by providing much needed supplies and equipment.
Their mission trips and donations allow them to tackle the lack of modern technology and access to medication for Cuban healthcare. As they gather and distribute humanitarian help, First-Hand Aid supports seniors, children, families, and entire neighborhoods who struggle to make ends meet.
They have hosted up to 48 volunteers, established 6 medicine dispensaries, distributed 1,200 pounds of goods and medicines, and helped up to 800 children in need in 9 different cities.
How To Help
Put your Spanish to practice with a good cause, and join First-Hand Aid in one of their four annual volunteer trips to Cuba.
You can also support their ongoing Global Giving fundraiser as a donor and bring them one step closer to their goal. They also have other options for you to become a monthly donor.
Follow their Work
Discover all the amazing things Cuba has to offer in Explore the Flavorful Culture of Cuba: Food, Festivities, and More.
3. Grace Honduras – Honduras
Grace Honduras is a non-profit committed to standing against child exploitation by educating and empowering the families who work in garbage dumps and landfills of Honduras.
They target over 200 children who live in extreme poverty and are exposed to child labor in the city of San Pedro Sula.
The organization became a reality after its founder, Katherine, did a volunteer translator mission in the country. Seeing young children walking barefoot, hungry, and working in piles of trash awoke in her an extreme compassion, and a drive for changing this heartbreaking reality.
Among the different NGOs in Spanish-speaking countries, Grace Honduras has a unique and intersectional approach. They target physical, intelectual, psychological, familiar, and spiritual needs through their school.
They have over 200 students for whom they provide 2 to 3 meals per day, clean drinking water, dental and medical care, sensory stimulation, literacy, psychological care, family housing, and more.
Their mission is truly admirable and has led them to support many families in accessing dignified living conditions.
How To Help
Get Spanish immersion by supporting Grace Honduras as a volunteer in one of their mission trips.
You can also support their ongoing Global Giving fundraiser, and you can sponsor a student each month.
Follow Their Work
4. Global Infancia – Paraguay
Global Infancia (Global Childhood) is a part of the most reputable NGOs in Spanish-speaking countries. It’s originally from Paraguay and it advocates for the civil rights of girls, boys, and teenagers.
Throught partnerships and strategic alliances, they develop informational campaigns and programs focused on creating awareness on child abuse, child labor, education, and community development.
The organization has a strong focus on participation and teaching children to become advocates of their own rights and take charge.
Their primary goal is to empower the young Paraguayan society, and to foster intercultural relationships among children. Global Infancia also provides consulting services and training to institutions who want to improve their intervention and impact on children.
How To Help
Global Infancia offers multiple options for you to contribute to their mission. You can choose between making a donation, becoming an intern, or traveling to gorgeous Paraguay as an independent volunteer.
Follow Their Work
Paraguay has intangible cultural heritage for volunteers and travelers to experience. Learn about Paraguay’s National Herbal Drink: Tereré.
5. Vida Silvestre – Uruguay
Vida Silvestre (Wildlife) is a conservation non-profit from Uruguay. They focus on building a network of biological corridors and wildlife preserves in collaboration with local authorities.
Their main goal is protecting Uruguay’s biodiversity and designing action lines that can be applied to local legislation.
Vida Silvestre also encourages the inclusion of local communities and their participation in ecotourism, environmental education, and natural resource preservation.
They are building a network of voluntary conservation initiatives in privately owned farms in hopes of establishing safe zones for biodiversity. They also have an ongoing registry for monitoring marine wildlife and sightings.
How To Help
Vida Silvestre has partnerships with several local organizations with whom they can connect you as a volunteer. Since their work is highly specific, the screening process requires only skilled volunteers. You may contact them directly for further information.
Follow Their Work
6. Fundación Más por TIC – Colombia
Más por TIC (More for Information and Communications Technology) has a highly unique purpose when it comes to NGOs in Spanish-speaking countries.
They work in strengthening connectivity between rural and urban areas of Colombia through technology and communication.
Through hands-on training and shared knowledge, Más por TIC connects with farmers, and supports them in making their business models more competitive, and innovative.
They have reached up to 1,000 people in rural Colombia through their programs. Más por TIC allows farmers to stay up to date with supply and demand, design pricing strategies, and increase capacity by using technology.
Digital transformation is now more necessary than ever. By bringing this knowledge to rural Colombia, Más por TIC is empowering community leaders with digital literacy, and enabling them to share this knowledge with others.
How To Help
You can support them by donating to their Global Giving Fundraising.
Follow Their Work
Start making plans to visit this marvelous country after reading What You’ll Find on Your Trip to Colombia: Culture, Food, and More.
7. Fundación Mensajeros de la Paz – España
Fundación Mensajeros de la Paz (Messengers of Peace Foundation) is a registered non-profit with operations in Spain. It was founded by a missionary named Father Ángel.
The foundation addresses the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe, and supports the different nationality refugees who arrive in Spain in hopes of starting a new life.
Through international cooperation partnerships, they facilitate integration to society for refugees. They have awareness campaigns, soup kitchens, food banks, clothes donations, shelters, and safe spaces for survivors of domestic violence.
The work done by the organization is truly mind-blowing. They have several lines of action, among them fundraising for refugee camps in neighboring countries.
The organization is currently focusing efforts on incoming refugees from Ukraine, and other nations in conflict in Africa and the Middle East.
How To Help
You can donate online or sign up to become a partner. They also have volunteer opportunities in Spain; working in the soup kitchens or preparing care packages.
Follow Their Work
Not all Spanish sounds the same! Prepare for your volunteer experience in Spain with this entertaining blog post on The Varieties of Spanish Dialects.
Use Your Spanish To Make an Impact
These NGOs from Spanish-speaking countries are worthy of admiration and recognition. The work they do is proof of the kindness, warmth, and commitment of Spanish speakers in contributing to a better reality for their communities.
Get involved with their valuable mission by polishing your Spanish skills. Sign up for a free trial class with our team of experienced professionals from Guatemala. Through our effective learning strategies, and by engaging in conversation with a native speaker you’ll fast track your fluency in no time.
Ask about our different pricing options and choose the program that fits your needs. By taking your Spanish learning seriously, you’re guaranteed to enjoy and make the most of any volunteer experience, or holiday.
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