The volunteers’ group, ‘Amigos de San Rafael’ (Friends of St Raphael), was established as a result of any appeal from the Hospitaller Brothers through the Pastoral Care of the Sick in 2010, and the formation began in March, with approximately 71 volunteers. I had always wanted to help and devote part of my free time and cooperation, and in 2012 during a celebration of Mass in the San Rafael Hospital I felt the call to become a volunteer. I joined in June 2012.

The Mission of the Volunteers: drawing inspiration from the Charism of Hospitality in the Manner of St John of God, the AMIGOS DE SAN RAFAEL support the pastoral work of the San Rafael hospital at Pasto, and the therapeutic process of chronic and long-term patients through evangelisation and accompaniment, welcoming lovingly each one of our sick brothers and sisters, and recognising their dignity as children of God.

The purpose of the voluntary association ‘Amigos de San Rafael’ is to play a direct part in the Spirituality of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God to enhance the chronic patients’ therapeutic process, consistently with all the hospital’s rules, instructions and regulations, which are necessary to guarantee an organised and accountable service, in compliance with the Hospitaller Order’s pastoral guidelines.

Our principles are: Hospitality, Humanisation, Quality Service, Free Giving, Solidarity, Complementarity, Integration and group work. The values of voluntary service are: respect, Spirituality, Hospitality, Responsibility/Accountability and Quality.

I was consecrated on October 22 to Serve Christ and the Patients.