A new host reached out through our FB group to share this opportunity. Mai Niti is a healing center in Pucallpa, Peru, led by Shipibo healers Maestra Lucila and Maestro Leonardo. The center welcomes international visitors and volunteers who wish to support daily life and learn about Shipibo culture. With the growing interest in ayahuasca and plant medicine, Mai Niti aims to preserve authentic traditions while offering a family-style environment. Compassion, patience, and a spirit of service are at the heart of the experience, along with openness to supporting guests in a sensitive space. Stays begin with a four-week trial, with options to continue across seasonal periods.
Volunteer roles may include helping with meals, guest support, and community activities. There are also paid staff positions such as content creator and ceremony facilitator, starting at 500 USD/month. Benefits include accommodation, meals, cultural immersion, and the chance to learn about Shipibo traditions. Volunteers can also contribute with skills in writing, photography, or social media. This is a space for people who wish to grow spiritually, learn from indigenous knowledge, and engage in meaningful exchange.
This project involves ayahuasca and other plant medicines. In Peru, ayahuasca is legal and recognised as part of the countryโs indigenous cultural heritage. However, in many other countries it is restricted or illegal due to its DMT content. Voluntouring.org does not promote or endorse the use of psychoactive substances. Participation is entirely your responsibility โ please research carefully, consult health professionals if needed, and make sure it is safe, legal, and aligned with your values before applying. Never attempt to transport ayahuasca across borders.
About ths Shipibo culture
The Shipibo are an Indigenous people of the Peruvian Amazon, known for their rich spiritual traditions, artistry, and deep relationship with the rainforest. Their culture is centered on a cosmology that views all beings as interconnected, with plants, animals, and spirits forming part of a living web. Central to their identity is the practice of ayahuasca ceremonies, guided by shamans who use sacred songs, or icaros, for healing and spiritual insight. Shipibo women are renowned for their intricate geometric designs, called kenรฉ, which adorn textiles, pottery, and even bodies, serving as visual representations of cosmic patterns and spiritual knowledge. These designs are not just decorative but carry meaning linked to health, balance, and harmony. Despite pressures from modernisation and deforestation, the Shipibo maintain resilience, preserving their traditions while also engaging with broader Peruvian society through art, medicine, and cultural exchange.
How to apply ๐ฉ
Please introduce yourself, your background, skills, and availability.
VOLUNTEERING / STAFF JOB (and other seasons)
Hello! We are looking for new members to join our team ๐
About Us
Mai Niti is a healing center working with medicinal plants such as ayahuasca and others, located near Pucallpa, Peru. It is led by two indigenous healers from the Shipibo tradition: Maestra Lucila and her father, Maestro Leonardo, from the Peruvian Amazon.
In recent years, with the rise in popularity of ayahuasca, Shipibo culture has become more known worldwide. At Mai Niti, the maestros work with ayahuasca and other medicinal plants to help people heal and find peace. We regularly host guests from many countries.
Volunteering Positions
General Volunteer
We welcome fun, loving individuals with:
- a lot of compassion and patience;
- a true spirit of service and a love for helping others;
- fluent Spanish and good English-speaking skills;
- a willingness to play volleyball with us (this is essential! ๐).
Bonus: Experience with ayahuasca or plant diets is not required but may be an advantage. Skills in social media, photography, video creation, writing, or other digital areas are highly valued.
Staff Positions (Paid)
- Content Creator ๐ธโ๏ธ๐ฅResponsibilities:
- Create photos, videos, and written content that reflect daily life, Shipibo culture, and the community spirit of the center;
- Manage and schedule posts for social media platforms;
- Support storytelling, interviews, and articles that honor and respect the tradition;
- Design simple visual materials (flyers, posts) to promote activities.
Requirements: Strong skills in photography, videography, editing, and/or writing; ability to keep content authentic while being creative; sensitivity and respect when documenting spiritual practices; initiative to propose and develop new ideas.
- Facilitator of the Shaman ๐ฟโจResponsibilities:
- Act as a bridge between the maestros and guests (translation, clarification, guidance);
- Ensure guests feel safe, supported, and informed before and after ceremonies;
- Assist with logistics of ceremonies and daily activities;
- Support communication in Spanish and English.
Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and English; compassionate presence, patience, and emotional stability; respect and sensitivity for Shipibo traditions. Prior experience with plant medicine or healing spaces is a plus.
How We Work
Volunteers/workers start with a 4-week trial period to get to know each other. Each work season lasts about 4 months; there are two seasons per year. Ideally, you should stay 4 months (with plans to return), though we are open to meeting people for different arrangements.
What Are the Benefits?
- Take ayahuasca once a week (if you wish);
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided (or you can prepare your own meals);
- Medicinal plants available for health issues that arise;
- Accommodation included;
- Staff positions receive a salary of USD 500/month (if we are a perfect match);
- Possibility to do plant diets (depending on timing and center activities).
Additional Opportunities
- Learn to work with guests;
- Improve your English and/or Spanish;
- Explore medicinal plants and Shipibo medicine;
- Grow spiritually and heal through ceremonies;
- Immerse yourself in Shipibo culture;
- Build meaningful connections with people from around the world.
Interested in Joining Us?
If this resonates with you and you feel the call, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/BxW3xVKVZwXKVKic7
We look forward to hearing from you soon! ๐ฟ
Voluntouring.org promotes opportunities rooted in cultural exchange and mutual learning.
Before applying, ask yourself: is this a fair exchange, or could it replace paid labour?
Choose consciously, ask questions, and make sure the experience is respectful, safe,
and aligned with your values. Always check visa requirementsโhosts cannot provide legal
work permits.
