A new recruitment update from Mai Niti was shared through our FB group. Mai Niti is a healing center in the Pucallpa area of Peru, led by Shipibo healers Maestra Lucila and her father, Maestro Leonardo, from the Peruvian Amazon.
The current call includes a general volunteer position and two paid staff roles: content creator and facilitator of the shaman. Fluent Spanish and good English are particularly important because translation and communication with guests are among the main responsibilities. Volunteers and workers begin with a four-week trial period, while each work season lasts four months.
Accommodation and meals are included. The host states that paid staff positions receive USD 500 per month if the collaboration proves to be a good match. Because this project involves ayahuasca and other medicinal plants, prospective participants should carefully read the safety note below and discuss any practical, health-related or legal questions directly with the host before applying.
This project involves ayahuasca and other plant medicines. In Peru, the traditional knowledge and uses of ayahuasca practised by Amazonian native communities have been recognised as part of the country’s Cultural Heritage since 2008. This recognition should not be understood as a general statement about the legality of every use, activity, sale or transport involving ayahuasca. Laws in other countries may also differ, particularly because preparations may contain DMT.Voluntouring.org does not promote or endorse the use of psychoactive substances. Peru’s National Institute of Health has stressed the importance of appropriate safety measures, including consideration of participants’ medical history and suitable conditions for ceremonies. Participation is entirely your responsibility. Please research carefully, consult qualified health professionals when appropriate, and make sure the experience is safe, legal and aligned with your values before applying. Never attempt to transport ayahuasca across international borders without first checking the applicable laws.
About 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 centred 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 kené, 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.
Volunteering / staff job (and other seasons)
Hello! We are looking for new members to join our team 🙂
About us
Mai Niti is a healing center with medicinal plants such as ayahuasca and other plants, located in the Pucallpa area of 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 also become more known around the world. At Mai Niti, the maestros work with ayahuasca and various other medicinal plants to help heal and find peace. We always have people from different parts of the world visiting us.
Volunteering positions
General volunteer
We welcome fun and loving individuals with:
- A lot of compassion and patience.
- A true spirit of service and love for helping others.
- Fluent Spanish and good English-speaking skills. One of the main tasks involves translation and we won’t contact anyone who is not fluent in both languages.
- A willingness to play volleyball with us (this is essential! 😛).
Bonus:
- Experience with ayahuasca or plant diets is not required but may give you an advantage.
- Skills in social media, photography, video creation, writing, or other digital areas are highly valued.
Staff positions (paid)
- Content creator 📸✍️🎥We are looking for a creative and motivated Content Creator to help us share the spirit of Mai Niti with the world.Responsibilities:
- 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 with storytelling, interviews, and articles that honor and respect the tradition.
- Design simple visual materials (flyers, posts, etc.) 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 🌿✨We are also looking for a Facilitator of the Shaman to support our maestros during ceremonies and daily healing work.Responsibilities:
- Act as a bridge between the maestros and guests (translation, clarification, guidance).
- Ensure guests feel safe, supported, and informed before and after ceremonies.
- Assist in the logistics of ceremonies and daily activities.
- Support communication in Spanish and English.
Requirements:
- Fluency in Spanish and English. One of the main tasks involves translation and we won’t contact anyone who is not fluent in both languages.
- Compassionate presence, patience, and emotional stability.
- Respect and sensitivity for Shipibo traditions.
- Prior experience with plant medicine or healing spaces is a plus.
How do we work?
Volunteers/workers start with a 4-week trial to get to know each other.
Each work season lasts 4 months, and there are two seasons per year.
Ideally, you should stay for 4 months with plans to return, but we are open to meeting everyone.
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 for any health issues that arise.
- Accommodation included.
- Staff positions receive a salary of USD 500/month (if we are a perfect match).
- Possibility of doing plant diets (depending on time availability and center activities).
Additional opportunities
- Learn to work with guests.
- Improve your English and/or Spanish.
- Explore the world of medicinal plants and Shipibo medicine.
- Grow spiritually and heal through ceremonies.
- Immerse yourself in Shipibo culture.
- Gain new perspectives through interaction with people from all over the world.
- Build meaningful connections with others.
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! 🌿
Contact details
Interested in joining Mai Niti?
The host asks prospective volunteers and staff members to apply through the official application form. Before making travel arrangements, we recommend confirming current availability, responsibilities, schedules and conditions directly with Mai Niti. Applicants interested in a paid position should also clarify any relevant visa or work requirements with the host and the appropriate authorities.
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 requirements, hosts cannot provide legal
work permits.You can also browse more volunteering opportunities in Peru 🇵🇪.