.png){kind=logo}
Our Mission
Maria and Antonio founded Papilio in 2015 after seeing the impact of sex trafficking on other countries and realizing that it was just as prevalent in the town where they reside in southern Spain. Volunteers with Papilio go out to the streets to bring comfort, resources, and hope to women who are victims of sex trafficking. Their goal is to rescue women and children by leading them to safe houses where they can experience healing, restoration, and training for their futures.
The Papilio leadership team partners with local relief agencies such as the Red Cross as well as other NGOs and both the local and national Spanish Government to provide a unique presence on the frontlines through direct contact with women of all ages and from across the world, who through deception and abuse have become trafficking victims.
In addition to their frontline work on the streets, Papilio partners with local municipalities to provide anti-trafficking education in local high schools and to promote awareness in the communities.
Papilio means butterfly in Latin, and the name was chosen by the founders as a reminder that all people should have such freedom as the flight of a butterfly and that each young woman has such beautiful potential.
Our Organization
Those who serve with Papilio realize that the sex-trafficking issue is much greater than they have the ability to change however their hope and motivation comes in knowing they can and have made a difference in the lives of young women, one at a time.
In the US, Papilio partners with the American Friendship Foundation (AFF) to raise funds. Papilio is a registered nonprofit organization in Spain.
This website represents the U.S. fundraising arm for Papilio and is essential for the group to provide necessary supplies, make evening street visits, facilitate rescues when the opportunity occurs, and support women in aftercare programs.
The US fundraising for this group takes place under the umbrella of the American Friendship Foundation (AFF), a 501 (c)(3). AFF sends 100% of any gift made to this project direct to the Papilio non-profit organization in spain. No administrative fees are taken and all donations are tax deductible.
Corporate matching is available on the majority of platforms managed by employers in the US.
Tax Information
AFF adheres to financial principals and practices for accountability recommended by independent financial watchdog organizations. AFF feels that all charities must be fully accountable to their donors. That is why we follow accounting procedures established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
In December 1995 the IRS recognized American Friendship Foundation (AFF) as exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. AFF is classified as a public charity under sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b )(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code, and AFF is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. AFF’s Federal Identification Number is 91-1691404.