Training Displaced Children for the Workforce

  Colombia

Bogota,  Cartagena (Cartagena de Indias)

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Flexible

Description: Nuevo Futuro, through the 8 houses it owns, provides a nurturing home for abandoned children to grow up in a family-like environment. Each house has a pair of long term, dedicated "parents" who look after the development of the children, as well as designated nutritionists, psychologists and a pedagogue to help these children grow up in as normal a home as possible.

The organization receives substantial funding from its home government, Colombia to support the raising of these children until they are 18 years old, but Nuevo Futuro faces the increasing challenge of having to prepare these children for the workforce after they reach age 18.

The organization would thus much benefit from individuals (minimum age 18) who could teach their skills to these children. Examples of useful skills are: familiarity with computer usage, IT systems, finance or management skills, typing, artesan craft making or anything that helps prepare these children for entering the workforce.

As a volunteer, your meals and housing would be paid for by the organization, so your expenses would consist of the minimal costs outside of these expenditures in developing Bogota, Colombia. Your help would allow children to gradually self-support themselves, and you will likely enjoy living amongst children who will be eager and enthusiastic to form friendships with you.

Highlights: This internship allows volunteers an intimate living environment where the volunteer can live with a group of children in one of the 8 houses owned by the organization. From this experience, the volunteer can expect to make significant contribution to the development of children who were abandoned or otherwise displaced.

The organization will provide free housing and meals; you will be living in the same house as the children and thus will have ample opportunity to bond with them outside of your responsibilities. The volunteer is responsible for other expenses, which will be minimal in Colombia.

Qualifications: Teaching volunteers need to speak conversational Spanish.

Website designer volunteers and grant writing volunteers need to speak conversational Spanish and English.

The organization's Board and established staff have the shared purpose of providing nurturing homes for displaced children and helping them develop as responsible adults. We seek volunteers with the same shared purpose.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: $200

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Many types of volunteer positions are possible at the organization. We need one to create and design our local website. We need another to apply for grants and funding from international foundations and corporations; the volunteer in this position would benefit from being able to leverage the numerous significant relationships the Board of the organization has with the country's leading businesspeople. Other volunteers needed are teaching positions. We need volunteers to work with children from age 7 to 18, teaching them basic skills that can prepare them for entering the workforce after they reach 18 of age. Examples of desired skill sets of volunteers are: budgeting, general familiarity with computer or office machine usage, typing, accounting, artesan craftmaking, although those unlisted here would likely be useful as well. Additionally, those who wish to mentor the children, reinforcing the concepts these children learn in school, such as in math or writing would be helpful volunteers as well.

Age Range: 18-65

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Colombia Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 2

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Asociacion Nuevo Futuro de Colombia's Mission Statement: Nuevo Futuro, through the 8 houses it owns, provides a nurturing home for abandoned children to grow up in a family-like environment.

Year Founded: 1993