Home for Children Infected with HIV in Argentina

  Argentina

• Buenos Aires: 
Buenos Aires

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Flexible, year round

Description: Get to know the real Argentina as a traveler, not a tourist, by lending your time, care and attention to a project that is making a profound difference in the lives of some very young Argentineans infected with HIV. The project consists of three homes for children ages 3 to 13 years old who have been infected with HIV or who are suffering from AIDS. Each home houses around ten children, all of them with different stories. Many have been placed here as a result of unsuitable families or improper care given at their homes. Some have the support of their brothers and sisters who have also been placed here but others have dealt with separation. No matter the situation, their hope is to live out their childhood getting to do what ordinary kids do. The project is growing and plans to open a new home for older children in the near future.

Volunteers will help the children with their daily tasks and to organize extracurricular activities. They will need help with schoolwork as well as recreational fun. The volunteer should plan to be creative when down time occurs with the children. You may spend time at all three of the houses. Above all, the volunteer will be a positive figure for each child to look up to.

Volunteers will stay with carefully screened host families for the duration of the program. Two meals a day with your host family are included in your stay.
**No meals are served on Sundays.

Our staff in the U.S. are experienced volunteers themselves who are happy to share their insight and expertise with prospective volunteers. Our partner staff in Argentina are friendly, caring and dedicated to ensuring that each volunteer's experience is the best it can be. You will be met at the airport and will receive a personal orientation to your new home and your project within the first few days of your arrival. A staff member in Argentina will be available to you throughout your program.

Highlights: Homestay with a carefully screened, Argentinean host family, two meals daily, support of friendly, experienced staff in the U.S. and in Argentina, comprehensive accident and medical insurance, 24 hour emergency support.

Qualifications: A minimum commitment of 8 weeks is required. Experience or education in counseling, teaching, HIV/AIDS and/or childcare is helpful, but not required. Volunteers must be caring, compassionate and have a love for children. An intermediate level of Spanish is required. Spanish lessons are available prior to the volunteer project in Buenos Aires for an additional fee.

Cost in US$: Program fees start at $2250 for 8 weeks

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: CCI volunteers are all ages and come from diverse backgrounds. All are caring, flexible individuals who are interested in an authentic cultural experience rather than a typical tourist experience.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Argentina Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Center for Cultural Interchange's Mission Statement: Founded in 1985, the Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development and world peace. Based in Chicago, Illinois, CCI organizes cultural exchange programs for participants of all ages, including high school abroad, independent homestay, internship, language study, eco-tours and volunteer programs in over thirty countries around the world.

Year Founded: 1985