Community Development and Micro-Enterprise Center in Argentina

  Argentina

• Buenos Aires: 
Buenos Aires

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Flexible, Year Round

Description: Get to know the real Argentina from a unique perspective. This social organization and community center is situated in the famous neighborhood of La Boca. Known for its soccer club, Maradona and as the birthplace of Tango, every tourist knows where to find these colorful and charming houses. What few people know is that the neighborhood is quite impoverished and few children enjoy the benefits of a complete secondary education. To show La Boca's children that they do matter, the center offers care and support to each child and his or her family as well as homework assistance and English classes for all ages. To help families generate a small income, the center has opened a small coffee shop and 'factory' that makes alfajores (tiny Argentine cookies) to sell. The main goal of the project is to teach the members that they can be productive human beings and that small steps lead to big differences in their lives and the community as a whole.

Help is needed to teach English classes, tutor the students after school, or organize new activities to stimulate their personal development or add recreational fun. Volunteers are also needed to help with the operations of the alfajor business and café providing an excellent opportunity to interact with all community members and to be part of a strong community development effort.

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: Minimum commitment is 2 weeks. Experience or education in counseling, teaching and/or childcare is helpful, but not required. 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 $1,150 for a 2 week program

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.

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