Multi-National Group Program in Argentina - Build a Community Greenhouse

  Argentina

• Buenos Aires: 
Buenos Aires
• All Other Regions of Argentina: 
Salta

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: August 26 to September 16

Description: Be part of a project working with rural schools in Salta, to improve the lives of students and their parents who have literacy and nutrition problems due to their isolated location and lack of economic resources. The first two stages of the project consisted of the reconstruction and maintenance of the schools and the setting up of a sponsor care system to provide financial aid for the children.

The third stage of the project is "the family and the environment", which consists of enabling the community to become sustainable and produce their own resources, such as milk, fresh fruit and vegetables. The micro project for 2009 is to design and construct the community garden and greenhouse, which two or three local families will share in the responsibility of maintenance. This follows from the successful restoration of the school greenhouse, which now produces many varieties of fresh vegetables under the care of the school's agronomy teacher and the work of the students. It provides much needed nutritional diversity, which is otherwise unavailable in such a cold and arid climate. The hope of this micro project is to extend this resource into the community surrounding the school.

Highlights: This is a pilot project and if successful, it will serve as an example when implementing this model in other locations with other families.

Qualifications: Volunteers will be involved in providing building materials, labor, funding and know-how to design and build a community garden and greenhouse. It is recommended that volunteers have at least basic Spanish language skills, as the project is located in a rural area where there is little if any English spoken.

Cost in US$: 1456

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Argentina Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Volunteers for International Partnership's Mission Statement: Volunteers for International Partnership offers each international volunteer an opportunity to learn a culture from the inside while doing valuable community service, peer to peer, in a stimulating new environment. VIP is committed to: *Careful selection and preparation of the volunteer, host family and Host Organization. *Emphasis on the education and self-awareness gained through international community service and volunteering. *Planning the volunteer's intercultural experience to highlight enrichment from cultural differences. *Full immersion in the host culture through orientation, language training, worksite and housing selection. *Individualization of volunteer placement design to take full advantage of volunteer differences in skill, age, experience and diversity. *Effective evaluation of the experience and the Host Organization. *Strong efforts to enhance the volunteer's social adjustment to regional habits and customs. *Choosing volunteer service projects that are worthwhile, safe, meet the needs of the local community and are conducted responsibly with regard to environmental, social and local issues.