Get AMPED Abroad: Community Development in Argentina

  Argentina

Cordoba

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: First and third Monday of each month

Description: In response to the country's rising poverty, non-profit organizations in Argentina grew in number. Being that governmental assistance is limited, non-profits are in place to provide the underprivileged with a safety net to help them meet their basic needs.

Healthcare, education, food, clothing, work and safety are essential services provided by local community development agencies to help individuals and families reach and maintain self-sufficiency.

Local agencies also seek to encourage active citizen engagement and participation by educating and informing citizens about issues that impact them and their communities.

Today, Argentina's poverty level is somewhere between 20-25 percent. The financial strain this places on non-profits is unimaginable. Add to that limited staff and insufficient training and you have organizations that are not operating efficiently or effectively.

As an AMPED volunteer, there are a variety of ways for participants to become involved and use their skills and experience to help local non-profits improve their capacity and operations.

Volunteers' responsibilities may include:

Support and train young local volunteers in capacity building tasks such as marketing, fundraising, planning, accounting, management, scouting, etc;

Technical assistance: building cooperation and offering assistance in tasks designed to meet the needs of the community such as medical support, clothing drives, library management, legal counsel, and assistance in resolving specific community problems;
Develop communication strategies and collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders and with other community development agencies;

Create written and audiovisual communication tools to encourage citizens to participate in community development activities and to encourage civil dialogue concerning resolution of various issues affecting the quality of life; and

Propose administrative and organizational strategies to effectively facilitate the work of volunteers who sustain the community center.

Highlights:
* Free Spanish and Tango lessons.
* Participants receive 2 hours of free Spanish lessons for the duration of their stay, up to 120 hours.

Cost in US$: Starting at 910

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: While participation is not limited to this demographic, the average age is 18-26. Program placements are in Cordoba, Argentina, which is a college town. Because Argentina tends to be known for its cultural sophistication, participants tend to be on the higher end of the age range. Participants that are flexible and open minded when it comes to cultural differences, ways of life, and work pace are those that tend to benefit most from their experience abroad, as do those that demonstrate initiative with regard to recommending and implementing changes to improve the project and to assist the staff.

Age Range: 18 and over

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

Participants Travel to Argentina Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Resume
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 2008