Get AMPED Abroad: Special Needs Children in Argentina

  Argentina

• Cordoba: 
Cordoba

Term: Throughout the year 
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: Working with special needs children can be an especially rewarding experience as it brings out the best in them and YOU! There is no doubt that it requires a little more of you physically and mentally. Compassion, by far, is the biggest requirement. There is also no doubt that it is time and energy well spent. For the child, it means having the one-on-one attention from someone who cares. For you, the volunteer, it means the lasting memory of watching a child beam with pride after reaching a challenging milestone that you helped him or her to achieve.

Volunteering to work with those that have special needs in a developing country is all the more sweet as they tend to come from impoverished families and the level of care that they receive is usually not sufficient to address their needs.

While working with our project to help children with special needs in Argentina, you will find there are about 70 children that come to the facility for daily counseling and therapy. And there are another 50 or so that come in on a weekly basis.

While the level of responsibility will vary according to each individual's level of experience, here is some of what AMPED volunteers can expect:

* Assisting teachers in the classroom;
* Assisting with therapeutic practices;
* Helping with recreational, manual, and artistic activities;
* Organizing and developing sports and other outdoor recreational activities;
* Reading stories, mentoring, caring for and simply playing with the children;
* Teaching skills such as art, gardening, handicrafts, music, carpentry, and dance.

Highlights: FREE Spanish and Tango lessons.

Participants receive 2 hours of free Spanish Monday-Friday for the duration of their stay, up to 120 hours.

Qualifications: Must be at least 18 years of age. While not a requirement, a basic Spanish level is recommended for this project  colors, numbers, clothing, and other basic vocabulary.

Cost in US$: Starting at 910

Placement information, will include in-country contact information, alternative accommodations for delayed arrivals, currency exchange, phone and internet communication, laundry, etc.

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 or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

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

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 2008