La Casita del Quirquincho - Volunteer in a Soup Kitchen, La Rioja, Argentina

  Argentina

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

Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks

Description: This new project was created in 2008 by 2 German volunteers who came to Argentina. The mission: "Let's help make children happier" by collaborating with parents and teachers to obtain a better life for the children in the village of San Miguel.

Volunteers abroad with children in Argentina

Most small towns and villages have their own neighborhood center where residents gather for the purpose of problem solving and for celebrating festivities. Often poorly funded, the centers get involved in activities as they can - with the publicschool, the sanitary posts, the maintenance of the public squares, etc. "El Centro Vecinal de San Miguel", the local neighborhood center in San Miguel, is the institution that provides the housing for this project which benefits approximately 40 children, between the ages of 3 and 9.

Highlights: Volunteers will work in the following areas to achieve the main objectives of the project:

    * Teach educational games in order to let children use their leisure time in a productive way
    * Help children with their homework
    * Teach children to play sports obeying rules and respecting their adversaries
    * Offer children a healthy atmosphere away from the street
    * Provide a nutritious afternoon tea, or "merienda" as a means of helping the poorest children with their daily diet.

Qualifications: This project is an excellent choice for volunteers with an intermediate level of Spanish who would like to work helping disadvantaged children and/or assisting with their education. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age - if a US citizen, the volunteers must be 19.

    * Application processing, interview and pre-departure orientation in home country.
    * Pick up at the international airport and transfer to host family.
    * Orientation (country, family life, project) and language evaluation at our offices.
    * 30 hours of one-on-one Spanish lessons with materials and assistance as to activities in Buenos Aires.
    * Sleeper bus transfer to and from host community.
    * Emergency support system.
    * Placement and follow up of the project.
    * Contribution / donation to the volunteer project.
    * Family accommodations with meals during full program unless otherwise requested.
    * Transfer to airport for departure if you choose to leave the country directly after the program ends.

Not included in the program

   1. International airfare to Buenos Aires.
   2. Optional activities.
   3. Transportation during homestays and during the project.
   4. Medical accident insurance (obligatory).
   5. Personal expenses.
   6. Lunches are not included during the homestay in Buenos Aires Monday through Friday

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Argentina Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• 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.