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Volunteer Abroad Buenos Aires Argentina Volunteering Argentinians International Missions Opportunities

Volunteering abroad in Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina and home to over 40% of the countries entire population. People travel to Buenos Aires for the beaches, delicious shops, stunning weather, colorful neighborhoods and arguably some of the best nightlife in the world. Downtown Buenos Aires is as sophisticated as any European city, with its wide avenues, fine colonial architecture and rows of pavement cafes. The city was built by French, Italian and Spanish immigrants and the Porteños (locals) still regard themselves as more European than South American.

Within the city there are disparities between the rich and poor, with many people living in near slum conditions in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Levels of poverty vary greatly between different neighborhoods of the metropolitan area.

In many neighborhoods, people lack proper housing and sanitary conditions, drop out rates are very high and a number of children are living on the streets, or working in the city trash heaps, scavenging for sellable scraps. Over the last decade the economy has teetered near collapse due to corruption and government mismanagement.

Hyperinflation and unemployment leave millions of people living in extreme poverty - mainly children.

Our volunteer programs in Argentina allow you to take part in meaningful community service work, while discovering the people, sights, smells and tastes of Buenos Aires. Volunteering in Argentina is a way to totally immerse yourself in Spanish culture.
Volunteering in Argentina provides a great opportunity to make life-long friends, learn a foreign language and discover that one person really can make a difference. Volunteer with us and see A Broader View of the World.

We offer the following programs in Buenos Aires:

Program Length: from 1 to 24 weeks.n
Program Date: Flexible Start & End Date
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour per day
Accommodations: Shared volunteer housing or Host Family
Meals: Yes, 3 meals a day
Requirements: 17 years or older, Conversational Spanish, flexibility

Social Welfare Programs:

Volunteer placements are available in a local community care center which is a safe environment where learning is encouraged and where the children are getting attention, support and positive reinforce. The Community Centers offer feeding programs, day care services and recreational activities to disadvantaged and poor neighborhoods. These projects strive to improve the lives of children and youth. The children range in age from infancy to 17rs old. Volunteers assist the local staff with the basic needs such as meal preparation, helping with school work, and playing sports. Volunteers assist in promoting community awareness on the importance of education, nutrition, hygiene, self-improvement, accident prevention, and other daily life issues. Basic Conversational Spanish is required, as well as a positive and flexible attitude. *Some tasks to fix up the center are needed: priming, painting walls, fixing desks, making the center more appealing for the children that come there everyday.

Medical / Healthcare Program:

Experienced professionals and medical students are welcome to volunteer in one of Lomas de Zamora's nine health clinics or the larger community hospital. The majority of patients are in seen in the Emergency, Maternity, Gynecology and Pediatrics, General medicine and Public health departments. Your placement in the hospital will be determined by your skills, knowledge and the need of the patients. Medical volunteers assist the local staff in whatever capacity they may need, such as taking medical history, checking vitals, assisting with medicine and supplies.

Medical and nursing students are accepted as well. Proficient advanced Spanish knowledge is required. This is a great opportunity to gain first hand medical experience in a foreign country while donating your time and skills. Healthcare volunteers must be in the medical fields or currently enrolled in school and provide their credentials or university enrollment letter.

Education / Teaching:

Volunteers welcome to assist in local primary school in an impoverished neighborhood. The public school has 400 students between 6yrs-12yrs old. The objective of this program is to help the children review what they learned in school or, in some cases, what they should be learning but haven’t. There are often 40-45 students per teacher in their schools and the teachers are underpaid and often without patience necessary to teach so many children. The children that live in these neighborhoods are often undernourished and as a result have a shorter attention span and find learning and retention more difficult. Volunteers provide one on one support for children who appear to be falling behind. Additionally, they can plan activities to stimulate the children’s minds and keep them actively thinking and learning. Volunteers would begin with the 1, 2 and 3rd grade levels helping with school work and providing one on one support to children in need.

Another option is teaching informal classes at the community center, this includes teaching basic English to youngsters, in a safe environment where learning is encouraged and where the children are getting attention, support and positive reinforcement. Volunteers can also teach basic computers at the community center. The children that live in this area have very limited access to such technology. In fact, the majority of the kids had never used a computer before. Children are 8-12yrs old, volunteers help develop lesson plans to teach the fundamentals of using a computer and software programs like Microsoft Word. Prior teaching experience is not required, just a caring and flexible attitude.

Another option is teaching informal classes at the community center, this includes teaching basic English to youngsters, in a safe environment where learning is encouraged and where the children are getting attention, support and positive reinforcement. Volunteers can also teach basic computers at the community center. The children that live in this area have very limited access to such technology. In fact, the majority of the kids had never used a computer before. Children are 8-12yrs old, volunteers help develop lesson plans to teach the fundamentals of using a computer and software programs like Microsoft Word. Prior teaching experience is not required, just a caring and flexible attitude.

Program Includes:

Airport arrival and departure transfer in Buenos Aires (EZE airport) Local Host Family accommodations included with three meals a day. *Distance from host family to program approximately 2-3 miles and requires public transportation* Orientation and project briefing on arrival, half day Spanish lessons (4hrs only). Introduction, placement and support in a volunteer work project. *Additional Spanish classes can be arranged for you locally. Our project coordinator is available 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise. They can assist in arranging sightseeing excursion before, during or after the volunteer program.

Next Step: Reservation Form