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, fund-raising, 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.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Starting at 910

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

Includes project set-up arrangements, airport pick-up, accommodations, orientation, and 24/7 emergency in-country staff support, and one time, one way transfer to project site. Participants will also receive information regarding their placement prior to their departure. Placement information, will include in-country contact information, alternative accommodations for delayed arrivals, currency exchange, phone and internet communication, laundry, etc.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

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.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

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

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-4 weeks

Year Founded

2008