Description

You would organize games and sports, help to plan and implement arts and crafts, and perhaps take some of the children on field trips. They love face painting, camp style games and dancing.
You would help the children with their homework and chores from time to time.

Highlights

This is a home/clinic for abandoned children living with HIV. These children are at the La Posadita as their family cannot care for them any longer. In some cases finances is the reason (their families cannot afford to care for them any longer), in other cases the childrens parents are sick or have passed away from AIDS-related diseases themselves. The home provides a positive and nurturing environment for these children so they can continue to live their lives in a healthy atmosphere and receive medical treatment. Their main objective is that children with HIV live a happy and full childhood while they are living. Volunteers assist the staff to provide quality care and programming to the children living at La Posadita.

90% of HIV cases in children are passed on during pregnancy, childbirth or through breastfeeding as infants. These innocent children have therefore had the misfortune of contracting the virus by no fault of their own. Many children that are infected with HIV have parents that are either sick or have passed away due to the virus. HIV/AIDS is a growing problem in Peru, particularly in large urban areas such as Lima, and some estimates state that there are 17 000 AIDS orphans in Peru. Children living with HIV have many practical and material needs, but they also have social, psychological and emotional needs. It is therefore important that both health and emotional care are provided to children affected by HIV. Children living with HIV/AIDS often experience trauma when they are first diagnosed, start to receive treatment, have to deal with discrimination, experience problems adhering to drugs, or have to deal with the concept of death. They may also face trauma due to the death of a parent from AIDS, since it is highly probable that their mother, at least, is infected. This problem has not been sufficiently addressed by the Peruvian government, and there are few non-government agencies aiding HIV/AIDS affected children. La Posadita del Buen Pastor seeks to fill this need for children in Lima.

La Posadita del Buen Pastor offers a home where the children can reside at the same time as having their educational, physical, spiritual, and emotional needs cared for.

La Posdita needs help in caring for these special children --- some are very ill. The volunteer would play games, organize arts and crafts and perhaps take the odd field trip to the pool or beach with those able to do so. Many of these children, in their stressful, difficult circumstances, have no parents. The attention of a warm and friendly adult would do much towards their mental and physical comfort.

**Please note that La Posadita has a minimum time commitment for volunteers of 6 months. This is a fantastic placement for volunteers who want to volunteer for a longer period of time, really connect with the children and staff and learn to speak Spanish fluently.

Qualifications

Past experience working in summer camps or teaching children is definitely an asset but not essential.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Education
• Sports

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 3,245 for 8 weeks; USD 250 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

Volunteers who enjoy working with children and have the energy and enthusiasm to do so, will love this placement. You should be creative and able to organize arts and crafts, games, and other activities on a daily basis.

Volunteer Types

• Childcare/children
• Education
• Sports
• Teaching
• Tutor

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998