Description

You would be assisting the program leaders in engaging the seniors in crafts and other activities. This may involve organizing materials, handing out supplies, helping the seniors with weak motor skills, chatting with them as they do their activities, and suggesting new ideas to the leader. In the mornings, you may also help the seniors cultivate their fruit and vegetable garden by planting seeds, weeding, and harvesting the produce and to care for the small livestock, such as ducks and rabbits, that they raise. On a daily basis, you will also lead a half hour seated exercise session, which the seniors really enjoy! If a volunteer has musical abilities, they may also engage the seniors in a daily singing and music session.
You may be asked to help maintain the centre by sweeping and tidying up from time to time.

Highlights

INABIF, (National Family Welfare Institution), is the main public institution, operating under the Ministry of Women and Social Development (MIMDES), in charge of the protection and holistic development of children, teenagers, adults with disabilities, and senior citizens in situations of risk or abandonment, especially those in poverty or extreme poverty. INABIF operates 36 homes and 35 daycentres in Peru. INABIF homes and daycenters provide educational opportunities, health and medical care, proper nutrition, and vocational training programs to the children, youth, and adults in its care.

Economic hardship, with an estimated 54% of the population below the poverty line, and high birth rates have led to a large number of street orphans and abandoned children in Peru. There are an estimated 600,000 children abandoned or orphaned in the capital city of Lima alone. Apart from this, many children in Peru suffer from violence in their homes. These are the children that INABIF seeks to protect.

INABIF, works with disabled children and adults focusing on providing a space for them to develop socially, physically, and mentally. They learn vocational skills such as producing handicrafts, social skills, and receive special education according to their needs. Life in a developing country is difficult for any impoverished individual; but disabled people face particularly challenging circumstances. In many communities of Lima, mental disability carries a significant stigma. Often disabled individuals do not receive the education they may need to lead their unique lives. In many cases, mostly in poor families who can not afford care for them and/or are misinformed about their conditions, keep them at home without adequate care or attention, further worsening their condition.

The elderly residents with whom they work are most often economically and physically dependent on their families. However, due to poverty, the families are unable to provide the care they need, such as health services and recreational opportunities. INABIF provides a space where the elderly can participate in social gatherings, practice skills such as knitting, and work in a vegetable garden to provide food for themselves and their families.

INABIF conducts programs for senior citizens living in this poverty stricken area of Lima. Help at the program is always needed and greatly appreciated. This centre is the only form of social contact for some of the seniors, many of whom live isolated, lonely lives and have experienced or witnessed the effects of terrorism at the hands of the guerilla group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) in the past. A volunteer who could help organize activities and implement interesting new programs would be a valuable help to the staff. Perhaps most importantly, your friendly company and sympathetic conversations with the seniors would make an enormous impact in their lives, simply by spending time with them.

Qualifications

No experience or skills are required. We only ask that you enjoy working with and talking to senior citizens! Previous experience in gardening and feeding small animals such as rabbits and ducks may be helpful.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Art/Fine Arts
• Medicine

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

The ability to converse with seniors and relate to those with difficult life circumstances is essential. A volunteer here should also be able to take initiative in implementing activities, and flexible because the program activities may change frequently.

Volunteer Types

• Adult Education
• Arts
• Elderly
• Recreation

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
• Written Application

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