Description

At this placement volunteers would help feed and bathe the children, and provide one-to-one stimulation through play and games. You would create games and activities for the children to engage in, taking their age and abilities into account. You may be asked to help,(ones that are able to attend school),with homework.

A typical day may look something like this: You would arrive at 1:00 pm and help the staff serve lunch to the children. Some will need to be spoon-fed and others served liquids.

After lunch, you would spend half an hour playing games such as tag or ball with a group of the children. Afterwards, you may circulate and spend one-to-one time with the youth; helping with homework, teaching skills like tying shoelaces or reading a book.

You may then gather the children to participate in making a simple craft. Throughout the day, the staff may ask for your help in dressing the children, combing their hair, and washing their hands.
As part of the team, you may be expected to sweep and help keep the centre tidy.

Highlights

Ministerio de Mujeres y Desarrollo Social (MIMDES), meaning Ministry of Women and Social Development, is a government program of social development for vulnerable populations that suffer exclusion. This organizations works to guarantee the exercising of their rights and improving the quality of life for people living in poor and marginalized conditions. The mission of the ministry is to promote decentralization and contribute to the eradication of poverty, inequality, and exclusion. There focus is on comprehensive human development, equality, and to generate equal opportunity between men and women.

Hogar Matilde Perez Palacios is currently home to over a hundred youth, ranging in age from three to twenty-four years old, all of whom have mental or physical disabilities. This busy environment needs and welcomes extra sets of helping hands to look after all of the children. This organization needs physiotherapists to aid kids with physical challenges in their rehabilitation and physical development.

As a newer home, it lacks all the necessary professional assistance that the youth need. All help is much appreciated in caring for these patients and their numerous basic requirements. Assistance with feeding, bathing and/or dressing them, while showing a little T.L.C.(tender loving care) would do much for their emotional and physical well-being -- plus some relief to an overworked staff. Without the individualized care and stimulation that they need, these youth have limited opportunities to enjoy life and reach their full potential.

Since there are not enough resources to employ sufficient staff, volunteers with love for special children and the skills for working with them would be a great bonus and assist to this organization.

Qualifications

Experience working with special needs individuals would be very helpful to volunteers at this placement.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Education
• 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

Successful volunteers at this placement are those that find it rewarding to work with mental and/or physically challenged youth. You should be creative and enjoy organizing and implementing, age plus ability, appropriate games and activities.

Volunteer Types

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