Description

As a Special Needs Physical Activities Instructor, you would work towards providing stimulation and giving encouragement to children with a variety of physical disabilities. This would be accomplished by having them participate in numerous physical type games and sport activities, which could include: playing tag, throwing and catching a ball, obstacle courses and other types of activities you organize. In this way, you would help them improve their motor skills and coordination thus building their self-confidence. Many of the children at this centre are immobile; you would work only with the ones who are physically able to participate.

A typical day may look like this: You would arrive at 1:00 pm and spend the first half hour or so simply playing and interacting with the youth. You would then gather them to participate in an structured activity that you had planned and prepared for that day. After half an hour of one activity, you would either get the kids involved in a different sport or game, or gather a different group of youth to take part. It is important that all the children are engaged and everyone feels included when participating in any activity.

When you are not leading activities, you may be asked to assist the staff members with other day to day responsibilities, such as participating at playtime and/or feeding the children. As part of the team, you may also be expected to sweep and help keep the centre tidy and organized.

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 and/or physical disabilities. This busy environment needs and welcomes extra sets of helping hands to look after all of the children.
The organization needs volunteers who are willing and able to dedicate their time to develop, organize and implement physical activities that aim at improving the social and physical development of these youth who are struggling with their numerous disabilities. As a newer home, it lacks some of the professional assistance that the youth need and there are only a few staff to care for many residents. Currently there is no program for exercise and physical activity for the children. There is also a constant lack of people able to offer the children the attention and positive social interaction that would have such a positive effect in their bleak lives.

Due to lack of individualized care and physical stimulation that they need, these youth have few opportunities to enjoy life and/or reach their full potential; thus their bodies become weaker and their minds less active. Since there are not sufficient resources to employ the necessary staff, volunteers with a dedication for working with special children and the skills required to help improve their status would be very much appreciated.

Qualifications

Volunteers at this placement should have athletic abilities and some experience working with special needs children or youth.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Art/Fine Arts
• Education
• Music

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 who would enjoy dedicating their time, in a warm and friendly manner, to physically challenged youth.

Volunteer Types

• Arts
• Childcare/children
• Disability Issues
• Music
• Teaching

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