Description

Cultural Embrace partners with local humanitarian organizations to share more knowledge about the people and culture in Latin America. Our goals are to assist the at-need and at-risk communities and to improve their standards of living. By contributing your time, energy and passion to others, you will gain a memorable and meaningful experience while traveling abroad.

Volunteer Opportunities include:

* Orphanage Assistance/Street Children
Work in local orphanage homes or shelter for abandoned children. All of these children have come from poor families and suffer from malnutrition and neglect. Assist the limited staff to care for these children. Organize recreational activities, educational activities, sports, arts, crafts, and be the nurturing heart and helping hand that can encourage the children and local staff.

* Teach/Tutor
Assist the local teachers at public schools and community centers with their English classes and other subjects, and provide an inspirational native tongue to the students. Or, act as a role model for struggling teenagers and adults through informal education classes. Most of these students have dropped out of school, but want to look at alternate opportunities to continue their education.

* Social Welfare Development
Work in facilities that help the poor communities of an area. Provide support to at-risk and at-need women and children to learn values, manner, and life skills to become self-sufficient and obtain a higher level of education. Past projects range from tutoring, cleaning, carpentry, program development, sewing, cooking, childcare, business skills training, administrative, data entering, etc.

* Health/Medical Clinics
Work alongside community health and medical clinics. Be a friend to patients, assist medical staff, and organize health/nutrition classes. Knowledge of nutrition, health and medical field are preferred for these project.

* Wildlife Conservation
Participate in wildlife conservation projects to help preserve natural habitats of the local area. Sample projects include sea turtle and bird conservation in Costa Rica, marine conservation in Ecuador.

* Environment/Ecology Conservation
Learn and practice how to be a living example of nature conservation. Work on a private nature reserve and crop experimentation site. Duties include restoring and improving the grounds, plantations and facilities. Interact with the local communities and expand your knowledge with reasons, benefits, and ways to be more environmentally friendly.

* Building/Construction Maintenance
Lend an extra hand with a variety of laborious jobs. Assistance for building, painting, gardening, and wiring are needed for a variety of projects. Experience and knowledge helpful but not required.

Highlights

Volunteer in Latin America Offers:
* A first-hand experience to see and improve the communities in Latin America.
* A broader perspective on world views.
* Opportunity to learn Latin America's lifestyles and community initiatives as well as other cultural activities (ie: language, crafts, dance, etc)
* Memorable experiences while traveling and seeing exotic sites
* Lifelong friends from all around the globe
* International work and cultural experiences that strengthens your resume
* Support and development of self-confidence and personal skills

Cultural Embrace Offers:
* Guaranteed volunteer placement
A customized volunteer placement will be organized prior to your departure.
* Accommodations
Basic, clean and comfortable housing is included in your program. Most housing will be with carefully screened and selected local host families; or at volunteer housing at project sites
* Meals
At least two meals a day, six days per week are included with your program. Meal plans will depend per project and destination. Meals are safe and healthy with emphasis of local cuisine. Dietary and allergy restrictions will be met.
* Language Lessons
Spanish in Central America locations and Portuguese language lessons in Brazil are included during minimum duration (except South American countries-Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru) Additional lessons are available upon request before or during volunteer placement for nominal fees.
* Arrival Assistance
Airport or bus station pickup and transfer to your project site or housing are included with your program.
* Comprehensive International Medical Insurance
Cultural Embrace includes a comprehensive policy for all volunteer participants for the duration of your placement.
* Orientation & Training
You will receive training of your responsibilities and tasks, as well as local orientation of the area from our local coordinators.
* Cultural Embrace Cultural Kit
You will receive useful information prior to your departure to prepare you for your adventure abroad
* Full-time pre-departure and local support
* Visa assistance (if applicable)
* Cultural Embrace will assist you with the process to obtain the proper visa, but we have no control or guarantees of government issuances and visa availability.

Qualifications

* You must be at least 18 years of age, or with adult consent.
* Enjoy providing a service and working with others.
* Capable to live and work in basic and sparse conditions.
* Spanish knowledge preferred.

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

USD1,750 for first 2 weeks, USD335 each addtional week

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Volunteers that share the compassion of helping others and trying to improve the lives of others while gaining a new perspective on their own.

Age Range

all ages

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 weeks-1 year

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Cultural Embrace's Mission Statement

Our mission is to encourage people to recognize and appreciate cultural diversity. We believe that visiting a place firsthand allows one to truly experience the authenticity of a culture and develop his/her own impressions. Our goals are to provide quality service and opportunities for people to explore their world and enlighten their eyes, mind and heart. Traveling is a reciprocated flow of communication and interaction between people...the more you seek, the more you learn. "Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences"