Description

This program consists of many social work related projects around San Jose. Participants can choose from teaching at elementary schools, working with handicapped and disabled children, assisting at orphanages and shelter homes, and working with the elderly.

The elementary schools provide education to 5 to 12 year old children. In these institutions, children are taught the regular school subjects (Math, Geography, and Science). They also offer Physical Education, Arts, Music, and Computer lessons. In addition, they have their foreign language class which is English in most of the cases.

The schools for disabled children are dedicated to the attention of the population with physical and/or emotional problems who cannot attend a regular school. These institutions assist autistic children, kids with hearing problems, vision problems and Down syndrome cases.

The orphanages and shelter homes give children that are suffering from physical or psychological abuse a temporary place to live while the parent(s) undergo counseling or treatment. If the domestic situation cannot improve, the children are moved to a permanent orphanage with the hopes of future adoption. They also tend to children whose mothers, because of drugs and alcohol addiction, decided to give them up for adoption. These temporarily homes provide children with necessary counseling and psychological assistance, and health services (doctors, dentists, therapies) in a home-like atmosphere.The homes are privately run by volunteers and operate with government support and donations.

The objective of the nursing homes for the elderly are to provide a family-like atmosphere of acceptance and respect. They try to fully address the needs of the elderly and take into consideration their skills to offer a better quality of life. Health and dental care along with physical and recreational activities are part of the services given to the residents.

Highlights

Volunteer work in San Jose differs depending on the project chosen by the participant. It can include but is not limited to:

* Teaching arts and crafts
* Teaching languages, especially English
* Preparing extra materials for the lessons
* Organizing games and recreational activities
* Playing sports and outdoor games
* Helping out with light chores necessary for the day-to-day running of the homes
* Helping in the improvement and embellishment of the facilities of the projects

Qualifications

- Minimum age is 18
- Basic knowledge of Spanish (courses offered during orientation)
- Full travel and medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

925

Program Fees Include:

Participants working in San Jose will have easy access to the language school where orientation takes place and are welcome to continue using the facilities and services while they do their volunteer project.

Volunteers will enjoy of all the services at the language school such as free Internet access, use of telephones, mail service and also the cultural activities: dancing and cooking lessons, and conversation sessions.

At the Volunteer Work Center, participants will receive all the necessary information about their projects and the program. Volunteer work coordinators will answer their questions and provide any assistance throughout the week.

Experience Required

yes

Basic knowledge of Spanish (courses offered during orientation)

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume

GoEco - Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement

(1) Encourage ecological and volunteer tourism that promotes sustainable development (2) Enable travelers to experience different and more rewarding kinds of tourism. (3) Encourage travelers to volunteer for the benefit of others and thus to serve as a good-will ambassador to other countries in the world. (4) Encourage travelers from all over the world to come to Israel for ecological and community-based projects, in both the Arab and Jewish sectors, and experience firsthand the unique cultural and natural diversity in this region. (5) Support environmental and humanitarian projects that promote understanding and good will between ethnic societies in Israel. (6) Conduct further research in the field of ecological tourism, such as the 'Ecological Footprint' as a tool for sustainable tourism development. (7) Establish an in-depth and up-to-date data base of the relevant projects worldwide. (8) Create a platform from which to explore the various organizations that support the environment and actively encourage volunteering.

Year Founded

2005