Description

Volunteer abroad in Chile. As in much of South America, children born with disabilities often face a bleak future in Chile. ELI works with several schools for special needs children. The schools work to provide the children with the skills and education they need to integrate into society. Volunteers with this project will have the opportunity to assist with occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other activities to stimulate the children physically and intellectually. This is a great opportunity to help motivate and empower the children at these centers. Interacting with international volunteers is always a high point for the children, and their smiles are unforgettable.

Highlights

All International Volunteers programs are set up on a completely individual basis and tailored to the specific requests and skills of each participant.

The Chile programs are based in Viña del Mar, Chile's garden city. Viña is a dynamic city with some of Chile's nicest beaches, beautiful parks, and a famous music scene.

Viña is a perfect place to be based when exploring all that Chile has to offer including the wine country, skiing during the northern summer, the Andes, The UNESCO Heritage site of Valparaiso, Patagonia and the rest of Chile.

Participants can choose between the unforgettable cultural immersion experience of living with a Chilean host family or the exciting independence of renting an apartment in one of Chile's most exciting cities.

Qualifications

No qualifications required.

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Starting at USD995 for four weeks

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

* Pre-departure Support: International Volunteer staff is very knowledgeable and happy to help volunteers to prepare for their travels.

* Airport Pickup: Volunteers are met at the airport in Santiago and provided with transportation to their host family or apartment

* In-country Orientation: Each volunteer program starts with a two to three day orientation which covers important topics on the logistics of living and working in Chile. Spanish classes are also provided.

* In-country Staff Support: International Volunteer Chile coordinator has years of experience working with visitors to Chile. She is very resourceful and on call 24/7 in case of emergency.

* Accommodations: Participants can choose between staying with a local host family or in an apartment. Participants staying with a host family are provided with a room and breakfast and dinner each day. By living with a family, participants will learn about the day to day rhythms of Chilean life first hand as well as sample traditional meals not usually available in restaurants.

* Participants who choose to stay in an apartment have the flexibility of preparing meals at home and the opportunity to sample the many restaurants in Vina. This housing option is perfect for participants needing more independence.

Experience Required

yes

No

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

There is no typical international volunteer. We work with people from all over the world and a variety of backgrounds. We have placed volunteers ranging in age from 18-81. Successful volunteers are flexible, upbeat, energetic and inquisitive.

Age Range

18 and older

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

International Volunteers's Mission Statement

International Volunteers is the volunteer branch of ELI Abroad, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, founded in 2001, that partners with organizations from around the world making a difference in their communities. We work closely with these groups to ensure that our volunteers get meaningful experiences at reasonable prices. We have something for everyone: whether you want to teach in Ghana, work in an orphanage in Nepal, animal rescue in the rainforest of Ecuador, medical clinic in South India, or study in a university in Buenos Aires.

Year Founded

2001