Description

Our partner, Positivos por la Vida, also known simply as Positivos, is a leading organization providing care to children and their families living with HIV & AIDS in Colombia. It was started in 1992 when individuals living with HIV/AIDS realized there was a gap in services in Medellin. Sadly, many founding members have passed away. But Positivos remains strong, restoring fundamental human rights to children affected by HIV & AIDS through their social and humanistic strategy.

Positivos runs a program called Dulce Corazon. Started in 2006, it provides permanent housing to 20 children from ages 0-18. The children are living with HIV/AIDS, have lost one or both parents, and may have been exposed to family violence, drug abuse, poverty, prostitution, and displacement. It is through this program that the basic human rights of children are restored, and children learn to maximize their life potential by taking a positive response to their diagnosis of HIV or AIDS.

Your Role
This is an excellent opportunity to get involved with a leading provider of care in Colombia for children and families living with HIV/AIDS. Individuals are always needed to help build capacity so that our partner's reach can be extended. Exact activities will be determined upon the background of the individual. Examples of activities are fundraising, grant writing, donor development, program planning, and program evaluation. In this position the volunteer or intern will be engaged in both childcare and administration, with a focus on the latter.

Examples of Activities:
Childcare:

Dress and feed children
Tutor children in various academic subjects
Assist staff in the nursery school
Mentor children
Run extracurricular programs for children
Administration

Update Website
Write and submit grant proposals
Network and solidify and/or strengthen partnerships with international funders

Highlights

Language
You can compliment your volunteer experience with Spanish classes. On days when you have class, you will spend half the day volunteering and the other half learning Spanish.

Class setting: You will learn Spanish in a small group setting (1-6 students). All teachers are university-trained Spanish teachers. You will learn through reading & writing, the use of media, and field trips where you are guided in actively practicing your Spanish

Option to Learn Spanish Virtually

From the comfort of your own home, you can learn Spanish before you depart. For this option you will need a webcam and Skype (free download from the internet).

Standard Spanish: Two Hours, Three times per Week
Intensive Spanish: Two Hours, Five times per Week

You can add as many weeks of language learning as you like to your placement. View costs to determine how much your program will cost depending on how much Spanish you would like to learn.

Qualifications

Language Requirement: Intermediate Spanish (Note: if you do not have the required level of Spanish, contact us to learn about options for language learning before your placement or other opportunities which may be suited to your goals and skills)/

Intern Types

• Communications
• Development
• Education
• Social Work

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Starts at USD850 for one week

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• Food
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure
• Written materials abroad
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

* Pre-departure support: You will have a staff member available to support you throughout your time preparing to go abroad. In addition, you will be provided with all the resources you need including your Pre-Departure Manual & Culture Matters Workbook. The pre-departure manual includes all information you need regarding your destination, as well as advice on blogging and fundraising. The Culture Matters Workbook is a self-study course focused on:
- Culture shock
- Issues power and race
- Managing politics, religion, and gender
- Working effectively in a cross-cultural setting
- Preparing to reintegrate as you return home
* Transportation to and from the airport
* Food (at least two meals per weekday)
* Accommodation (single or double occupancy in shared apartment)
* Organization placement
* Reference letter and/or compliance with your college or university for course credit (Upon request; 90USD fee applies for students obtaining course credit)

What's not Included
* Airfare
* Insurance
* Vaccinations
* Local transportation
* Pocket money

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Typical Volunteer: College & University students, teachers, early career professionals. Typical Volunteer Hours: Typically you will work 9am-5pm in this position. You can take mornings or afternoons off if you will be learning Spanish while volunteering. You can take long weekends to travel and explore Colombia, just let your supervisor know in advance. While generally volunteers are involved in a typical workday alongside local staff and volunteers, we know that you are volunteering your valuable time. Therefore, if you would like to volunteer for less hours, this is ok. You can arrange this with your supervisor once in Medellin.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Guest House

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

Media Matters Award We offer awards of up to 300 USD to defray the costs of volunteering abroad. Applicants must demonstrate a desire to contribute to our online community in the long term through various forms of media. Types of media include but are not limited to blogging, photography, online articles, and video content. Other forms of media which can be transferred for viewing online, for example painting, drawing, and sketching, are also possible. We welcome innovative ideas. Successful applicants have a clear and well-organized plan regarding what media they will create, and demonstrate a commitment and proven ability to complete their media project. Application Deadlines: March 15th, June 15th, September 15th, December 15th

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

3 days

The Humanity Exchange's Mission Statement

To provide exceptional international exchange experiences, that foster globally minded conscientious leaders and contribute to development in cooperation with local communities.

Year Founded

2009