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
It is heartbreaking to know children are living with HIV, but as a volunteer you can help to provide a brighter future. Centro Infantil Dulce Corazón is a childcare facility for children aged 2-4 in an extremely poor neighbourhood in Medellín. Families struggle to meet basic needs, and there is an emergent need for volunteers to assist with childcare. Children are infected with HIV, have lost parents to AIDS, or have parents who are too unwell to care for them. In this position individuals have the opportunity to learn about child and family poverty, and the socio-economic determinants of health, through working with the children.

Examples of Activities:
* Dress and feed children
* Assist staff in the nursery school
* Run extracurricular programs for children

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: Basic 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).

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Starts at USD850 for one week

Cost Includes:

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

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 Volunteers: Teachers, University & College Students, Early Career Professionals Typical Volunteer Hours: Typically you will work only in the mornings in this position. 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

• In-Person Interview Required
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

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