Volunteer Abroad in Chile - United Planet - 2-12 weeks
Location
Chile: Santiago
Description
Chile is one of Latin Americas oldest democracies, interrupted only for a brief period during the Pinochet dictatorship. The country is known for its striking, extreme landscapes: the Atacama Desert, known as the worlds driest desert, the Andes, a seriously lengthy coast, and the remote region of Patagonia. Chileans lovingly refer to their country as The Land of Poets : Nobel Prize-winning poets Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral are a source of national pride. Many Chileans have European heritage; the indigenous Mapuche of the South and Aymara of the North are significant minorities. About one third of Chileans live in greater Santiago and enjoy a lifestyle and diet similar to the Mediterranean region.
Chile may possess one of the strongest economies of the Americas, but not all residents have benefited from recent growth. In the mid-1990s, the government began addressing uneven income distribution but is yet to fully eradicate extreme poverty. Providing all citizens with adequate housing and improving education are necessary for Chile to achieve full social equality for its citizens.
United Planet's Chile program is multifaceted and growing and there are many opportunities for volunteers to make a critical difference. Volunteers can play an important role in contributing to the local community and in building bonds of understanding. Many opportunities are offered on projects supporting and focusing on community development and teaching.
United Planet's Volunteer Abroad Quest program offers signature pre-departure and in-country training, personal volunteer support, meaningful volunteer opportunities, diverse cultural and learning activities, local excursions, a strong host family network, and much more.
Highlights
Volunteer opportunities:
* Construction Group Quest for High School Students (January or July 2013)
* English Teaching Quest
* Day Care Quest
* Healthcare Quest
* Women's Shelter Quest