VOLUNTEER IN BUENOS AIRES

Voluntario Global, a non-profit community center focusing on community development and educational support for children and adults, is seeking volunteers for each of their two sites: Soldati (shantytown) and La Boca (tenement community). Programs are Mon – Fri with varying schedules depending on project and location.

 

Options for volunteers with basic Spanish include: academic support and recreation with children; and teaching (literacy, computers skills, workshops) to adolescents and adults.

 

For more advanced Spanish speakers, options include:

 

Small cooperative administration

 

 

Project development/research

 

 

Institutional development

 

 

Communication, marketing

 

Team management

 

 

 

One volunteers experience:

 

During the month of July, 2008, I volunteered at a community center in La Boca, a poor barrio or neighborhood in Buenos Aires.  My experience was organized by Voluntario Global, an organization that coordinates community centers' needs with volunteers' abilities.  The center in La Boca centered on job creation and meal provision; the companjeros baked bread, ran a small textile factory and made screen prints to raise revenue to pay rent, utilities and other operation expenses.  They also ran a large kitchen which fed those involved.  Additionally, the center provided English and computer classes. 

I taught computer classes three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Classes ran for one hour and had between one and three students.  I taught two or three classes daily when I was in La Boca.  We covered Microsoft Word (correct punctuation, text alignment and manipulation, ect.), Gmail, Hotmail and the basics of Microsoft Excel.  The students were excited to learn.  For many, it was a necessity; most worked in the center's administration and needed to format letters requesting a certain amount of potatoes or check their email.

My contact with Voluntario Global was exceedingly pleasant.  Both Roxana and Maria are wonderful; not only did they coordinated my classes (which proved great practiced for my Spanish), they were patient with my Spanish despite the fact they both spoke English well.  Further, Roxana invited the volunteers to political protests over the soy retentions, giving my insight into Argentine politics I would otherwise not have been exposed to.  Maria organized an dinner with the director of the community center in the La Boca so we could learn socio-political stance of the center.

I have nothing but fond memories of the La Boca.

Voluntario Global, a non-profit community-based organization focusing on community development and educational support for children and adults, is seeking volunteers for each of their two sites: Soldati and La Boca in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Our projects seek people who want to explore the other side of Buenos Aires, for those who want to understand more about social exclusion in Latin America. What would it be like to get to know one of these neighborhoods from the inside? Our presence helps to minimize alienation. You can choose to come for only one day or be a volunteer for a longer time. If you want to be a long-term volunteer, we have many different options and schedules available. Volunteer oportunities are offered in exchange for low-cost contributions.

The community center has a bakery, t-shirt printing workshop, sewing studio and kitchens that volunteers can work in.

For more information, please visit our website, www.voluntarioglobal.com.ar

We are a Civil Organisation who creates voluntary work projects. Our main objective is to promote a lasting change in the lives of these segregated families. We aim to:

improve the quality of life and promote means to obtain resources

offer solutions or alternatives to immediate daily problems, through education, health aid and work.

Raise awareness, understanding and acceptance towards this community’s traditions and values, by promoting a cross-cultural interchange.

Create bonds of solidarity, friendship and acceptance among the three parties (State, company and civil organisation) whilst respecting their common interests

We are a Civil Organisation who creates voluntary work projects. Our main objective is to promote a lasting change in the lives of these segregated families.

Our main beliefs are:

When it comes to choosing a task, it is essential to find out what best suits the volunteer’s skills and personal motives. Therefore, we believe, anyone considering taking part in our volunteer project should know the places in need of help before committing to it.

Voluntario Global creates bonds through cross-cultural interchange. Cultural immersion experience. We make a long-lasting impact on the participants and the recipients´ lives. The activities lead to a better understanding and the acknowledgement of the value of the different cultures involved.

 

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.VOLUNTARIOGLOBAL.COM.AR