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PortugueseVolunteering in Argentina
Volunteering in Buenos Aires offers people the possibility to give something back to a wonderful and diverse community.
Volunteering can also create opportunities to develop skills and build on existing knowledge and experiences. Regardless of the motivation that inspires you to serve others, volunteering here in Buenos Aires can be a life experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.
Volunteer opportunities currently available
These opportunities include working with:
- Children with disabilities in kindergartens and community centers
- Dogs, cats, and horses in animal shelters
- Farmers and growers who will teach you about organic farming practices
- Children as a youth sports league coach
WHY VOLUNTEER IN BUENOS AIRES?
When you’re considering taking a long trip through multiple countries, it can be difficult to choose how to spend your time, and where to spend the most time. Volunteering is a great way to combine both language learning and extended travel, while also making you feel fulfilled. Volunteering in Argentina will make you see the country from a different perspective and challenge your preconceived notions.
Here are a few reasons to consider volunteering abroad, as opposed to just travelling:
Really understand Argentina’s cultural, social and economic standing
Seasoned travelers are well aware that spending just 2 or 3 nights in one city before moving to the next isn’t enough time to get a feel for the culture of the city or an understanding of its inhabitants. As exciting as it can be to hop from destination to destination, you’ll be hard pressed to get a real feel for the local culture or people.
But if you choose to stay in Buenos Aires for a month or more and choose to donate some of your time volunteering, you’ll be sure to be living and breathing the local culture. Volunteering is a great way of seeing past a country’s obvious stereotypes, as well as the facades of tourism, and see a place for what it really is.
Integrate into the Local Community
Rather than feeling like a backpacker who’s straight off the bus, volunteering will really help you to get to know the local people as well as their cultures and customs. Once settled in, you’ll begin to recognize and socialize with the regulars at the local grocery store or colectivo.
You’ll find that locals are very warm and friendly, and willing to go out of their way to help you. You’ll also undoubtedly pick up some handy tips along the way that only the locals know, such as the best empanaderia or secret hole-in-the-wall parrilla that a tourist could never find.
Still Travel & Have a Good Time!
Many potential volunteers are put off by the seemingly long-term commitment volunteering requires, which makes worry about feeling grounded or stuck. But with most volunteer organisations, you will have at least the weekend off, and often time off during the week as well, which is perfect for a quick mini break to Iguazu or Bariloche. Many organisations will understand that you are a traveller and may offer a week off after a month’s work for example. This way you’ll get the best of both of worlds!
Put Your Spanish Skills Into Practice
Now that you’ve refined your Spanish skills a little, what better way to practise the lingo than to volunteer? Volunteering will push you to talk with native speakers who may not know your mother tongue. Sticking to tourist areas where many locals are bilingual makes it easy to give in to the temptation of using English. Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone and spending time with people who are more likely to only speak Spanish is vital to ensuring you are getting enough Spanish practise.
Volunteering is a great way to test the waters with your newfound Spanish skills in a friendly and kind environment.
Meet People From All Over the World
While you will certainly be in daily contact with local people, volunteering can allow you to make friends with people from all over the world as well, exposing you to many more cultures than you would have otherwise.
You’ll be able to create meaningful, long-lasting friendships that’ll be a little more permanent than those you make when passing through a hostel. You’ll all share a common bond through doing good for others, and this will certainly leave you with close friends you may wish to travel with after your volunteering ends!
Build Up Your Resume & CV
A great way of really making your CV stand out is to have some work experience abroad. It’s even better if that experience is in another language!
You will gain so many skills you can apply back at home, and employers will be impressed by your flexibility and ability to adapt when working abroad. Volunteering abroad will be prove that you are internationally minded and aren’t afraid of a challenge or stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Do Good While You Travel
If you are lucky enough to be in the privileged position to travel internationally, why not use this opportunity to improve the world a little and do some good for others? It can be incredibly rewarding to know that you are giving a little back and improving someone’s life.
Vamos Spanish Academy offers the opportunity to volunteer with children who have mental or physical disabilities. You will assist with daily care, exercises, and basic education, while also offering your friendship and support.
- Volunteer Locations: The city of Buenos Aires, as well as the outlying province.
- Spanish Level Needed: Basic Spanish skills are required.
- Average Age of Children: 2 to 15 years old.
- Your Role: Volunteers work to achieve the goals set out in the Care Management Plan, while also running educational games and group activities.
- Types of Childcare Programs: Kindergartens, community centers and dining halls.
- Requirements: Anyone may volunteer with this project (more details below).
- Start Date & Minimum Volunteering Time: We ask all volunteers for a minimum of 1 week of their time, though the ideal time is 4 weeks. There is a significant amount of need, and you may start at any time.
Requirements for applying:
- A full CV.
- Interest in sports. Be ready and willing to organize football games or other sporting activities.
- Interest in organizing individual and group educational activities, such as drawing.
- Ideally, a minimum commitment of 4 weeks.
- Photocopy of your passport.
- Volunteers should indicate if they have a background in psychology or pedagogy, but this isn’t necessary, as long as you have a love of sports and working with children.
This volunteer program is run by psychologists and educators working with disabled children of all ages.
Once a week on Saturday afternoons, you will be responsible for organizing sporting games and activities, football matches, and cultural activities such as drawing and playing games. These activities usually involve about 15 to 20 children, ranging in age from 7 to 15, who have various types of disabilities and live in a social center in Caballito. You will be joined by 3 to 4 educators, as well as fellow volunteers. Volunteers are required to help with organizing games to warm up, such as races and basic exercises.
After that they take part in the educational part, which consists of drawing, board games and other types of games. After playing, the children share a snack. Activities usually start at 3 pm and end at 6 pm.
You are always welcome to volunteer, even on short notice or shorter commitment, as long as you are reliable. We are always in particular need of volunteers with previous experience working with children, especially those with disabilities.
Do you love animals, and want to have the opportunity to help dogs, cats and horses in shelters in Buenos Aires? You will get to help with feeding, bathing, nursing and playing with the animals.
- Volunteer Location: The city of Buenos Aires and the surrounding province.
- Spanish Level Needed: Basic Spanish skills are required.
- Type of Animals: Horses, dogs and cats.
- Requirements: Anyone can volunteer with this project.
- Start Date & Minimum Volunteering time: Assistance is always needed, and you are welcome to start at any time. However, we ask our volunteers for a minimum of 3 weeks of service.
- Role: Feeding, bathing, training, cleaning, nursing sick animals, tending to injuries, overall maintenance, helping others play with animals, and assisting with the adoption process.
Requirements for applying:
- A full CV
- Minimum 3-week commitment
- Basic Spanish skills
- Photocopy of passport
Volunteer days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. In the morning, you will help with the daily routine of bathing, feeding, and nursing animals. In the afternoon, you will have time for more playing with and training of animals, but also be responsible for maintaining and cleaning the shelter.
This organización no gubernamental (non-governmental organization or ONG/NGO) works on other projects, such as the rescue of injured horses. It also works closely with a natural reserve (formerly a zoo) in Entre Ríos where they do behavioral work with animals, so volunteers that commit for more time may be able to take part in projects outside of the shelter.