Volunteer Global

Volunteering in South America appears to be the most popular option for travelers embarking on service trips, with Peru and Ecuador leading the area in the most programs in operation.

Let’s take a look at just a few of these groups working throughout South America.

Life Argentina
www.lifeargentina.org

“We are a nonprofit, civil society organization that works with youth living in socially marginalized and extremely impoverished areas of Argentina. We carry out a number of programs and activities with the goal of providing for the healthy development, happiness, and a hopeful future for the children we work closely with.”

Volunteers help children who come from families living below the poverty line – this accounts for 60% of youth in the country. Participants work with children either as teachers or on special projects.

The timeline is flexible, and volunteers pay for their own travel and living expenses. The only payment to the project is $25/week. Life Argentina can recommend places to stay throughout the community at low cost.

Iracambi Atlantic Rainforest Research Center – Brazil
www.iracambi.com

“We're a non profit organization, Amigos de Iracambi, supporting a Research Center which is based on a sustainable forest farm where we can put our ideas to work. We're in the buffer zone of the Serra do Brigadeiro State Park in the mountains of the state of Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil. It's an area of extraordinary beauty, abundant water and exceptional biodiversity.”

Volunteers assist with administrative projects such as fundraising and general facilities maintenance, as well as environmental conservation work, including reforestation, research, and mapping. While they work, participants stay in the research center, which is available for time slots of one month or longer.

Cartagenitos – Colombia
www.volunteercolombia.org

“There are many ways in which you can help the children of Cartagena although the biggest and most rewarding contribution you can make is you time. Organising an activity that is both fun and beneficial will leave a footprint on the lives of these deserving kids and give you the feeling of having a achieved something as well. These activities can be anything you like, just think about the skills you have and use your imagination, we recommened that you give yourself at least six weeks to get the most out of the experience though.”

Volunteers work with children who live in orphanages, in centers for children of impoverished families, and with local non-govermnetal organizations. Participants should have some Spanish language ability, and usually stay in community housing recommended by the host group.

Andean Bear Conservation Project – Ecuador
www.andeanbear.org

“The Andean Bear Conservation Project is part of the Fundacion Espiritu del Bosque (meaning ‘Spirit of the Forest’), and is based in Ecuador. Our goal is to save the Andean Bear from extinction through in-field scientific studies and through the rehabilitation and release of captive bears.

“We monitor both wild and rehabilitated bears, by direct observation and through the use of radio tracking equipment. Our aim is to improve human understanding of these gentle creatures by gathering data on their diet, behaviors and social interaction.”

Volunteers monitor bears for two or more weeks while staying in a house with other participants. For those who only have one week to give, shorter term opportunities are available – those who would like to help with the project must be 18 years old or older. Extensions may be made for longer than one month for those who would like to take a gap break, or even gain research credit over a summer. Please note that credit varies by school, and must be arranged by the volunteer and the university.

Peru 109
www.peru109.org

"Peru 109 is a family run organization based in Vermont that leads volunteer programs exclusively in the country of Peru. Co-directors Anne (USA) and Juan Carlos (Peru) design the Peru 109 trips with the goal of not only facilitating positive community change, but also encouraging Peruvians to be active in initiating and maintaining programs that enhance their own community.

"With these goals in mind, all Peru 109 trips focus on interactive community projects that encourage cultural exchange between the Peruvian community and the volunteers. To facilitate this exchange, all volunteers with Peru 109 are housed with local host families, with whom they share 3 meals a day during their program. This provides participants with the opportunity to not just visit Peru, but be a part of it!"

Volunteers work on varied projects including coaching sports teams, painting, assisting with construction, women’s group help, and more. Programs are available for families, groups, students, and individuals. Depending on the location, time of year, and length of the project, costs vary from $395 to $1,795.

And that's it for today's segment on regional volunteering! Join me tomorrow while I discuss Oceania -- and don't forget to follow me on Twitter!