 Disadvantaged Children Project
Trip code: ARG1
Since Argentina 's economic meltdown in the late 90s, poverty combined with a lack of appropriate education and family planning, has resulted in millions of indigent children in Argentina. The parents of these children cannot adequately provide for their basic needs such as food, clothing and a proper education. In association with a number of non-profits, and Argentinean organizations, Rustic places volunteers/travelers in numerous “buddy roles” in an attempt to care for these disadvantaged children who may turn to the streets or less desirable options which are counter-productive to their education and future. This is an opportunity for volunteers/travelers to teach various hands-on skills to these children as well as nurture their interests, goals and ultimately make their dreams for a brighter future come to fruition
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| Project/Volunteer's Life: |
Volunteers/travelers will assist children in various ways - teaching English and/or Spanish, organizing games, assisting the centers' staff members in feeding and caring for these often impoverished children or simply being a positive companion. Volunteers may also help in developing creative programs such as art, music, dance and even recreational activities such as various sports. Additional assistance may be required with the planning of day trips, education on issues of personal hygiene, cooking and meal preparation as well as helping with various administrative duties |
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| Skills and Qualifications |
This project requires Spanish fluency at a basic to intermediate level. If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the children you are helping. Interested individuals should have a passion and eagerness to help impoverished and disadvantaged children. |
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| Meals/Accommodations: |
Rustic Volunteer Travel arranges volunteer accommodations and strong field supervision for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In Argentina, most volunteers stay in our home base (hostel), a permanent home established for our international volunteers . Our homebase in Argentina is located in a pretty community, in a very safe and clean neighborhood. There are internet cafés, restaurants, local bus stations, a police station and supermarkets near our homebase. The homebase provides is a comfortable place to relax after a long day. There are several bedrooms (which may be shared with a same-gender volunteer) and community areas. There is a shared kitchen, television and shared bathrooms, which have running water and “western-style” toilets.
Depending on the influx of volunteers, accommodations could be with a host family. Host family accommodations are simple and clean homes in safe neighborhoods. Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities who live in affluent neighborhoods. Most of our host families have experience with hosting international volunteers. Host family stays are a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange.
Rustic offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. There are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host families and/or a homebase staff. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.
Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival. |
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| Project Locations: |
 Disadvantaged children projects are available in Córdoba. As South America’s second largest country, Argentina is renowned for its heavily Italian and Spanish influenced culture, rich history of literature, Flora (subtropical plants) and fauna. Argentina's urban areas have a European look, reflecting the influence of European settlers as well as the traditional Spanish-grid style around a main square (plaza) However most of its cities offer most of the amenities you would expect from any modern city. Volunteers can organize various excursions during and after the volunteer project to visit places of interest. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place that volunteers can utilize during weekends. Tourist attractions and amenities include: architecture, museums, city tours, tango performances, sports, restaurants, art, folk music, festivals, hotels, and much more.
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