Amazing Volunteering in Colombia: Program Costs from USD 270!

  Colombia

Bogota

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: 1st and 1th of each month

Description: International Volunteer HQ's partner organization in Colombia requires volunteers Now! IVHQ has a wide range of volunteering opportunities available in teaching, orphanage work, child care, elderly care, construction and renovation and feed the homeless programs throughout the capital of Colombia.

* Teaching

In Colombia there are many schools that do not have enough staff, money or equipment and in many cases the teachers are under-qualified. This problem is not just primarily with the teaching of English. The children here might never have a chance to learn a wide range of other subjects, therefore volunteers will assist with the teaching of as many subjects as possible. In Colombian schools the teaching of mathematics, sciences, humanities, music, sports, dance and art are just as important. The volunteers are not only here to assist and teach these subjects but to encourage the children to find their dreams. The children need to have a goal and even though they might come from the poorest backgrounds we want to make the children believe they can be the doctors, teachers, sport stars, artists and mathematicians of the future. This work is highly rewarding. As soon as you walk into that classroom you will realize just how much this means to the children. We want our volunteers to share their knowledge and experience and show them that with a bit of hard work anything is possible.

NB - Volunteers DO NOT need to be a qualified or experienced teacher.

* Orphanage Work

All South American countries are suffering from huge numbers of orphaned children whose lives have been disrupted from war, murder, neglect, abuse, poverty and disease resulting in a larger number of orphanages in countries such as Colombia. Contributing to this disproportionate number of orphanages is the fact that in some cases the parents are simply unable to provide for the children or they have been abandoned. Therefore, there is a huge need for volunteers within our orphanages. Not much money and support go into these houses from the government so there are very few people who work there all day and everyday. The majority of the children are not able to go to school so it's vital the volunteers can teach and educate them as much as possible. They could teach anything from English, Math, Sciences, Arts, Music and Physical Education. Some of the children do go to school and they will need help with their homework. Along with teaching, volunteers who work in an orphanage will help with general work and daily chores and will generally work from 8:00 am till 12.00pm or 1.00pm till 4.00pm. Your participation in an orphanage project is not only appreciated by the children but also by the local support who work there. This work ranges from cooking and cleaning, assisting with feeding programs, caring for the children and the babies.

* Child Care

The centers for children in Colombia are not organized the way most people are used to seeing in the USA, UK or any other Western countries. Colombia has a huge family-oriented culture and orphans tend to be taken in by extended families or are even sometimes taken in by neighbors. Children from all over Colombia find themselves here in Bogota due to displacement from the more rural areas. Wars and fighting in the 1980s and early 1990s have forced thousands of families to flee their homes and head to the large cities. Without anywhere to live they have to share with whoever they can. These added men, women and children put a huge strain on the families who take them in and so the children are sent to 'centers' for certain hours of the day to receive education, interaction and food. Volunteers must understand that the children usually do not live at the Centre and are only there for a few hours in the day. We need as many volunteers as possible to ease the workload for the local workers who care for these children. These children are in desperate need for some love and attention and volunteers are the perfect people to get the job done.

* Caring for the Elderly

In the large majority of Western countries, our elderly have homes, centers and care workers readily available for them. However, in Colombia there is very little or no financial help from the government to help their own elderly people. Once again due to war, neglect, poverty and disease, families may find themselves living in homes with up 8, 9, 10 other people. They cannot afford to feed every mouth and with about 70% of elderly folks suffering with one or more form of long term illness, the families simply cannot afford the medication either. This unfortunately leads to more and more elderly people being abandoned and left to fend for themselves on the streets of Bogota and when suffering from certain illnesses such as dementia and pneumonia, this is extremely difficult. This is where volunteers can assist. Our volunteers support centers for the elderly who literally rescue women from off the streets and put them into care. Here the ladies can receive love, food, shelter, and medication. With the help of our volunteers the local staff can increase the number of women they can look after. The volunteers can help with everything from medication to feeding.

* Feeding the Homeless

This project is one of the most eye opening that IVHQ has to offer. Similar to many third world countries Colombia has its fair share people living on the streets. What makes this project so incredible is it gives the volunteer a chance to help everyone from young to old to women to the disabled. Homelessness can effect anyone whether the cause being substance abuse, mental health problems, unemployment, domestic abuse, natural disasters or forced eviction. This project gives the volunteers the opportunity to help, reach out and interact with all types of people. In one day you could help feed around 200 men, women and children. It is important to note that because of the small amount of time this project takes (in regards to the total week), volunteers will also have to involve themselves on another placement to ensure they are busy throughout the week.

* Construction and Renovation

This project is a chance for volunteers to break into a sweat and get their hands a little dirty! Some families, schools and even some hospitals in Bogota cannot afford professional people, tools and supplies to build or renovate. With homes, classrooms and hospital wards bursting at the seams due to the number of children, and patients increasing they drastically need assistance. Volunteers do not need any building or renovation experience to help here but you will need to have a reasonable level of energy and fitness and of course dedication and determination. There is a foreman on sight who is always there to point you in the right direction (he will always find something for you to do). You may find yourself knocking down walls, installing kitchens, fixing chairs, painting walls or renovating roofs. IVHQ construction projects concentrate mainly on schools in poor areas at the moment where there are not enough classrooms, chairs or desks to cater for all the children. This is your chance to leave an amazing, long lasting and permanent mark of your own.

Highlights:
* Extremely affordable program fees
* Quality Programs
* Flexible Placements
* 24/7 Support
* Loyalty Program
* IVHQ Information Booklet
* Discount Spanish lessons

Qualifications: Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program and have at least a high school education.

We recommend that all volunteers regardless of their Spanish language ability (unless they are extremely fluent), take advantage of the very affordable Spanish lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers by our program staff in Colombia. Past volunteer feedback has shown us that volunteers feel they can contribute far more with some Spanish ability. Spanish is NOT a prerequisite for our Colombia program, however on certain placements the level of work a volunteer can do will be restricted with limited Spanish. Our local staff in Colombia offer hugely discounted Spanish lessons to our volunteers and a wide variety of options.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Program Fees from USD 270 (1 week) to USD 2,380

* Registration Fee (Refundable if you choose not to go)
- 24/7 support from IVHQ staff
- program marketing costs
- information pack
- administration costs
- travel costs to inspect programs and communication costs with volunteers

* Program Fee
- Airport pick up
- orientation
- program supervision
- accommodation and meals during volunteer placement period
- In-country 24/7 volunteer support and In-country administration costs

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 to 75

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Colombia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 2-6

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

International Volunteer HQ's Mission Statement: International Volunteer HQ aims to provide volunteers with quality, flexible, safe and highly affordable volunteering placements in developing countries. In addition to providing aid and assistance to these countries, International Volunteer HQ endeavors to increase education and heighten awareness through not only the skills and expertise taken by volunteers to their host communities and institutions, but also through the experiences and lessons volunteers will in turn take back to their own countries and cultures.

Year Founded: 2007