Santiago

The modern capital of Santiago has some of the most spectacular views of any city in the world. A virtual 360° view of the rugged, snowcapped Andes Mountains is a striking contrast to the sleek skyline of the business district. In Santiago one can find an interesting combination of traditional culture and westernization. The city’s surroundings offer an easy access to nature that must be sustained through conservation as a valuable part of the city.

Santiago’s neighborhoods are usually areas not accessed and known by visitors from abroad. Although Santiago is a rather westernized capital city for South America, in some of these areas the rich-poor divide is particularly striking.

A. Care for Blind & Disabled Children

A school located in the Nuñoa neighborhood, a residential place close to the Providencia area in Santiago, has the purpose of educating blind children who have had a hard time accessing a proper education and opportunity for personal development. Most of the children sleep in the boarding school from Monday to Friday.  The school not only receives children from Santiago but children from other regions of the country as well, as in many other regions they do not have specialist educational services for the blind and visually impaired. The mission of the school is to deliver educational experiences to disabled children which will enable them to integrate to society and be eligible for employment.

Volunteer work:

• Supporting the teachers and staff whilst teaching the kids.
• Organizing games and activities after class time
• The working hours will be discussed with the director of the school before the placement starts due to the needs of the school at that moment. Most common working times are between: 14.00h – 21.00h, as the classes take place in the morning and this is when most help is required.

Period: preferably a minimum stay of 3 months.

B. Mentoring & Teaching English to underprivileged children

A program run by a local Foundation is based on the necessity to promote social ties between kids from neighborhoods at social risk and young students. Their aim is to have the kids develop skills that will allow them to integrate effectively in the processes of development of their own community. Through young student volunteers they also wish for them to establish ties of trust and friendship just by sharing with them experiences, knowledge and customs.

Volunteers will be able to give their support in group tutorships participating in different activities with a group of school kids such as English teaching. Volunteers will also encourage, together with the kids, the development of a project that is oriented towards the community such as making a garden, repair kids playing grounds, etc. These projects will be conducted in one of the impoverished areas around surrounding Santiago.

Volunteer work:

• Work in special tutor groups organized at schools.
• Teach basic English to primary school kids.
• Share with them cultural and experiential learning.
• Organize and develop projects that kids can work on to help and interact with their own community and families.

For both projects:

Requirements:

• Language Abilities: English speaker (intermediate to advanced) – Spanish speaker (intermediate)
• Age: Over 18 years old.
• Mentality: Open minded. Autonomous. Ability to work with children.
• Safety: Preferable experience living in a big city.
• Time of year: All year round. (Generally classes go from March to December – Teaching at summer school and/or summer courses may be possible checking well in advance).

Included:

• Project support: There will be a VH representative assigned to each volunteer who will be in touch via phone and e-mail during the duration of the volunteer period.
• Accommodation: Homestyas or shared apartment in Santiago.
• Free time: Opportunity to get to know Santiago city and its surroundings.

This post is also available in: Spanish