Volunteer Argentina

Volunteer Projects Argentina

ENVIRONMENT – Conservation work at Nature ParkThis animal refuge is situated in the Chubut province around 75 Km north of the city of Puerto Madryn.

Puerto Madryn is famous worldwide for its marine life and whale watching. This Reservation comprises around 6700 hectares including 12 Km. of the coast of San Matías gulf. This area has been destined to the conservation of local biodiversity due to its Biological Value: significant populations that depend on the areas, Endemic, rare and threatened species (hippocampus), economically important species (artesanal fishing), Charismatic Species: Sea-horse, coastal migratory birds and marine mammals. Some activities volunteers are needed for are monitoring of animals, such as guanacos and pumas, seawolfs, local biodiversity and maintenance of infrastructure.

SOCIAL WORK – Work on sustainable tourism at indigenous communities in northeastern Argentina.

In Misiones province, Argentina, many Mbyá Guarani Communities remain nowadays trying to keep their ancestors traditions while dealing with the modern life and the many new enterprises that are investing around their grounds to build tourism hotels and resorts. In one of this communities, a project has been started to help their inhabitants to maintain control of and self administrate their natural, touristic and cultural resources. This project’s goal is to increase the employment opportunities of young inhabitants of neighborhoods in extreme poverty. It also encourages development of the indigenous communities near the Iguazú Falls through the teaching of cultural activities, and socially responsible and sustainable tourism. Through this project, an informal school for the indigenous has recently been built in the community to teach and share different activities with the community’s inhabitants. This school will allow adults and children to appreciate their culture and learn how to earn an income from the many tourists visiting the area in a responsible way. Another community 30 km from Puerto Iguazú is also following this example. By helping them to prepare themselves for receiving tourists in a socially responsible and sustainable manner, community members will be able to self-sustain by showing visitors an insight into their culture and the natural habitat around them.

Project work: supporting the community in sustainable tourism projects to allow an indigenous community to show their cultural heritage and receive an income.

SOCIAL WORK – Construction work at a school of non-formal education.

An NGO dedicated to non formal education promoting the arts and culture of the aboriginal people of Amaicha, a city near Tucumán city, Argentina has been working at this community for ten years helping them to reenergize their native identities. This foundation has developed projects dedicated to sustainable tourism and has also developed a net for commercialization of ethnic furniture and handcrafts of this and nearby communities. The goal of the non-formal education school is to try to get kids to participate in its activities so they can help their families who live in extreme poverty through education. One of the projects in mind for the foundation is the construction of a cafeteria for the school. This will bring the kids together in a common area to share their learning experience together. The objective of this project is to improve the school for the children while helping the families, improve the quality of life and promote cultural exchange.

Project work: help on the building of a school kitchen.

SOCIAL WORK – Help a community centre for families at social risk.

In Buenos Aires city, a small non-profit association is working in impoverished districts and shanty towns to improve their inhabitants´ quality of life. The objective of this work is to offer these families short term solutions to their immediate needs, through education, health aid and employment programs, and promoting intercultural exchange and integration into society. At the moment, a few community centers where these programs are undertaken are in need of volunteers willing to help either through building repair and painting, participating in workshops and organizing activities with local children and youth.

Project work: share activities with local kids, participating in different workshops, repair work in community centre

SOCIAL WORK – Help with productive projects at indigenous communities.

Eastern Salta, Argentina and Formosa are part of the region of the Great Chaco, a sparsely populated, hot and semi-arid lowland region that comprises part of Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina and Brazil. Many Wichi and Pilagá communities, the original inhabitants of this region, live today in this area, some of them 2 to 3 hours far from the nearest town. Most of these communities live now in in distress because of their isolation and due to the fact that their natural source for food and shelter, the “monte” (dry forest) is being devastated by the implementation of new hundreds of acres of soy plantations. Also, there are no local policies to integrate them to the “modern” society. Though not their original activity, many communities survive today on small scale gardens and the sales of artesanías (handcrafts). The set up of productive projects to help them self sustain and have another source of income is of great importance in these communities.

Project work: support local NGOs with the implementation of productive projects such as gardening, animal breeding, etc. in communities in the Great Chaco.

SOCIAL WORK – Building of Sustainable Gardens and infrastructure work in Rural schools in Northwestern Argentina.

Rural schools in Jujuy, Salta and Tucumán are often in a situation of isolation or semi isolation. Children assisting these schools are usually at social risk and their families tend to have very little resources. Most of them are of indigenous descent and so it´s even harder for them to integrate to modern society. The importance of these schools as such is not only to educate but also to help integrate those children into society and develop a sense of belonging.

Project work: work in rural schools with the implementation of farms and sustainable gardens.

SOCIAL WORK – Work on sustainable tourism at indigenous communities in northern Patagonia.

Many conflicts have risen throughout the years between Mapuche communities in northern Patagonia and private investors buying many of the area´s lands and evicting many families from these territories. Many communities are still resisting to leave these areas, however many others have successfully and legally received a big piece of land they can work and live in. Some of these communities are starting to consider sustainable tourism projects to profit from the income tourists can provide them.

Project work: work in the implementation of sustainable tourism projects.

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