Summer Volunteer Work

Previous reports:

Talking to a lot of friends it does not seem that the infrastructure is really here for volunteer work. I know a lot of people who have tried and organizations are very skeptical of them....Why would they want to work for free? Also, if you do not have a really good handle on Spanish volunteering can be difficult. I normally do not encourage people to set up volunteer options (often ones that you have to pay for) but I am feeling more and more strongly about this being the best option in Argentina. I certainly would not be expecting to find an organization that is going to give you free food and board for your work, but I am sure you can find some where you work for them and pay all of your own costs.

There is a glut of travellers basically wanting to be paid in one way or another for their time in South America, so locals are a bit jaded about the value of "vacationeering".

I am in Brazil, not Argentina, but the situation is similar in that it can be hard to find volunteer positions, unless you have a specialized and needed skill and speak the local language. Otherwise you are just another pair of hands in a land where labor is cheap, and in some ways worse since if you are not fluent in the language you must be assisted more than other volunteers. Many organizations need money more than more people. If possible, it is a good idea to contact NGOs, etc. before leaving home. Upon arrival, go to churches, hospitals, orphanages, etc. But know in advance what you are willing to do and not do. In the U.S. I volunteered at an animal shelter. Only shelters I have found here (and there are not many) would not want me as a volunteer unless I were a vet. They always need donations.

Even if you were a practicing professional with experience in the developing world it would be tough, especially without fluent Spanish/Portuguese. What would you expect to do? What skills would you be adding to whatever organization you volunteer for? For how long and how often in one location (in between your travels)? If you were going to be in one place for at least several months and spoke fluent Portuguese/Spanish you might be of some use to someone, but a visitor coming through and needing to be shown the ropes will be a burden, not a benefit, to most organizations for a while. If you are willing to give company to young AIDS patients, someone might take you on, but not likely without the local language.

Voluntourism

Jorge Daniel Barchi.
Buenos Aires.

Thanks very much for your reply. You've really thrown some light on why i'm finding it hard to find anything. I do speak fluent Spanish and i'm a qualified teacher so i don't know whether this would make any difference to my options. Teaching English wouldn't be my first choice but i also hear a lot about conservation projects or working with street children. Do you think the same obstacles would apply?

www.volunteersouthamerica.net great website with some excellent links to websites and organisations that are actually on the ground rather than payin some middle office to organise some rubbish fornight paper pushing and costing hundreds of pounds

Hey...
I want to do some volunteering in Argentina also.
You make it seem as if its pointless to volunteer there... y is that?

To the other person... have u found anything?

also have a look at independent volunteer. Volunteering will be what you make it, check out the organisation, the surrounds, the area etcetera.

your language will be a huge bonus and often the role of training the trainers is very valuable - sharing knowledge and skills both ways.

Referring to # 3: Here is 'Volunteer South America' as a direct link: www.volunteersouthamerica.net</a>

Re # 5: Thank you, onemorecoffee, for the link independentvolunteer.org. It was new to me.
Your link should be without a space: www.independentvolunteer.org</a>

From the member akirakhan in the thread 'Volunteering in Bolivia', 31-Dec-2007, I have learned about IdeaList.org: www.idealist.org</a>

Good luck