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Volunteer in Latin America

Volunteer in Latin America

Articles on Volunteer Work and Vacations in Latin America
Volunteer in Latin America Independently  
Volunteering and Educational Travel in Belize by Joshua Berman
Volunteer Work in Brazil: How to Embark on a Meaningful South American Adventure by Volker Poelzl 
Volunteer in a Costa Rican Classroom Teaching English with the Alliance Abroad Group
Short-Term Volunteer Work in a Costa Rica with Cross-Cultural Solutions
Journalism in Bolivia: Working with the Locals
Volunteering in South American Eco-Lodges
Volunteer in Bolivia at a Wildlife Refuge  
With the Amigos de las Americas Program in Latin America, Volunteering Makes a Difference
Volunteer Opportunities in Guatemala by Volker Poelzl 
Volunteer in Xela, Guatemala through the EntreMundos organization
Volunteer with the Casa Guatemala
Train Nature Guides in Central America with WorldTeach and RARE, Change Lives
Volunteer Work in Guatemala
Eco-Volunteer in Argentina with GAIA
Cornerstone in Belize: Volunteer with a Community-Based Organization
Volunteer and Learn a Language in Guatemala
Volunteer Work in Lima, Peru with Cross-Cultural Solutions
Volunteering in Peru
A Moment in a Classroom as a Volunteer with Worldteach in Ecuador
Volunteer in Chile with WorldTeach: The Rewards Outweigh the Costs
Volunteer in Nicaragua with the Habitat for Humanity
Volunteer in Nicaragua at the Miraflor Nature Preserve
Building Homes in Paraguay as a Volunteer with the Habitat for Humanity Program

Contact the volunteer program directors to confirm costs, dates, and other details.

See our listings of volunteer programs in Latin America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru. If you do not see the volunteer program you want, look under Worldwide for programs located in several different regions.

Disclaimer


Cross-Cultural Solutions: Volunteer Abroad for the Experience of a Lifetime!
Experience another culture like never before while making a real difference in people’s lives. You’ll gain perspectives and insights into the local culture and yourself. It’s an exciting and personally inspiring experience, and you’ll develop memories that will be with you forever. Programs operate in Guatemala (Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango), Costa Rica (Cartago, Puriscal, and San Carlos), Peru (Ayacucho and Lima) and Brazil (Salvador).

Dates Offered: Choose from start dates year-round and lengths-of-stay from 1-12 weeks.
Costs: The U.S. tax-deductible program fee for a two-week program is $2,588 (£1,408) with each additional week of stay only $297 (£162). The program fee for the one-week Insight Abroad program offered in Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru, and Russia is $1,695 (£922). Program fee includes: personalized Volunteer Placement, language instruction, cultural education, food, lodging, transportation to and from all Cross-Cultural Solutions’ placements and programs, pre-departure guidance from headquarters staff, 24-hour access to in-country staff, travel medical and emergency evacuation insurance, and more.
Contact: Cross-Cultural Solutions, 2 Clinton Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801;Tel: 800.380.4777 or 914.632.0022; in the UK call 0845 458 2781/2782; other countries call +44 (0) 1273 666392; Fax: 914.632.8494.
Email: info@crossculturalsolutions.org
Website: www.crossculturalsolutions.org

Featured

Volunteer Teaching and Travel Across Latin America
This GVI combination program gives you the opportunity to volunteer, work, live in and explore four different Latin American countries over the span of a six month journey through Central and South America. From the highlands of Guatemala to the jungles of Honduras, see the snow-capped peaks of the Andes of Ecuador and the deserts of Peru. In all 4 countries you will teach on GVI-run teaching projects dedicated to teaching literacy and numeracy to underprivileged indigenous communities.

Dates: 6 month, departures throughout the year
Costs: US$9260 for 6 months
Contact in USA: Call toll free 888-653-6028
Contact in UK: 01727 250250
Website: www.gviusa.com

Featured

Volunteer on Wildlife Projects in Belize
Join this GVI wildlife project and travel to Belize to work on a variety of research projects in a number of locations and National Parks around the country. You will volunteer helping with the practical conservation of national parks and archaeological sites. On a daily basis you will be involved in research, education and helping with general tasks such as conducting manatee surveys, assessing jaguar populations and running environmental field courses.

Dates: 8 to 12 weeks, departures throughout the year
Costs: From US$2830 for 8 weeks
Contact in USA: Call toll free 888-653-6028
Contact in UK: 01727 250250
Website: www.gviusa.com

Featured

Volunteer Programs in Latin America
A Cactus Volunteer Programme is the unique opportunity to combine a language course with volunteer work in Latin America. After taking a 4 week Spanish or Portuguese (Brazil) course at one of our approved schools, you can take a minimum 4 week volunteer placement with one of the many local organisations we work with. Work can be in any of the following areas: social, education, healthcare or nature. This is a wonderful chance to experience local life first-hand and give a little something to the community. Volunteering can be for anyone, from those taking a year out after university to those simply wanting a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life back home. One thing for sure is that you will come back with a real sense of personal achievement, to say nothing of a newfound confidence in the language.

Dates: All year round; first Monday of every month
Contact: volunteer@cactuslanguage.com
Website: www.volunteers-abroad.com

Featured

Volunteer in Latin America with Proworld

How will you touch the world? Volunteer in Latin America with ProWorld
REAL projects….REAL experience! Work side-by-side with NGOs to find innovative ways to confront development challenges in Latin America – from education efforts to eradicate illiteracy and promote natural resource conservation to health campaigns to combat waterborne diseases, malnutrition, diabetes, malaria and HIV/AIDS. More information at www.myproworld.org/internships.htm.

Dates: Year round start dates; 2 – 26 week placements
Cost: Program fees include project work, housing, all meals, onsite transportation, language training, cultural/adventure activities, travel/health insurance, and 24-hour onsite staff support. Program fees can be found online at www.myproworld.org/costs/prices.htm. Scholarships and fundraising support available.
Contact: ProWorld Headquarters, ProWorld Service Corps, 1215 Taylor Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA
Tel: 877.42WORLD (US & Canada), 870.750.7202 (UK & Europe)
Email: info@myproworld.org
Website: www.myproworld.org

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Volunteer in Latin America
United Planet’s volunteer programs in Latin America provides individuals and groups an unique opportunity to interact with locals through volunteer work, cultural immersion, home stays, and more. Volunteers of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds are invited to support community development through placements at local organizations, clinics, shelters, schools and environmental projects. They can also participate in a Spanish Language Immersion course for the first weeks of their program.

Contact: United Planet, 11 Arlington St, Boston MA 02116, USA. Tel. 617-267-7763.
Email: quest@unitedplanet.org
Website: www.unitedplanet.org

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WorldTeach
Volunteer in Latin America
WorldTeach offers opportunities for volunteers to make a meaningful contribution to education by living and teaching in developing countries. WorldTeach provides: full-time in country coordinator; in country orientation including language and ESL training; live with host families/apartments. Requires: native English speakers; BA for yearlong programs. Fee covers program costs, housing, insurance and airfare.

Dates: Year-long programs depend on academic year; summer only programs.
Contact: Center for International Development, Harvard University, 79 John F. Kennedy St., Box 122, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA; (617) 495-5527,
Email: info@worldteach.org
Website: www.worldteach.org

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GIC Argentina: Volunteering
Volunteer in Latin America with GIC Argentina. Choose from a variety of challenging and rewarding positions, including volunteering in a health clinic, working with street children or in an orphanage, helping at a community clinic for the poor, working with disabled children, or teaching English, among many other volunteer positions.

Dates: Every month of the year
Cost: Check website for details
Contact: Av. de Mayo 1370, #30, 3rd floor, Buenos Aires, C1085ABQ, Argentina
Tel Argentina: +54-11-5353-9497. Tel USA: +1-202-552-1081
Email: info@gicarg.org
Website: www.gicarg.org

Featured

Get AMPED Abroad
Volunteer and live in Latin America: Argentina, Ecuador, or Guatemala.

Email: info@ampedabroad.com
Website: www.ampedabroad.com

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South American Explorers Club
Volunteer in Latin America and Much More
A non-profit organization that functions as mainly as an information network for South America, with clubhouses in Cusco, Lima, Buenos Aires and Quito. Since 1977, researchers, explorers, students and travelers from all over the world have used SAE clubhouses and online info as a base to network and plan activities. One thing we do is keep an extensive database of organizations looking for volunteers, plus reports from previous volunteers. Please also see details of our own volunteer programs!

Cost: Membership costs $60 for one year. Discounts for students, volunteers, families, or if more than one person joins at a time.
Email: cuscoclub@saexplorers.org
Website: www.saexplorers.org

Favorite Free Listing

Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS)
Volunteer in Latin America
Are you ready to change your world this summer? Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) offers 5-8 week summer volunteer programs in which young people (ages 16 to 25) immerse themselves in a Latin American community, live with a host family, and collaborate on sustainable development projects. Participants will experience life-changing growth as they strengthen their Spanish skills, experience a new culture on a personal level, and work together with community members to accomplish shared goals.

Contact: Amigos de las Américas, 5618 Star Lane, Houston, Texas 77057.
Tel: (713) 782-5290, (800) 231-7796. Fax: (713) 782-9267.
Email: info@amigoslink.org
Website: www.amigoslink.org

Featured

Bimini Biological Field Station
Volunteers at shark research station in the Bahamas perform tasks including research, maintenance and cooking, for at least 1 month.

Contact: www6.miami.edu/sharklab

Cosmic Volunteers in Latin America
Programs in Latin America are Ecuador and Peru. Volunteer programs include teaching English, orphanages, healthcare, journalism, organic farming, animal rescue, community kitchens, and programs on the Galapagos Islands. Spanish lessons are also available. This is a unique opportunity to learn about and contribute to communities in South America in a meaningful way.

Contact: Cosmic Volunteers, P.O. Box 11738, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101, U.S.A.; Tel: 1-610-279-2052; Fax: 1-419-831-4792; info@cosmicvolunteers.org; www.cosmicvolunteers.org

Experiential Learning International
Volunteer in Latin America

ELI partners with local organizations in Ecuador, Argentina, Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala  to match volunteers with local organizations in need of volunteers. All placements are made on an individual basis depending on the skills and goals of the volunteer, the needs of the organization, and the length of the program. Programs are available throughout the year for lengths of time varying from two weeks to six months.

Contact: Experiential Learning International, 2828 N. Speer Blvd. Suite 230, Denver, CO 80211; 303-321-8278; info@eliabroad.org, www.eliabroad.com.

Global Volunteer Network in Latin America
Volunteer in El Salvador.
Join a team of teachers promoting solidarity and exchange among El Salvador's people in a progressive English School in San Salvador.

Contact: info@volunteer.org.nz, www.volunteer.org.nz/elsalvador

Globe Aware in Latin America: Brazil—The Road Less Traveled Brazilian Village Experience. The volunteer program takes place in a little village with approximately 500 inhabitants, in the state of Bahia. The community faces a number of challenges: Poverty; alcoholism; unemployment; absence of basic infrastructure (sewage and treated water for instance); local school maintenance (materials, food for the kids and transportation); lack of medical and dental assistance; and lack of a space to display, market and sell local crafts.
Globe Aware in Latin America: Costa Rica—The Road Less Traveled Village Experience. Costa Rica is a cultural and natural paradise, but most travelers see only the large, touristy resorts. This Road Less Traveled program, however, offers a unique opportunity in the middle of a secluded natural rainforest to help an untouched community create a sustainable future. While helping the community to help themselves, volunteers will be treated to enormous cultural learning and spectacular contact with the lush rainforest. A decade ago, the government set aside a national forest reserve for the spectacular Carara Rainforest, which borders the village. The villagers love their nature paradise and appreciated the action. However, since then, the tiny village has struggled for sources of income, as their crops are being eaten by protected wildlife. As a first step toward creating sustainable eco-tourism, the community needs help clearing paths, marking trails, learning English, etc. No special skills are required.
Globe Aware in Latin America: Peru—Care for Cuzco: Heart of the Inca Empire. The orphanage caters primarily to deaf children, though some have other challenges. These children are hungry for human contact, love and care. Their smiles will melt your heart. Volunteers are needed to help them get ready in the morning before school, to take them on cultural outings, and other such activities. During their school time, and due to staggered “shifts” you have ample freetime.

Contact: info@globeaware.org, www.globeaware.org

Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti
Work team projects use self-funding voluntary input to help at this Haitian hospital run by the Grant Foundation.

Contact: P.O. Box 81046, Pittsburgh, PA 15217; 412-361-5200; info@hashaiti.org; www.hashaiti.org.

Mondo Challenge
Chile - Volunteer Teaching

We work mainly in three rural schools, welcoming pupils aged from 4 to 14 in the villages of Monte Grande, Paihuano and Pisco Elqui. Volunteers help raise the level of English in the comuna, as well as developing sports offered to kids. We are also looking for volunteers to be involved in vocational training to adults, including communication skills and basic computing classes.

Contact: info@mondochallenge.org, www.mondochallenge.org

Peace Villages Foundation: Exciting Grass-Roots Volunteer Opportunity with Local NGO in Venezuela. Come and do volunteer work side by side with locals and other enthusiastic volunteers, have fun and learn the Spanish language: Youth, Care & Community, Medicine & Healthcare experience and observation. Live and volunteer in a typical Pemon Indian community, Conservation & Environment, Teaching & Tutoring, and Ecological Building.

Contact: mail@peacevillages.org, www.peacevillages.org

Projects Abroad
Volunteer Projects in Health Care, Animal Care, Conservation Work, Journalism, Sports Teaching, and Teaching in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru

Contact: info@projects-abroad.org, www.projects-abroad.org

Puentes de Amistad
Volunteer Service Work in Latin America

Low cost travel experience short-term volunteer service work in Tijuana, Mexico, or in a village in El Salvador. Help in construction work, at an orphanage or medical clinic, with short-term classes in English or art, or assist a doctor with patient intake. The program provides cultural immersion and learning in Latin America.

Contact: info@puentesdeamistad.org, www.puentesdeamistad.org

Service Civil International Workcamps SCI US is an exchange organization that sends volunteers on 2-3 week international work projects and long term 3-12 month opportunities in over 50 countries, including many in Latin America. The $250 application fee covers lodging, meals, and minimal health insurance. SCI promotes voluntary service to impact social, environmental and humanitarian issues.

Contact: Service Civil International (SCI), 5505 Walnut Level Rd, Crozet, VA, 22932; Tel. 1-206-350-6585. Email: sciivs.placement@gmail.com. Visit www.sci-ivs.org for an application.

Volunteer Latin America
Provides international volunteers with a comprehensive and affordable solution to finding volunteer work opportunities in Central and South America. You tell us where and what you would like to do and we will provide you with everything you need to get involved via your own personalised information pack. Our extensive knowledge of the region ensures you are unlikely to find some of the projects we offer elsewhere. Volunteer Latin America is not only a great source of affordable voluntary work but a means to finding some of the best schools to learn Spanish.

Contact: info@volunteerlatinamerica.com; www.volunteerlatinamerica.com

VolunteerSouthAmerica.Net
Free and Low-Cost Volunteering in Latin America
Website lists free and low-cost volunteer opportunities in Latin America. The site is designed for backpackers / independent travellers looking for a real volunteer experience abroad, without paying any middle-man or agency fees.

Visit: www.volunteersouthamerica.net.

Volunteer in Latin America for the Experience of a Lifetime with Cross-Cultural Solutions!
Volunteer in Latin America with GVI
Volunteer in Latin America with Projects Abroad
Volunteer in Latin America with Projects Abroad
Volunteer in Asia, Africa, Latin America with ELI
Volunteer in the Dominican Republic with Amigos de las Americas
Get AMPED Abroad and Volunteer
Volunteer in Latin America with the South American Explorers Club