So you have made the life-changing decision to volunteer abroad in Argentina! New experiences and challenges are surely awaiting you, but first you must prepare for your volunteer trip. I am not talking about choosing what to pack, but more importantly about how to prepare yourself mentally for such a new and exciting, but sometimes difficult phase in your life.

One of the best ways to prepare for any trip abroad, especially a volunteer trip is to read. Read as much as you can about Argentina beforehand so that you know a bit about the history of the country and its people. Guidebooks are a great starting point for learning general information about a country, but it is important to read books by both travelers to Argentina and Argentinian natives too. Books written by travelers will give you an idea of what to expect as a foreigner who is new to Argentina and books written by Argentinian natives will help you understand the people and culture.

Another great way to prepare for your volunteer trip to Argentina is to do some volunteering at home in your own community before your depart on your new adventure. This is a great way to gain some great skills, which will definitely help you in the future. Depending on what kind of volunteering you will be doing in Argentina, you can usually find a similar volunteer project in your own community. Not only will you be preparing for your volunteer trip, but you will also meet new people at home. Volunteering is a great way to make new friends and have new experiences whether at home or abroad!

Now you should be ready to pack your bags and set off for Argentina. My last piece of advice for you as a volunteer new to the country is to immerse yourself. Live with a host family and learn the language to really become a part of the culture and to make the most of your volunteer experience in Argentina!

In 2010, Ines Schulz spent her time in Argentina studying Spanish and volunteering with a girls’ home in Buenos Aires. Read on to find out more about her experience...

I started my volunteer work after taking four weeks of Spanish lessons with AMAUTA Spanish School. If you have a chance to work in a girls’ home in Buenos Aires, you can definitely look forward to the experience! I really believe volunteers can actively participate in bringing joy to the children - something they desperately need.

Throughout the project, I worked with teenage girls. Compared to the children’s hogar, it is a big advantage if you can speak Spanish because the girls are not only interested in “playing", but also in chatting.

I was really impressed by how the girls care for each other and how strong of a bond they share. This bond is not only exists among the girls themselves, but also between the social workers and the girls. It was not easy to enter that circle of confidence, but once you are there, it is fine. The girls are very interested in music, singing and dancing and also doing a lot of “girl stuff,” such as painting nails and brushing their hair. Since they are used to having volunteers around, they are very friendly and helpful when your Spanish is not good. 

During the first few days I felt a little bit lost, like a stranger, since they all have a strong bond with each other. Therefore, it is important to be proactive and participate in their lives. Sometimes I taught them English while on other days I played with them or watched them dance. They do appreciate when you try to dance too. It does not matter how terrible you are at dancing; they just appreciate the effort.

The girls are very interested in the culture and country from which you come, so bring pictures from home or cook something from your country. Volunteering with the girls’ home, you must be aware that they are teenagers - young adults. They also have difficult stories in their past and it is not easy to gain their confidence. Be open and willing to share yourself and the girls will reciprocate.

If you choose to volunteer, be proud of what you are doing. You are making a large impact on these girls’ lives!

For additional tips on volunteering, visit our Top Tips for Volunteers at
http://www.volunteerinsouthamericablog.org/top-tips-for-volunteers-part-ii-359.html#more-359

Volunteers traveling to Latin America will need to bring different things depending on the country and type of work he or she plans on doing. However, there are some general objects that are essential for any trip. Here we describe the top 10 things to bring on your trip to volunteer in Latin America!.From passport to headlamp, there are some good tips here .


Read more...

Volunteer Work Latin America was lucky enough to sit down with Heather Graham, the Project Director of Casa Guatemala. This amazing organization aims to help Guatemala’s children through education and job preparation. Here, we discuss Casa Guatemala’s mission and the role of its volunteers.

Will you briefly describe your project and its mission?

Casa Guatemala provides a safe, nurturing home, health care and education to Guatemala’s abused, abandoned, and malnourished children. It also provides an environment that allows its young adults to gain practical job skills through its various business operations.


To read the entire interview with Heather Graham, visit our blog.

For more information about Casa Guatemala and other volunteer opportunities in Latin America, click here