Community Development in Argentina

About the program

This wonderful community development program currently works on three key projects;

Ciudad Oculta - Around 45 minutes away from central Buenos Aires by car, Ciudad Oculta (The hidden city) houses around 100,000 people within just five square kilometres, a slum area of epic proportions. Urban poverty has resulted in children having no green spaces to play, crime rates are high and the streets are dangerous. This project, which supports approximately 750 children, offers school supplies and volunteer tutors.

Happy Birthday! - The objective of this very special program is to strengthen the children’s sense of self-worth and adaptability to their social environment by establishing emotional bonds that will stimulate their development. The project provides a monthly birthday party celebration for each community centre to celebrate these wonderful children and acknowledge the birthdays of those in that month.

Water for Peruti - Perutí is an indigenous village located in the middle of the Misiones jungle in the Northeast of Argentina, more than 1,500 kilometres from the city of Buenos Aires. The community is made up of 85 families who live in a state of abject poverty as a result of the commercial deforestation and exploitation of their lands. Over 75% of the children in Peruti suffer from malnourishment. Originally established to set up clean water for this community (now accomplished) a long term Humanitarian Assistance project now operates.

Goals of this Project:

• Provide educational support for the impoverished and at-risk children of Ciudad Oculta
• Celebrate the children of impoverished communities and build their sense of worth by hosting birthday parties for those who would otherwise go without
• Improve the health and long term wellbeing of the marginalized indigenous community of Perutí
• Provide an opportunity for cross cultural exchange between volunteers and locals

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Volunteer's role

• Deliver resources to schools in impoverished areas and help with extra-curricular activities
• Deliver humanitarian assistance programs
• Tutor impoverished children aged 3 – 12 in a class room setting in math, Spanish, and English
• Organize and host birthday parties for marginalized children
• Assist program staff with organization and other task as required

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Requirements

Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to help create a brighter future for people living in marginalized communities of Argentina. While this project is best suited to those pursuing a career in the fields of anthropology, social work, social entrepreneurship and/or economics, volunteers who simply wish to be involved in a more ‘varied’ project are also welcomed as there are many ways you can assist and individual projects can often be tailored to suit the particular skills and interests or each participant. Volunteers on this project will need an understanding of Spanish in order to communicate effectively with staff and students. Importantly, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!

Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:

• Emergency contact
• Police check

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