Work with Special Needs Children in Chile

  Chile

• Vina del Mar: 
Vina del Mar

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: throughout the year

Description: As in much of South America, children born with disabilities often face a bleak future in Chile. ELI works with several schools for special needs children. The schools work to provide the children with the skills and education they need to integrate into society. Volunteers with this project will have the opportunity to assist with occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other activities to stimulate the children physically and intellectually. This is a great opportunity to help motivate and empower the children at these centers. Interacting with international volunteers is always a high point for the children, and their smiles are unforgettable.

Highlights: All ELI programs are set up on a completely individual basis and tailored to the specific requests and skills of each participant.

The Chile programs are based in Viña del Mar, Chile's garden city. Viña is a dynamic city with some of Chile's nicest beaches, beautiful parks, and a famous music scene.

Viña is a perfect place to be based when exploring all that Chile has to offer including the wine country, skiing during the northern summer, the Andes, The UNESCO Heritage site of Valparaiso, Patagonia, and the rest of Chile.

Participants can choose between the unforgettable cultural immersion experience of living with a Chilean host family or the exciting independence of renting an apartment in one of Chile's most exciting cities.

Qualifications: Participants must be able to speak and comprehend Spanish at the high-intermediate level or higher

Cost in US$: Cost varies. Please inquire for details

Airport Pickup: Volunteers are met at the airport in Santiago and provided with transportation to their host family or apartment

In-country Orientation: Each volunteer program starts with a two to three day orientation which covers important topics on the logistics of living and working in Chile. Spanish classes are also provided.

In-country Staff Support: ELI's Chile coordinator has years of experience working with visitors to Chile. She is very resourceful and on call 24/7 in case of emergency.

Accommodations: Participants can choose between staying with a local host family or in an apartment. Participants staying with a host family are provided with a room and breakfast and dinner each day. By living with a family, participants will learn about the day to day rhythms of Chilean life first hand as well as sample traditional meals not usually available in restaurants.

Participants who choose to stay in an apartment have the flexibility of preparing meals at home and the opportunity to sample the many restaurants in Vina. This housing option is perfect for participants needing more independence.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: There is no typical ELI volunteer. We work with people from all over the world and a variety of backgrounds. ELI has placed volunteers ranging in age from 18-81. Successful volunteers are flexible, upbeat, energetic, and inquisitive.

Age Range: 18 and older

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Chile Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Resume
• Written Application

ELI-Experiential Learning International's Mission Statement: ELI's full name, Experiential Learning International, reflects our philosophy. We believe that the most compelling life lessons come through experience, and that international experiences are among the most profound influences on our sense of self and our view of the world. ELI facilitates flexible international learning programs for independent travelers by partnering with local organizations to give participants the opportunity to experience and contribute to sustainable ongoing local projects throughout the world.

Year Founded: 2001