Get AMPED Abroad: Help the Homeless in Argentina

  Argentina

• Cordoba: 
Cordoba

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: First and third Monday of each month

Description: Caring for the homeless is a challenging task due to their transitory lifestyle and the fact that homelessness can be attributed to a number of factors that are far more complex than unemployment, such as mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence.

Our homeless shelter project in Argentina has been in operation for over 20 years servicing the basic needs of the homeless through the provision of food, healthcare, and employment services. The project's ultimate goal, of course, is to help end the cycle of homelessness by helping homeless men and women to become self-sufficient and to reintegrate into mainstream society.

There are three separate facilities that comprise this project. All of which service different age and gender demographics. One facility houses up to 20 adult women ages 30-60. The other two accommodations have a bed capacity of 25-30 persons, with one facility designated for men 60 years and younger and the other for men over the age of 60.

The homes are coordinated and supervised by an interdisciplinary team from different specialty areas such as psychology, nutrition, and physical therapy.

AMPED volunteers helping with this project may expect to contribute in the following ways:

* Conducting weekly workshops for activities that provide recreation and training, such as drama, music, crafts, dance, film, gender issues, and others. Workshops allow opportunities for cultural exchange and help to expand the knowledge and understanding of these deprived people;
* Assisting with institutionalized treatment of addictions, primarily drug and alcoholism addictions;
* Training for development of micro-enterprises business training, mentoring, financial planning, leadership development, administration, advertising, etc; and
* Assisting with therapy: physical and mental therapy; accompany individuals to their doctor visits and help them to complete medical paperwork.

Highlights: Participants receive FREE Spanish and Tango Lessons.

Spanish lessons are offered 2 hours per day, Monday-Friday for the duration of their stay, up to 120 weeks.

Cost in US$: Starting at 910

Participants will also receive information regarding their placement prior to their departure. Placement information, will include in-country contact information, alternative accommodations for delayed arrivals, currency exchange, phone and internet communication, laundry, etc.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: While participation is not limited to this demographic, the average age is 18-26. Program placements are in Cordoba, Argentina, which is a college town. Because Argentina tends to be known for its cultural sophistication, participants tend to be on the higher end of the age range. Participants that are flexible and open minded when it comes to cultural differences, ways of life, and work pace are those that tend to benefit most from their experience abroad, as do those that demonstrate initiative with regard to recommending and implementing changes to improve the project and to assist the staff.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Argentina Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Resume
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 2008