Project Overview
Got a lot to give?
If so this is the perfect project for you with an unbeatable opportunity to make friends and make a difference. Despite its bright modern cities Argentina still has lots of orphaned children in need of a little love and attention as well as access to educational opportunities through English language lessons. There will be plenty of time to do what children do best and it won’t be long before they rope you in to all sorts of sports, singing, dancing and drama!
As a volunteer at one of the homes for orphaned girls and boys, you can make a real difference to young children's lives by providing support through education and English language lessons. You may also generate creative play through games, sports, singing, dancing and drama. There are even opportunities to participate in health awareness and nutrition programs, as well as handicraft workshops. Through all of your efforts, you will help to foster a sense of dignity in the girls and boys through the work they achieve.
The project only has few members of staff to carry out all the duties of the home, and so volunteers are needed in all aspects of running the home. The main reason for volunteers at the project is to spend time with the children and help plan activities with them. Volunteers might also help with cleaning duties, getting the kids ready for school and help during meal times.
Foremost, volunteers must have a love of children and be committed to working with them. You will need to be flexible and willing to roll up your sleeves and jump right in! A pro-active attitude is essential, and any skills that you have in any area working with children, from sports and music to drama, art or fundraising will be more than welcome. You should be able to speak some Spanish, preferably to an intermediate level. If you have basic Spanish and are willing to take our optional add-on Spanish lessons, this would be sufficient.
i-to-i volunteers get involved in a number of activities involved in the running of the home. You could be helping the children to get ready in the mornings, assisting on various trips, homework, teaching English, and organising recreational activities. The people who run the centres are interested in providing the children with the opportunity to meet people of other cultures, and so she hopes to encourage cultural exchange by hosting volunteers at the home. As the centres have very little the is the opportunity to help in renovation and maintenance to provide the children with a more safe and enjoyable place to stay.
The centres are all based in the lively city of Posadas, population 250,000. Posadas boasts interesting markets, friendly cafes, cinemas and museums, and there will be plenty to do on the weekends. The mystical Jesuit ruins of San Ignacio Mini are 34 miles to the east of Posadas and are a must see while you are there.
You will be staying in a comfortable homestay in Posadas.
Volunteers should fly into the airport at Posadas (PSS) on the arrival date. If arriving early a pick up can be arranged for a small fee, please contact i-to-i for more information.
Stories
Hannah Titmarsh gives this project 10/10
Here is what Hannah had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
I really enjoyed the overall experience of living in Posadas with my host family, as well as
working at Hogar El Refugio.
Posadas was a great place to live for
a month. Although I guess it is considered 'rural', there was always plenty to
do. We had some Spanish lessons while we were there, and also joined a tango
class two nights a week. The nightlife was great - the volunteers would
often meet to enjoy dinner and a few drinks! It was easy to embrace the
Argentine lifestyle of siesta during the day and staying out until the early
hours of the morning!
It is also really easy to visit nearby attractions on
weekends. Although I was only there for a month, I visited San Ignacio and the
beautiful ruins there. Also a trip to Iguazu Falls
one weekend is a MUST. Absolutely stunning!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I'll
always have great memories of my time in Posadas -
it opened my eyes! I saw some great things and met some great people... I also returned home with an acquired liking for Spanish pop music!
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
I think it's important for people to know that
your experience will definitely be what you make it. If you go to your project
with an open mind and lots of ideas you will be able to do great things. Be
flexible and go with the flow if things don't work out exactly how you
expected.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I loved my time in Posadas!
Jess Whitfield gives this project 10/10
Here is what Jess had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The children at the orphange. They were all so sweet and although they weren't always angels they were always hilarious, I have so many stories about their characters and the funny things they did and said.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Living in a different country with a completely different culture to your own, and having to adapt to it really quickly changes some of your ideas, also spending time with the other volunteers who are from different parts of the world affects you in ways, whether it be your daily routine or your sense of humour.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Bring nice clothes, even in the orphange the children are well dressed and do not approve of baggy unflatering clothes! If working with children bring a music player and speakers, they will love this. Try and learn some of the language before hand, this will make the trip so much better!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Crazy, Dancing, Pizza eating, Jumping, Touristy, Mullet wearing times!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
It couldn't really have been better, though maybe if I had taken Normas spanish lessons in the first week and also if I had brought an ipod with speakers. The children would have loved that.
Eileen tirling gives this project 10/10
Here is what Eileen had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The warmth and friendliness of the children and all the people I came in contact with in Posadas.
Being a usefal part of the daily lives of the children.
Making new friends and learning about the Argentinian way of life.
Taking tango lessons.
Visiting places like Iguazu, the Jesuit Ruins, the Esteros de Ibera and the Music Festival.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The poverty in general affected me and reenforced the fact that things are not important in life but people are.
I was apalled at first by the conditions the children had to live in but I quickly realised that they were better off than the children on the streets. They were at least safe and got fed regularly. I was impressed by how responsive the chidren were to the volunteers, how accepting they were and how well behaved and polite they were. They are amazing.
I was humbled by the kindness and care shown me by my in country co-ordinator Veronica Lafuente and her family. They were wonderfl and made my stay in Posadas a very happy one. They work so hard and are providing a very high and a very much appreciated level of support. My life is richer from having met them.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Respect the local culture.
Act like a local.
Enjoy every moment .
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
An unforgetable experience that changed my life!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Nothing. I had the best time! Thank you all for your organisation, help and support. You are doing an excellent job. I hope I will be able to afford to do another project with you soon!!!
Amanda Green gives this project 10/10
Here is what Amanda had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
playing with the kids and teaching them please and thank you! also salsa lessons, going out and living the lifestyle of local people.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
working in the refugio just opens your eyes more to the different conditions in which people live in the world and makes you appreciate what you have even more.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
definitely get in touch with people who have done the same project before, its difficult to know what its like until someone´s told you about it.
dont expect to make a huge difference to the project even if you´re there for a while, it takes a long time especially in developing countries.
interact as much as possible with the family you are living with because it will be very rewarding.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
amazing! eye-opening, fun, tough, saddening, energetic,
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
having another volunteer staying in the same house when i arrived, but really that almost turned into a good thing!
James McAlister gives this project 10/10
Here is what James had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Rebecca Stewart gives this project 9/10
Here is what Rebecca had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The children, everything about them, what they said,w hat they did. Every day working with them was so funny and I can understand why parents are always talking about their children, it was all I could talk about for the three months I was there!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Before I came out the Argentina I thought that all the places and people that needed help were like wht you see in the adverts for large charity organtisations. Posadas was a great city, similar to my home in England and it was nothing like what I imagined. My first impression of the orphanage was shock at the state of what the children lived like but it stil wasn´t the sort of place I´ve ever heard about on TV or Comic Releif but the kids needed our help as much as the places I´d heard about. I guess I just realised that there´s more to helping than the huge gestures like building houses and giving innoculations, as lifechangeing as that is, I felt i made just as much of a difference to the chidrens´ lives by just playing with them, hugging them and listening to their stories.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Expect the unexpected. From what I gathered from the information I-to-I told me I didn´t imagine I would meet all the friends that I did, I didn´t imagine I would be making a difference in such a subtle way witht eh chidren either. I though it would be teaching English etc but infact is was as simple as just playing with them. Something I wouldn´t change as if I had spent 3 months marking homework and teaching then I don´t think I would have bonded with the children the way I did. It was heartbreaking leaving them and I could tell that I gave them what they were really lacking, some love and attention!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I now understand the meaning of ´parting is such a sweet sorrow´.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
No.
Alice Garcia-Rodriguez gives this project 9/10
Here is what Alice had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
all the children at "hogar el refugio" and how they kept us on our toes!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
the lady running the refuge hit the children. the children then hit the volunteers if they didnt get their way. we worked together as a group of volunteers to teach the children basic manners and i also put in a personal complaint about the lady running the refuge.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
the children love balloons!
dont give the children your phone
they would love to go to the beach or the park or the pool one weekend!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I can't wait to go back!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
more things to do in and around posadas in my spare time. (or more things to do at the refuge as we only worked from half nine til half eleven-although sometimes we got there at 9 and left at half 12).
Kumari Middleton gives this project 8/10
Here is what Kumari had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The highlight of my trip was when the kids all sang a thank you song when we had finished renovating the refuge - I nearly cried! The children also came running to tell me how warm they were on their first night in their newly decorated orphanage.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I guess everyone leaves these things hoping they've made an impact on at least one kid's life and have managed to open their minds to the great possibilities and opportunities which exist out there.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
My time at the orphanage has flown so quickly and it was so moving. My biggest struggle is with the fact that I will most likely never see these children again, but at least I helped to make a difference to their lives.
Marjorie Tenchavez gives this project 8/10
Here is what Marjorie had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
I had the best time in Argentina - not only was I able to give something back to the local community, I've met some really lovely people and gained many new friends, and on top of all this I was able to brush up on my Spanish! I liked it because it wasn't as structured as I thought - it was up to us to make our time with the kids valuable.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I'll never forget the smiles on the children's faces when we took them out for ice-cream and to the movies, or when we bought them new undies and other toiletries (they were severely short of undies and some of the kids wore the same pair every day), and a new Christmas tree for the orphanage!
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Come prepared! It's a good idea to bring anything with you which will interest the kids such as colouring books, toys, arts and crafts, etc, in order to make your time with the kids more fun while teaching them a thing or two!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
It was one of the best times of my life!
Alessandra Colia gives this project 8/10
Here is what Alessandra had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
I liked being able to use my initiative. The project can only take you so far and then it's up to you!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The whole project was a memorable experience.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
I would recommend travelling with i-to-i for the great in-country support you get. I'm so thankful for the support of the in-country coordinator who went above and beyond her duties and was always there for all the volunteers and organised get togethers to make us feel like a family.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I had an amazing experience!
Heather Keys gives this project 8/10
Here is what Heather had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The attitude of most of the children in the Refuge even though their circumstances were by far from ideal.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
not necessarily
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1.Have no expectations.
2.Do what you can, but dont try to change the world.
3.Have a positive attitude no matter the circumstances.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Attention and affection means a lot to children.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Initially a more positive and welcoming attitude from the President of the Refuge would have been nice but that did improve.
Thea Mayes gives this project 7/10
Here is what Thea had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The music, learning tango, foz de iguazcu.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
seeing the children living in small dirty refuges, with food that was days old was heart breaking but also realising that i was there too simply play and take them out of the refuge so that they didnt have to spend there entire day couped up.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
try and learn some of the basic language before you go, be careful what you eat as alot of the food is strangely cooked but very bland, lots and lots of mosquito repelent.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Worthy of giving me the travel bug...
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
it was often hard to get hold of the inhouse coordinator, the food was very bland and the homestay while she waslovely was lovely didnt always rememeber to leave us breakfast, also paying for airconditioning was expensive and without it was too hot to sleep or even live.
Cressida Fitzgeorge-Parker gives this project 7/10
Here is what Cressida had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Meeting the children and making them laugh
Staying up late learning Spanish through passionate discussions with my homestay family about football and politics
Getting a new family in my incountry team who were by my side throughout my illness
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I became ill with appendicitis while I was on the trip. The operation had complications and I ended up with a whole in my spine and fluid leakimg from it with 7 more days in hospital unable to move. Not only was I in awe of the time that my in country team who became my family, fed me soup through a straw used my bed pan and gave me presents, despite their own circumstances, I met people in the hospital who were far worse off than myself. I also learnt a lot of Spanish and discovered how privileged I was in comparison to the orphans I was working with who would not have had the money for the vital care I needed. Following further complications I was finally discharged, refused to go home continued my project and went on to travel South America with a new found faith in myself.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
The people you stay with are just as interesting as your fellow volunteers.
By all means embrace the culture but compare with your own so you can develop your own set of rules.
Try everything!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
A challenge that I would go through again and again.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
My in country team went beyond what was called for to look after me during a serious illness and I'm still in touch with them now. The help I had before I went out there didn't really compare to them, the welcome packs weren't at all specific and I had very little idea what to expect. It didn't really hinder me out there but could be improved.
