Quick Facts
Program code
AR-VOL101
Category
Volunteer Work, Child Care, Education, Community Development
Country
Argentina
Location
Córdoba
Program start
from beginning of March until end of November. Start and end dates are flexible.
Minimum duration
4 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
+49 151 41300782
+56 9 7516 9816
8 am - 4 pm EST
info@southamerica-inside.com
WhatsApp
+49 151 41300782
+56 9 7516 9816
Project details
In Córdoba, Argentina, many children and young people face difficult living conditions. Poverty, poor access to education, a lack of prospects, and health challenges are part of everyday life. They often lack safe spaces where they can develop, learn, and simply be children. The lack of social support reinforces these inequalities and prevents many from reaching their potential.
The football club in northwest Córdoba is part of a foundation that creates learning and development spaces for children and young people in such socially vulnerable situations. Sport is used as a tool for social and educational inclusion. Through weekly training sessions, tournaments, and friendly matches, the children and young people are taught important values such as team spirit, fair play, and respect.
By volunteering at the football club in Córdoba, you have the opportunity to directly support children affected by poverty. The aim is to empower the children and young people to become agents of change in their communities – for a just world without discrimination, in which everyone has equal rights and can live in dignity.
The Football Club's Activities and Goals
- Training and tournaments: Men's and women's football teams, as well as youth teams in various age groups.
- Nutritional support: Affordable, balanced diets and promoting healthy eating habits.
- Educational programs: Workshops on emotional strength, family relationships, healthy eating, and vegetable gardens.
- Participation in leagues: Women's football in the Córdoba Premier League and U15 categories; youth football in the LCF tournament.
Volunteering at a football club is more than just an opportunity to experience new cultures - it's a chance to make a lasting impact on young people's lives. By volunteering at this football club in Córdoba, you'll help change children's lives through sport. At the same time, as a volunteer, you'll gain valuable personal experience and develop your skills.
Tasks
Volunteering at a football club means opening up new perspectives for children, strengthening the community, and actively contributing to a more just society. As part of this project, you will help transform children's lives through sport.
Your assignment in Argentina is divided into four consecutive phases:
1. Know to Love - Gaining Initial Insights
This phase takes place the week before the volunteer arrive. It consists of approximately two virtual workshops that provide an initial introduction to the history and culture of Argentina and Latin America.
2. Explore to Discover - Experiencing Córdoba
This phase begins with the volunteer's arrival in Córdoba and includes a tour of the city of Córdoba, as well as initial interactions with the foundation, its team, and the community where the volunteer work will take place. This process culminates in a joint assessment of each volunteer's specific skills to assign the tasks they will perform within the program.
3. Work to Learn – Actively Participate
In this phase, volunteer activities within the community begin, where volunteers learn to contribute their knowledge and talents and help advance local projects. Volunteers receive ongoing support from the local team, who help them integrate into the community.
4. Learn to Transform – Shaping Change
Throughout the volunteer program, volunteers are encouraged to identify and actively develop their own leadership style. In the final phase, they have the opportunity to lead their own social or environmental initiative with the support of the foundation and other local social organizations.
Your working hours as a volunteer at the football club are approximately 25 to 30 hours per week. Some activities may also take place at weekends, especially when there are tournaments. Days of the week may be off.
The local team is focused on supporting you as a volunteer and ensuring you have an unforgettable experience.
As part of the program experience, all volunteers take part in the Recycled Instruments Building Workshop, a complementary activity to their main volunteer project. While the main projects focus on generating positive social impact within communities, this workshop introduces a key dimension of the program: environmental impact, promoting sustainable practices and responsible use of resources.
The workshop takes place twice a week at the organisation headquarters and offers a hands-on and creative approach, where participants build musical instruments using discarded materials, guided by the organization’s team. Through this experience, volunteers not only develop technical and creative skills, but also actively engage in circular economy practices, understanding the value of reusing materials and reducing environmental impact.
These meetings are also always great opportunities to get to know other people, make contacts and arrange to meet up for leisure time.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
An important part of volunteering in Córdoba, Argentina, is immersing yourself in the everyday life and culture of the host country. While volunteering at the football club in Córdoba, you will have your own room in a typical homestay. Our carefully selected host families generally have many years of experience with international guests.
Host families provide a warm environment and an authentic cultural exchange experience. Homes are typically working-class, with shared spaces and local family dynamics. This experience is part of the cultural adaptation process, offering a valuable opportunity to
engage with and understand local daily life.
The homestays are mainly located in the city center of Córdoba or the surrounding area.
Living among the local population offers you the unique opportunity to experience the culture up close, taste traditional dishes, and get to know everyday life in Argentina. Another advantage: Your Spanish skills will improve quickly through daily contact with the language.
Note: In Latin America, especially in remote areas where many of our volunteer projects take place, the cellular or internet connection is not always reliable and fast.
Location
The football club is located in the northwest of Córdoba. Córdoba is Argentina's second-largest city. It is picturesquely situated in the heart of the country, surrounded by the verdant Sierra de Córdoba. The city combines a rich history with modern vibrancy. As a cultural center, Córdoba boasts impressive colonial architecture, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Manzana Jesuítica, a Jesuit quarter with churches and university buildings dating back to the 17th century.
Steeped in history, the city is also known for its vibrant art and music scene, charming cafés, and vibrant nightlife. Nature lovers appreciate the proximity to the mountains, which invite hikes and adventures. The annual Cosquín Festival and other traditional festivals attract visitors from all over the world.
The blend of history, culture, and nature makes Córdoba an ideal destination for those seeking an authentic Argentina experience.
Córdoba's central location also makes it a popular tourist destination.
For an additional fee, you can participate in excursions as part of your volunteer program. The foundation organizes weekend trips to the most popular tourist attractions, including Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Salta, and northwest Argentina, including Mendoza and Patagonia.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your volunteer work in Argentina, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality.
Basic knowledge is recommended. While the local team can communicate in English, the projects involve interaction with children and teenagers who do not speak English, making Spanish an important tool for a more meaningful and engaging experience.
You can book your Spanish course in Argentina directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Argentina with us!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
- Tetanus vaccine (not compulsory but recommended); Please ask your doctor for advice.
Pre-departure and in-country support
Our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance from our office, you will be supported locally by the founder of the dog shelter.
Costs & Services
Our Volunteer Project in Volunteering in a Football Club for Socially Marginalized Children includes:
- Homestay, single room
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Airport pick-up in Córdoba
- Airport drop-off in Córdoba
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program costs: US$ 1,375 (minimum stay 4 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 230
Additionally, you can book:
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Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
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