Quick Facts
Program code
CL-VOL103
Category
Volunteer Work, Social Work with Adults, Health, Child Care
Country
Chile
Location
Santiago de Chile
Program start
flexible start and end dates, year round
Minimum duration
4 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
8 am - 4 pm EST
info@southamerica-inside.com
+56 97517 3724
+56 97516 9816
Program details
Having a disability or looking after a family member with a disability is a big challenge everywhere. In Chile, where there is very little support and families often face high costs if they find support, this is even more difficult. The health care system hardly covers help, so charity organizations often step into the breach to improve people's quality of life and promote their physical and mental development.
Our volunteer project is carried out at a non-profit organization. They provide indispensable support for many people by promoting physical and mental development while improving the quality of life of those affected. Your commitment is crucial to easing the pressure on families and providing them with much-needed support.
If you want to help where it is really needed and develop your intercultural skills along the way, one of these volunteer projects is ideal for you.
The organization looks back on 50 years of work and helps approximately 3,500 children and adults each year.
It operates various homes throughout the country. It offers people with intellectual disabilities a home, a family, and loving care. Our volunteers are placed in two different homes located in the neighborhood of Recoleta in Santiago de Chile, where people with disabilities find a familiar and loving environment.
Tasks
Here, you can show compassion and care for those who often receive too little respect and attention in society. If you're interested in applying your social calling where it's truly needed and developing your intercultural skills, this volunteer program is ideal.
You'll be able to get involved in various areas to help people with disabilities discover and further develop their talents and skills through workshops, occupational therapy, and courses. Supervision and support during leisure activities is also an important task to ensure their well-being and safety.
You don't need any previous experience in this field, but you should definitely have patience, a strong sense of responsibility, and empathy.
The general working hours for volunteers are from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Volunteers can enjoy lunch at the home.
Volunteers are deployed in a variety of areas. While the focus is on people, it is equally important to ensure a pleasant living environment and living situation.
You may be involved in the following activities:
- Caring for and accompanying residents
- Caring for or assisting with the care of residents
- Fun and games, bringing joy to the residents
- Assisting with meal preparation
- Assisting with developmental activities
- Assisting with cleaning the home
- Do you have a green thumb? Then you are also welcome to help in the garden
This project is also available as a part-time volunteer program in combination with a Spanish course.
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
Do you want to experience the real Chile? With a homestay, you're not just staying anywhere, but right in the heart of Chilean culture. You'll live in a private home and immerse yourself in the everyday life of the locals. This is the perfect opportunity to improve your Spanish skills through authentic conversations and experience Chilean hospitality.
You'll have a single room and share common areas with your hosts, usually señoras, who offer their rooms to our volunteers. Internet access is included, of course. No matter who hosts you, they're all excited to share their culture with you.
All accommodations are located in safe neighborhoods with good public transportation connections. You can optionally add half board. Look forward to delicious, traditional home-cooked meals that showcase Chilean cuisine at its best.
Note: Only our premium package includes accommodation placement.
Location
Welcome to Santiago, the vibrant heart of Chile, located halfway between the arid north and the fertile south.
But this city is so much more than just a geographical center. It's a vibrant metropolis that offers you a unique choice: Do you want to relax on the beach today and ski tomorrow? From here, you can quickly reach the sunny sandy beaches of the Pacific or, in winter, the breathtaking ski slopes of the Andes. In summer, the mountains transform into a paradise for hikers and trekking enthusiasts.
Santiago itself is an exciting blend of history and modernity. Here, old colonial buildings and lively squares meet a dynamic, up-and-coming metropolis.
Immerse yourself in a rich culture with museums, theaters, and street performers that bring the city to life. Discover hidden craft markets and green oases for relaxation. In the numerous nightlife districts, you'll find countless restaurants and pubs where you can enjoy Chile's culinary diversity.
Home to around a third of Chile's population, Santiago is the center of business and progress. But despite its size, the city feels open and welcoming.
The Santiaguinos, the city's residents, are known for their friendliness and helpfulness. As a foreigner, you'll quickly find yourself in a community here, especially thanks to the many universities that have led to a thriving international student scene over the past two decades.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level, so that you can communicate with the staff in you volunteer project, understand work instructions and get actively involved.
For optimal preparation for your volunteer work in Chile, 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.
You can book your Spanish course in Chile directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Chile!)
- 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 health insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, 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 given by our office in Santiago de Chile you will be supported by an on-site volunteer coordinator.
Costs & Services
Volunteer Work Basic includes:
- 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
Application fee: US$ 150
Placement fee: US$ 300 (minimum duration 4 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 15
Additionally, you can book:
Volunteer Work Premium includes
- Single room in homestay
- Internet access at homestay
- Airport pick-up in Santiago
- 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
Application fee: US$ 150
Placement fee: US$ 1,070 (minimum duration 4 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 195
Additionally, you can book:
- US$ 100/week for half-board supplement (breakfast & dinner)
- Spanish course in Chile
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
Is it difficult for you to decide between the many great projects? You want to see and experience as much as possible during your stay in Latin America? Then build your own itinerary - experience more & see more! Our program combination makes it possible!
All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
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.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!