Quick Facts
Program code
CL-VOL101
Category
Volunteer Work, Social Work with Adults
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
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Program details
Old-age poverty is a major problem in Chile. The Chilean social system is unfortunately not that developed and pensions are still much lower than the cost of living. Unfortunately, this means that many seniors have to work until they are no longer able to work and then have little opportunity to finance their lives. They may not have family members who can or would like to support them. This is also due to the often difficult working conditions and low wages in combination with a lack of government support. Many families simply cannot afford to cut back on work in order to take care of their seniors, even if they wanted to.
Many seniors are therefore depend on the help of non-profit organizations. They run retirement homes that provide accommodation, medical care, meals, spiritual support, and entertainment activities to people between 65 and 100 years old. Most homes are quite simple and convenient, and there is often a lack of helping hands. The retirement homes are mostly dependent on donations or religious aid organizations, as well as the energy of volunteers. This is where you come in! Get involved in an old people's home and give the residents attention, appreciation and hope. With your volunteer work in a retirement home, you can counteract this serious social problem and make a meaningful contribution.
During your volunteer service in a retirement home in Chile, you will feel the warmth and gratitude of the residents. The Christian religion often plays a major role for both the operators of the facilities and the elderly, so you should be open and tolerant. You will be surprised, how interesting the life stories of the senior often are. If you get involved, they'll be happy to share their experiences and stories with you. So you can take home a lot more than a plus in your resume and a look outside the box - wait and see!
You do not need any special previous knowledge to complete this voluntary service in Chile. However, you should be empathetic, work responsibly and independently, and be good with people.
As soon as you have been successfully placed in a program position, we will send you the exact description of your volunteer position. This way you will know exactly where you will be working before you leave.
Tasks
This volunteer position is perfect for helpers with a social streak who enjoy dealing with people. The elderly people come from very different backgrounds, everyone has an interesting story. Some have always been poor and have had to struggle all their lives, while others have had good businesses in the past, were teachers or had other respected jobs and slipped into poverty as a result of unfavorable changes in life and often also due to the pension and health system.
In addition to varying degrees of help in everyday life, the seniors also need someone who listens to them or keeps them company. There are sometimes no family members or, in some cases, they themselves are so busy "surviving", that they cannot visit often, even if they want to.
Possible tasks can be
- Meaningful occupation of the residents or day guests
- Going for a walk with the seniors
- Board games, reading aloud, telling stories, listening, etc.
- Activities to support mental fitness
- Assistance in the kitchen and with the distribution of food
- Support the nursing staff
This project is also available as a part-time job 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
We offer accommodation in a homestay. This means that you live in a local private household in which one or more rooms are sublet. Hosts can be single persons, e.g. nice señoras, young professionals, couples, families or students.
You will have a single room with access to living room, kitchen, bathroom, etc. Internet is included. All accommodations are in a safe location with good public transport connection. Half board can be booked.
Note: Only our premium package includes accommodation placement.
Location
The capital of Chile is an amazing city and one of the few metropolises in the world where you can actually ask yourself: "Going to the beach today and skiing tomorrow, or the other way around?", since world-class ski slopes (and trekking routes in summer) await you in the high Andes. Santiago divides Chile into the fertile south and the dry, mineral-rich north.
Santiago itself offers fun for everyone: There are beautiful places to relax, old colonial buildings and a lively urban culture with museums, street artists, theaters and more; small craft markets and green meadows, countless restaurants and pubs in beautiful nightlife areas.
And above all, there is the flair of a metropolis, which combines the characteristics of a modern capital with those of a colonial city. Santiago is where the heart of Chile's economy and progress beats and whare about one third of the Chileans are at home.
The Santiaguinos are usually friendly and helpful people and as a foreigner, you can quickly connect to them. Santiago is also home to numerous universities, which has led to a lively international student life.
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$ 250 (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$ 915 (minimum duration 4 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 170
Additionally, you can book:
- US$ 75/week for half-board suplement (breakfast & dinner)
- Spanish course in Chile
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
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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.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!