Quick Facts
Program code
CL-VOL104
Category
Volunteer Work, Child Care
Country
Chile
Location
Santiago de Chile
Program start
flexible start and end dates, year-round
Minimum duration
4 weeks
Minimum age
17 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
Horse therapy is a well-proven treatment option for patients with different kinds of disabilities. It improves patient coordination, orientation and balance. The movements of the horse can release body tensions and the impulses on the back of the animals help the patient to develop their own body feeling.
The patients at the horse therapy center in Santiago de Chile are primarily children and adolescents who are affected by autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy or other developmental disorders.
If you love horses, are good with people and would like to bring in these talents on a voluntary basis for a while, volunteering in our horse therapy center in Santiago de Chile is just the thing for you. You will get interesting insights into the treatment methods of equine therapy and you will have the chance to develop further in your personality.
For this volunteer program, we are looking for empathetic, child and animal-loving volunteers who can also lend a hand if necessary. Educational or medical training is an advantage, but not a requirement.
Tasks
As volunteer in Chile, you will assist and care for disabled people (especially children) who participate in therapy sessions on horseback. In addition, you will support the maintenance and preparation of the horses. They have a very important task during the therapy sessions.
Your activities as a volunteer in Chile vary. Your duties may include:
- Supporting the therapists with therapy sessions
- Guiding the horses
- Holding the patients during therapy sessions
- Entertaining young patients
- Maintaining the facilities
For this type of volunteer work, there is no previous experience required, but you should be a sensitive and responsible individual. It is also a great advantage if you know about the treatment and care of horses.
Working hours are around 15-20 hours a week in the afternoon.
The project is very well suited to be carried out as part-time volunteer work in connection with a Spanish course in Santiago de Chile.
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
During your volunteer work in Chile, you will be accommodated in a local homestay. You will have a single room and share common areas with your house mates. Our homestays are of different size, some only rent one room others rent several rooms. Half-board (breakfast + dinner) can be added upon request.
We carefully select the accommodations and make sure that they are located in nice and safe neighborhoods with good infrastructure and public means of transportation. Typically, you can find supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and shopping centers nearby. Internet access is available at 100% of our accommodations.
Note: Only our premium package includes the accommodation.
Location
Santiago de Chile is located almost exactly in the middle of Chile, halfway between the north and south and also about half way between the Argentine border and the ocean.
The capital of Chile is an amazing city and one of the few metropolises in the world where you can actually ask yourself the question: "Going to the sea today and skiing tomorrow, or would you prefer the other way around?" since beautiful beaches are at the same distance like world-class ski slopes (and trekking routes during summer) in the Andes Mountains. Santiago de Chile divides Chile into the fertile south and the dry, mineral-rich north.
And the city itself has something 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 an up-and-coming metropolis that combines the characteristics of a modern capital with those of a colonial city steeped in history.
This is where the heart of Chile's economy and progress beats and about a third of the Chileans are at home here. The Santiaguinos are usually friendly and helpful people and as a foreigner you can quickly find a connection. Santiago is also home to numerous universities, which has led to a lively international student life, especially in the past two decades.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. 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 17 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!)
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!