Quick Facts
Program code
CL-FS104
Category
Volunteer Work, Farm Work
Country
Chile
Location
Putemún, close to Castro, Island of Chiloé
Program start
Flexible start and end dates all year round. In the winter months between late April and late September, the weather is cold and rainy. For non-weatherproof participants, the best time to participate is between the beginning of October and April.
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
The Farm Stay program takes place in a center for horse therapy and equestrian sports. The center has an area of 12 hectares in a rural area not far from the tourist city of Castro in the middle of the island of Chiloé.
Various specialists from the fields of medicine, psychology, education and physiotherapy have come together in the riding center to offer an alternative treatment method for physically and mentally handicapped patients. The target group are especially children and youth with socially weak backgrounds.
The horse therapy center offers people with disabilities special therapy options (physical, cognitive, social and emotional) with the help of horses. Horse riding is a popular hobby for many people. Endorphins are released when riding. Equine therapy also makes use of these important properties. The use of the horse as a therapist has particular advantages in the rehabilitation of physically or mentally handicapped people due to its positive effects on body, soul and spirit.
Moving on the back of the horse improves the person's balance and promotes coordination, gross motor skills, reflexes and the control and correction of posture. The horses also help to convey the temporal and spatial orientation skills and the self-control of the emotions is increased. The horses take on the role of a friend, which improves gestural and verbal communication and increases self-esteem for the disabled.
The horses in their role as therapists increase the ability to take responsibility for the care of a third party (the horse) and create friendship bonds.
The Center for Horse Therapy and Equestrian Sports does not pursue any profit-making intent. Horse therapy sessions are financed through paid riding lessons.
Tasks
At work, everything revolves around the well-being of the horses and patients. Depending on their experience with horses, the program participants are deployed in different areas.
According to the current needs of the project and the skills of the participant, the work schedule and working hours are determined at the start of the program. Usually participants work around 8 hours a day from Monday to Saturday.
The tasks include:
- Caring of the horses
- Feeding and cleaning horses
- Helping with horse therapy
- Helping with riding lessons for children
- Moving and training horses
- Working in the barn
- Maintenance and cleaning work
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 the Farm Stay program you will live directly on the premises of the horse therapy center in a small cottage, surrounded by beautiful nature. The family who runs the center will be your local contact. This cultural integration wonderfully rounds off this beautiful volunteer program.
If the availability allows it, volunteers get a single room. Otherwise they have to share the room with another volunteer. The bathroom may also be single or shared.
Internet connection is available.
Location
The center for horse therapy and equestrian sports is located in a beautiful rural area on the mystical island of Chiloé near the city of Castro. Castro is the provincial capital of the island. Chiloé is located in the Los Lagos region in the south of Chile.
Chiloé is a place full of myths and legends with a unique folklore and culinary traditions. The island is blessed with a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking nature.
The island of Chiloé is known for the beautiful stilt houses that line the banks of Castro, for the interesting handicraft markets, for its iconic wooden churches from the 17th and 18th centuries (some UNESCO World Heritage Sites), as well as for untouched nature and a lively fauna on land and in the water (penguins, blue whales, sea lions, dolphins, sea birds, pudus, the chilote fox, the little mountain monkey, sea otters, etc.).
Nature lovers enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is characterized by a mountain range that runs through the entire island, impressive channals, countless offshore islands, beautiful nature reserves and evergreen vegetation.
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!)
- Basic knowledge of handling horses
- Respectful treatment of employees, patients and animals
- Minimum age 18 years
- Application at least 8 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
Our volunteer work in the horse therapy center on Chiloé Island includes:
- Shared or single room in Volunteer House (depending on availability)
- Meal allowance of 30,000 Chilean pesos/week for grocery shopping (apprxo. 35 USD/week)
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your Farm Stay placement
- 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
Program fee: US$ 350 (minimum duration 4 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 15
Additionally, you can book:
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!