Children Living with Disabilities

Location: Córdoba, Argentina
Project : AYSAND - center for education and therapy for disabled children
Start Dates: First and Third Monday of each month
Arrival & Departure Point: Córdoba International Airport
Language/Skill Requirements: N/A, Intermediate Spanish preferred
Accommodation and Meals: Host Family or Volunteer Residence. Meals not included.
Primary Activities: Care for, stimulate and entertain children with disabilities
Working Hours: 25-35 hours/week

Overview of the Project

AYSAND (Assistance and Service to Children with Disabilities) has been providing education, therapy, occupational training and recreational services to youths with disabilities for the last 13 years.  AYSAND operates permanently at its maximum capacity of 120 children with a large waiting list.  The children are divided into 3 levels as per their progress and disability level, Unlike most NGOs AYSAND does receive some government and private support, although it is nowhere near enough to meet the great need that exists.  

Working with disabled children can prove to be very emotionally challenging for volunteers though extremely rewarding. While observing the ways disabilities have affected young lives can be heartrending, the work is immensely uplifting at the same time. It is truly amazing and rewarding to watch a child respond to your love, care, and attention.   Volunteers work side by side with teachers and other volunteers assisting in recreational, manual and artistic activities, reading stories, organizing sport activities, caring for and playing with the children and helping in the kitchen and dining room.

Role of the Volunteer

• Reading stories, caring for and simply playing with the children;
• Strolls to the zoo, parks, cultural centers, or to the cinema; 
• Teaching physical dexterity and motor skills through gardening, handicrafts, art, music, carpentry, dances, etc;
• Organizing and developing sports activities;
• Providing support in the kitchen, by helping to prepare and serve meals and snacks

A typical day of Córdoba volunteer in this Project:

09:00 – 10:00 hrs: Breakfast and preparation time
10:00 – 11:00 hrs: Bus trip to the project, in La Calera.
11.00 – 13:00 hrs: Time for work/take care of kids, play, sing, take them around etc.
13.00 – 14.00 hrs: Lunch time, volunteers can distribute food, monitor the kids, etc.
14.00 – 18.00 hrs: Time for work/help kids; teach, talk, take them around and other activities.
1800 hrs: Volunteers can go back to their accommodation

Skills/Qualifications Requirements

Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred. There are no additional specific qualifications required since the project staff will provide any necessary orientation and training to adequately perform the volunteer activities.

Room/Supervision

Global Crossroad provides accommodation (two beds per room) in a well kept house in a very quiet and safe middle class residential neighborhood which is less than 10 minutes walk to downtown .  This situation allows participants to make friends fast and to immerse more easily in the local culture. The daily free Spanish classes and the Tango classes are provided in this place, which also serves as our local partner's organization's office so you will have permanent access to our in country coordinators.

Location Descriptions

This volunteer project is located in La Calera, Argentina . a small community of 30,000 inhabitants located in the sierras chicas, 17 km (20 minutes drive) west of the city of Cordoba . The area is characterized by limestone and stone quarrying for to the construction industry. La Calera The Suquia river run across the town and is joined by other streams that descend from the mountains forming a lake in a beautiful landscape, right in front of the project facilities. Córdoba is a safe and modern city second in size and stature only to Buenos Aires , although with a much lower cost of living...

In the colonial period, prior to the rise of Buenos Aires , Cordoba was the center of arts and learning, a place of scholars and priests, churches and universities. Some 300 years later, Cordoba has retained its rich colonial heritage, especially in its culture and architecture, and was named a UNESCO world heritage site in 2000. During weekends and free time, there are virtually unlimited travel options such as visiting impressive colonial churches, taking in the fantastic scenic views nearby, trekking, horseback riding, trips to local handicraft outlets, and many more activities to enjoy.