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Work in NGO – Community Development Project
Location: Córdoba , Argentina
Projects : NGO Professional / Support Projects
Start Dates: First and Third Monday of each month
Arrival & Departure Point : Córdoba International Airport
Skill Requirement/Language: Intermediate Spanish
Accommodation and Meals: Volunteer House. Meals not included.
Main activities: Marketing/Communications, project writing and reporting, research and development, web site design, database management, general office tasks and many more.
Working Hours : 5-6 hours/day - 5 days a week
Overview of the project
Our local partners provide free management and structural assistance to support small and mid-sized non-profits (NGOs) in Argentina . In addition to lacking operational expertise, these local NGOs are also generally in desperate need of capable and committed volunteers not only to work directly in their programs, but also to help them become stronger, more sustainable and better able to serve their communities. To help Argentina 's local NGOs fill this gap volunteer Argentina program recruits international volunteers and matches them with a project geared toward their interests and where their knowledge and skills can provide the maximum positive impact.
Argentine NGOs need volunteers with backgrounds in a wide variety of fields such as social sciences, social work, psychology, sociology, development, economics, management, marketing, political science, international relations, humanities, arts, tourism, communication, and more. Volunteers' activities for NGO projects mainly involve office/ intellectual work that NGOs and grassroots organizations do not have the expertise and means to perform themselves.
There is no typical volunteer profile for a NGO project. While many are students who want to contribute while fulfilling scholastic or internship requirements, many are also experienced professionals who want to turn a vacation or sabbatical into a unique life-enriching experience of learning while helping others. Project participants put their knowledge to work helping real people and real programs thus gaining an unforgettable personal and professional experience. At the same time, they improve their Spanish and have the opportunity to be deeply immersed in the incredible culture of Argentina 's people
Role of the Volunteer
No matter what the NGO's specific mission and objectives may be, there are several common underlying functions they need to perform to ensure their sustainability and growth, like marketing, fundraising, planning, recruitment, accounting, organization development, and many other capacity building tasks that most local NGOs do not have the internal expertise or time to carry out. Volunteer activities are as diverse as reporting, planning, designing brochures, messages and other marketing pieces, researching on the web, building databases, shooting photos and videos, attending meetings, interviewing, assessing, networking and among endless others. Project assignments are generally not "open", but rather made by matching a potential volunteer's unique skills and interests to the needs of our NGOs at the time of inquiry, which are very specific, but too variable to detail as ongoing needs.
Skills/Qualifications Requirements
To be able to customize your volunteer project to your individual needs, meet your expectations and provide a challenging and rewarding experience that you will use and remember for the rest of your personal, academic and professional life, you should address the following issues in your on line application: Since these projects are quite customized to our applicant's individual needs, you should address the following issues in your on line application, so that we may meet your expectations and provide a challenging and rewarding experience that you will use and remember for the rest of your personal, academic and professional life.
• Do you adequately speak and understand Spanish so that the language barrier will not hinder your work as an volunteer? If not, we strongly recommend you take the free Spanish classes offered by Global Crossroad and maybe consider taking a Language course before arriving to the country.
• Are you doing this for the experience or for school credit ? If so, what are your school's requirements to gain credits for your internship? Do they furnish a written set of guidelines (minimum hours worked, detailed certificate, final evaluation, etc.)? Do they have a form that we need to complete and send in for you? We can help ensure that your internship meets all their requirements.
• Can you clarify the area and activities you would like for your volunteer? Rather broad areas can be difficult to fulfill so it is best that we fully understand what you are looking for. Please let us know not only what subject area of your interest, but also what you would like to accomplish during your internship.
• Do you need a mentor/supervisor to help guide your work and studies for the duration of your internship and help you complete your final field report at the close of your project?. Does this mentor/supervisor need to have specific qualifications?
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
Most NGOs are located in poor communities surrounding the city. Córdoba is a safe and modern city second in size and stature only to Buenos Aires , although with a much lower cost of living. Typical of a University City it has a vibrant youth culture. Located at the base of the breath-taking Sierras, Cordoba is one of the major tourist destinations for Argentines; however, there are few international tourists, creating a wonderfully immersive environment for travelers truly wanting to learn the language and rich culture of Argentina .
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.
A typical day of a NGO Project Volunteer :
08:00 – 09:30 hrs: Breakfast and preparation time
09:30 – 10:00 hrs: Bus trip to the project for field work or work at our local partner office
10.00 – 12:00 hrs: Develop assigned activities at project site or local partner's office.
12.00 – 13.00 hrs: Lunch time -
13.00 – 17.00 hrs: Develop assigned activities at project site or local partner's office.
1700 hrs: Volunteers return to or stay at their accommodation for their free Spanish classes.
Remarks: This daily itinerary gives the generic picture of daily activities .
| Children at Risk/Orphanage Projects
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| Non – Governmental Organizations
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