In a previous post, I shared tips about eight questions to ask before doing volunteer work on vacation in Latin America. Now, we’ll take a look at a few specific examples of worthwhile volunteer activities offered by organizations around the region. Voluntourism — the concept of doing volunteer work while on vacation — can be a powerful and wonderful way to spend part or all of your vacation in Latin America. I’d love to share some individual experiences here on LatinFlyer.com, so if you have a story to share, please let me know!
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DON’T MISS: 8 Questions to Ask Before You Volunteer on Vacation in Latin America
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Cross-Cultural Solutions
This non-profit organization offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities in Latin America and beyond.
Volunteer Opportunities in Brazil:
• Work with teachers on children’s education
• Supporting abandoned elderly women in favelas
• Improving the care of people with disabilities
• Supporting people affected by HIV/AIDS
Volunteer Opportunities in Guatemala:
• Assisting teachers in Guatemala City
• Assist with the growth and development of children
• Improving the health of elderly in Guatemala City
• Supporting a center for children with disabilities in Guatemala City
Volunteer Opportunities in Peru:
• Helping at underfunded primary and secondary schools in Lima
• Being a mentor and teacher at understaffed children’s centers in Lima
• Providing companionship and assistance to elderly in the shantytown of Villa El Salvador, in Lima
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Global Volunteers
This organization, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, has been around since 1984, and offers programs and volunteer activities for groups including students, seniors and — since 2014 — LGBT travelers.
Volunteer Opportunities in Cuba:
• Engage in humanitarian projects and participate in educational exchanges during two-week programs
Volunteer Opportunities in Costa Rica:
• Participate in community development projects in Monteverde, including building renovation, landscaping of public spaces, painting classrooms and improving ecotourism
• Assist with youth recreational activities
• Promote girls’ education
Volunteer Opportunities in Ecuador:
• Teach English to preschool children
• Teach health, nutrition and hygiene
• Start and maintain school gardens
• Construct and repair school facilities
Volunteer Opportunities in Peru:
• Teach math, science and geography
• Provide conversational English instruction to college students
• Start and maintain school gardens
• Construct and repair school and health facilities
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Habitat for Humanity
This well-known organization operates globally to construct housing and relieve housing needs around the world. You can visit specific websites and access information about Habitat for Humanity’s activities and volunteer opportunities in a variety of countries in Latin America, including the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Argentina.
If you have several months free, you can join Habitat’s long-term International Volunteer Program, which allows participants to bring their professional skill sets abroad and serve in a variety of capacities, including social media advisors, grant writers, volunteer coordinators and construction site advisors. Shorter trips are offered as part of their Global Village volunteer program, with upcoming trips including Guatemala (June 6-14) and the Dominican Republic (June 13-21 and July 18-25).