Info

Rewarding Work in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires. You can teach a variety of subjects to children of all ages in a choice of schools, orphanages and centres.

As an additional element to your teaching, you can also assist in teaching in the Villa Soldatti Community Project. Villa Soldatti is the name of a shanty town within central Buenos Aires. It is the location of one of our newest and most deserving community projects, one that is close to our hearts, and if you choose to combine it with another teaching opportunity, you'll find that it will add substantially to your feeling of accomplishment and fulfilment.

Buenos Aires is a 24-hour city - lively, frenetic, with lots to see and do, and an exciting place to do some great work with some very underprivileged children.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Latin America.
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them
• And maybe best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Teaching takes place in children's homes, primary and secondary schools and social assistance centres, with children, teenagers or single mothers. The children often come from deprived or abusive backgrounds and have been taken into care by the Justice Department. Usually they attend school during the week but most have to return to their homes over the weekend, which is often unpleasant for them. Despite these disadvantages, the children are usually warm and friendly and they need care and affection. In several homes children suffer from behavioural problems and may be far behind in their classes.
Your help is needed to provide very basic English teaching through playing or singing with the children. In some of the Homes we work in, you may need a reasonable knowledge of Spanish, but in other Homes and schools, you don’t need a knowledge of the language.

One of the many homes we work with is "Hogar Los Querubines", a home for children whose parents are infected with HIV or whose parents have died from HIV. We also work with a number of private schools in Buenos Aires where the children come from middle class backgrounds. Despite this, they are not usually rich schools and some of the children are there because they have been awarded a scholarship. To teach in a school you don't need to be able to speak Spanish as you will nearly always be an assistant to the regular English teacher.

We also help adult courses in a variety of institutions where you could teach adults of all ages. Often class sizes are small and you’ll usually be in sole charge of the class. As you can see, there are different types of teaching available, something to suit everyone!
This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in Buenos Aires, or you could even do a this Project and then follow it with another project in Mendoza. That way you’ll get a good knowledge of two very different regions of the country.

LOCATION:

The romance of Argentina takes one's breath away. The natural wonders alone take some beating! From the northern deserts to the southern Andean Cordillera, from Iguazú Falls to the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, Argentina's geography is varied and stunning.

Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires:

This fabulous city is renowned for its sophistication and has a surprisingly European feel about it. BA is reminiscent of Paris and its tree-lined avenues and frequent plazas have a beguiling, faded elegance. Downtown, the Plaza de Mayo is the traditional focus of activity. Nearby Avenida 9 de Julio is popularly known as the world's widest thoroughfare and, with its nine lanes of traffic, is truly a pedestrian's nightmare! Avenida Santa Fe is the most fashionable shopping area.

Argentina is geared up to thrill - from nights tangoing in the chic quarter of Buenos Aires to gaucho riding in the grasslands of the Pampas. Dynamic and bustling, a city which seems never to sleep, Buenos Aires is one of the most exciting cities in Latin America. Tango was born here, restaurants serve all manner of world cuisines, bars play the latest music, cafés spill on to the streets and nightclubs allow dancing throughout the night.

ACCOMMODATION:

There are two choices for accommodation in Buenos Aires. Depending on your preferences you can either stay in the modern hostel with other volunteers, in the young and trendy neighbourhood of Palermo, or, if you would prefer a more cultural experience, you can be placed with a host family and be fluent in Spanish is no time!
Travellers' placements are very flexible and you can combine this project with any other Travellers project, either in the same country or in different countries.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:

Add to your travel experience in Argentina by doing some additional exciting activities - you never know, you could develop a passion for Latin American dance, or learn a new skill

• Tango Courses: That most flamboyant and exciting of Latin American rhythms. Includes a weekly Milonga (Tango party) – great fun!
• Salsa Courses: Salsa music is a synthesis of European and African musical influences that was born in Cuba. You’ll learn from a Cuban teacher who will tailor lessons to suit your level, even totally beginners.
• Spanish Language Courses: You can take a few hours of private lessons a week at the same time as doing your project. You'll be amazed at how much it will add to your enjoyment during your stay.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

Talk to us - We're there to help you. Call +44 (0) 1903 502595.

Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen. It’s as easy as that.

OUR VOLUNTEERS SAY...

"I'm really settling in well over here. Everyone at the hostel is friendly. I've visited all my placements now. The girls at Misericordia were so lovely and really eager to see all the postcards of London that I had brought with me. The girls at Nuñez loved looking at the pictures in my OK magazine, listening to my i-pod and chatting about what music they like in English! Buenos Aires is a great city and I can't wait to explore it moy Sre, especially as the weather is getting better everyday!" Becky Shellim

Duration

Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Costs / Benefits

Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £895 for two weeks. You can participate for up to one year.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).

You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Requirements

No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.