Volunteer in a Street Children's Home

Project Summary: This project placement is based in a child care center located in Santa Cruz. The project is dedicated to helping street children in order to help them reintegrate themselves into society. The center provides a crucial support system that includes home, board, education, health care, social and psychological assistance. By providing them with education and guidance, it is possible for these children to reform and regain their self-confidence so they can manage to successfully integrate themselves back into society. 400 children (girls and boys) reside at the center, aged from 0 to 18. They are housed in 11 buildings, which contain a day nursery, a school, a single mothers' institution, a house for teenagers, a bakery, a wood shop and a dressmaking business.

Why the placement needs volunteers

This project needs the support of volunteers to help provide face-to-face level interaction with these children which is crucial in reaching out to these children. This is a chance for you to create meaningful bonds and emotional ties with these children and help to change their lives for the better.

Program Requirements

You should enjoy interacting with children and be open-minded to challenging situations that may arise while caring for the children on a daily basis. Motivation is a very important tool and a basic level of Spanish would be helpful.

Your role as a volunteer

You will have the choice to choose the type of work you would like to do. The type of work and subjects taught can vary from teaching English, sports, helping with homework and leading arts classes. In addition, you can become involved in the vocational training program, which involves classes in baking, carpentry and dressmaking which in turn helps to fund the children's home.

Program Schedule

The working day can range from 4-5 hours of teaching in the morning Monday to Friday with a lunch break.

Suggested resources to be brought to project

Donations of books, pens, notebooks, games etc are welcomed.