1. Why Volunteer with InsightArgentina, the volunteer program of HelpArgentina?
3. What type of volunteer projects are available?
4. How long do volunteer projects last? Can I extend my volunteer stay after I arrive in Argentina?
5. When can I apply? When do the volunteer projects begin?
6. What is the profile of a volunteer?
7. How many hours per week can I volunteer?
8. Can I go on vacation once I begin volunteering?
9. What are the program costs?
10. Why do I have to pay to volunteer?
11. What other costs should I have in mind?
12. Do I need a visa to enter Argentina?
14. How do I arrange my housing and Spansih classes?
15. How do I get from the airport to my homestay?
16. How much does housing, Spanish, and airport pickup cost?
17. What are the program requirements to participate in the volunteer program?
18. Do I need medical insurance?
- Why Volunteer with InsightArgentina, the volunteer program of HelpArgentina?
- HelpArgentina is a US 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Through our volunteer program, we seek to promote philantrophy while providing vital human resources and assistance to other non-profit organizations throughout Argentina.
- We have worked for more than five years to help civil society organizations through the mobilization of donors and volunteers.
- We have received more than 350 foreign volunteers working in more than 30 Argentine organizations in Argentina.
- With a diverse network of Argentine organizsations, we offer customized volunteer placements for all individuals and groups who are interested.
- Because our central office is in Argentina, we are able to accompany and support the volunteer during his/her stay in our country.
- We offer a variety of ways for volunteers to continue supporting the host organization once they have returned to their respective countries.
Our program offers exclusive volunteer work with Argentine non-profit organizations. You can volunteer in Buenos Aires, Salta, Neuquen, Mendoza, Santa Fe, Patagonia, etc.
We offer volunteer placements in our member organizations. Volunteer activities vary from teaching English and organizing recreational activities at local community centers to youth outreach, fundraising, or working on marketing and communication strategies for the host organization. Volunteer placements may include experiences in the field to more professional, office-related opportunites.
Please note that the needs of the organizations may change. If for some reason you do not find volunteer tasks related to your interests, we encourage you to apply anyway because new activities often arise.
The minimum requirement for volunteering is one month. The length of the volunteer commitment depends on the volunteer as we do not have a limit. Volunteers have worked with us for up to one year.
Once in Argentina, you may extend your stay following the signing of a new volunteer contract with our program.
Volunteers may apply at any time during the year and at any moment during each month.
We request that applications are received at least one month prior to the start of the volunteer program. If you apply with shorter notice, we cannot guarantee a volunteer placement
The volunteer program begins with an individual orientation on either Tuesday or Wednesday of each week. We will accompany you to your host organization thereafter (where necessary).
We often receive students, young professionals, and adults. The majority of our volunteers descend from the United States, the UK, and other countries throughout Europe: France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Beligium, etc.
Our volunteers must be over 18 years of age.
Based on organizational needs, some language requirements and time commitments may exist.
Volunteers may decide to volunteer anywhere from one day a week to 40 hours per week. The average volunteer commitment is usually around 25 hours per week. Note: our organizations may also have specific time requirements for the volunteers.
Volunteers may take a break from volunteering to travel or for vacation once and only if they communicate their plans ahead of time to HelpArgentina and the host-organization. The host organization must know when the volunteer will leave and return. Please remember that we require at least a month of volunteering.
The program is USD450. This is a flat-fee irrespective of how long you stay. Please click here to find out what is included: http://www.helpargentina.org/en/iarequirements
Potential volunteers may be surprised to hear that there is a cost to participate in international volunteer work. At first, this may seem unfair (why do I have to pay to invest my time as a volunteer?). The answer is in the principal objective of InsightArgentina: to facilitate a mutually beneficial experience for not only the host organization, but also for the volunteer.
The value of volunteering internationally benefits both the organization and the volunteer. The organization receives the benefits of the volunteer´s work while the volunteer realizes their impact in the social sector. As well it allows the volunteer a unique perspective about the country, the organization with which they will work, and the social sector.
To establish a relationship between the volunteer and the organization requires a considerable amount of time and effort. HelpArgentina works to analyze the needs of the member organizations and the volunteer profiles in order to find the best combination. For this reason, we ask for a contribution of $450 USD to cover the costs of the program.
A part of the program cost ($100 USD) is given to the organization for which the volunteers will be working to be put towards their projects. The rest of the contribution is for administrative costs, volunteer recruitment, and program assistance prior and during the actual stay, maintaining the network of organizations, volunteer orientation, and personal accident insurance.
Realize that the fee does not cover all costs during your stay nor arrival to Argrentina. You will be responsible for paying:
- Transportation to and from Argentina
- Housing and food
- Daily transportation
- Spanish classes (optional)
- Personal Expenses
In Argentina, a specific visa for volunteers does not exist. You will have to enter the country as a tourist. Citizens from many countries do not need visas to enter Argentina (UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Belguim, etc) but others do. If you would like to look to see the requirements for you to enter the country, visit the web page for the Immigrations to Argentina (http://www.mrecic.gov.ar/). There will be a menu of countries. Select your country and if you need a visa, it will say so.
If you do not need a visa, you can enter the country as a tourist for 90 days. You will be able to renew this visa, if you cross the border into a neighboring country or if you visit the office of Immigration and pay a fee to renew it. If you need a visa, you should consult the Consulate that corresponds with your country. HelpArgentina will not be responsible for the costs of processing this visa.
As of the 1st of January, 2009, Argentina Hill begin to implement a fee for citizens of certain countries to enter because they require Argentines to pay a fee to enter. This does not mean that toursists can not obtain a visa, but rather they will have to pay to enter Argentina a cost that is equivalent for Argentines to enter their country.
No vaccines are required to enter Argentina. It is recommended that you get the Yellow Fever vaccination, especially if you intend to visit Paraguay or Brazil by crossing through the provinces of Chaco, Corrientes, Formosa, Salta, or Misiones. Note the province of Misiones includes the Cataratas del Iguazú.
Once you have confirmed your participation in the program and paid the fee, we will send you a list of housing providers and Spanish schools. You will contact the organizations directly and find what arrangements are most convenient for you. The contacts are reliable and will help you as much as you want.
See below.
The prices vary based on services and providers. Here is an approximate range of expected costs for Buenos Aires:
- Pickup service from Ezeiza: in remis (private car) from ARS $85 to ARS $ 141 or in bus from from ARS $ 15 to ARS $ 85
- Housing with a family from ARS 1800 per month (with only breakfast) to ARS 2160 per month (with breakfast and dinner Monday – Friday)
- Shared apartments from USD 200 to USD 500 per month.
- Private apartments from USD 600 to USD 2100 per month.
- Student residences from USD 300 – USD 500 per month.
- Spanish classes: from USD 5.50 to USD 7.00 per hour for group classes or USD 11 – USD 13 for private hour classes
Age: Participants have to be at least 18 years old at the time of travel.
Spanish Level: Volunteers should have at least a basic level of Spanish (3 semesters of study recommended).
International Medical Insurance: It is obligatory to possess international medical insurance in order to participate in the program. A good number of plans include this in coverage. You should check with your provider before buying a new plan.
18. Do I need medical insurance?
It is obligatory that you possess medical insurance in order to participate in the program. The majority of plans include this coverage. Particiapnts should check with their providers before buying a new plan. In the application, we ask for your insurance information. If you do not have it at the moment of applying, you will be required to send it to us before arriving. .
Visit this link to our website http://www.helpargentina.org/en/stepsvolunteer and follow the instructions!
20. How do I pay for the program?
Different forms of payment accepted:
1.On-line with credit card.
You can donate online to HelpArgentina. To do this follow the link and pay through our credit card system: http://www.helpargentina.org/en/node/1134
2. Offline with credit card:
If you prefer to pay with credit card offline, although our online system insures safety, we can call you and ask for the credit card information. The information que we need for the transaction includes the complete name of the card holder, type of credit card, number of the card, expiration date, billing address, and telephone number.
3. Bank Transfer
Depending on the type of bank account, you can complete a transfer online or by telephone. Once the transfer is complete, please confirm via email to volunteers@helpargentina.org.
Here is the necessary information for a bank transfer:
HELPARGENTINA
712 5th Ave Fl 8
New York, NY 10019
HELPARGENTINA
CITI Account #: 83120410
CITIBANK, N.A. 039 127 Hudson Street New York, NY 10013
SWIFT USCITI33
ABA 021000089
4. Check or Money Order
If you want to pay with a check or a money order, the address to send it to is the following:
HELPARGENTINA
712 5th Ave Fl 8
New York, NY 10019
5. Paypal
