Volunteer with Children at Social Risk in Chile

I arrived to VE as a full-time volunteer in December of 2008 and haven't found a reason to leave yet! I've worked on VE's staff for three years now and have never been so fulfilled by a job or inspired by my co-workers and volunteers. VE volunteers and staff are thoughtful, compassionate people who make a true difference in the lives of the children we work with. VE's educational programs provide consistency and unique opportunities for the children, and our volunteers provide invaluable daily companionship, mentoring, and emotional support. VE is also a close-knit, supportive community, acknowledging the need for extensive volunteer training and moments of reflection amongst challenging days with the children. VE truly follows its five values of positivity, empowerment, community, integrity, and responsibility. By avoiding "voluntourism" and prioritizing long-term volunteer stays, VE allows volunteers to build truly meaningful relationships with the children and work towards real progress.

I began volunteering with VE in September 2010, where I worked in a home for girls that had been exposed to abuse, abandonment and sexual abuse.

I love working with the girls and found that VE was very supportive, helping me make the most of my experience. VE offers lots of planned educational programs and allows you to also plan your own workshops for the kids. VE is also a supportive community that helps you through the tougher side of volunteering. If anything stressful came up, which tends to happen often when volunteering, I always had another volunteer friend or staff member to help me sort it out.

After my first six months, I began working full-time for VE as director of resource development. A job I love and know helps make an impact on the girls and children that I continue to volunteer with today.

I volunteered in an orphanage, soccer program, and dining hall for kids. In each placement, I made amazing connections and relationships with all the staff and kids. I will never forget their impact on me and the close friendships I made. I also lived with a host family whom I still talk to today. They were warm, friendly, helpful, supportive, fun, great cooks, hospitable... everything you could ask for in a family. Everyday, I think about my Argentinean family and kids I grew so close to. Thank to Projects Abroad, they will forever be in my heart.