Argentina
One fully funded Award to volunteer in La Casita del Quirquincho
Deadline passed: No further applications being accepted
Chilecito and the surrounding community has a population of 42.000 people. It is a picturesque place surrounded by small and rocky hills and not far from El Famatina, one of the highest mountains in Argentina. Like many Argentinean towns, Chilecito is a place of social contrasts and contradictions. Up to 20% of the population live in poverty and the poorer children often survive on one meal per day. This project caters for 40 children aged between 3 and 9 years of age. The children spend about 3 hours each afternoon, from Monday to Friday, at the project where they are served lunch and receive help with their homework. They also learn team sports and a variety of other hobbies and educational activities. As this is a new project a dynamic volunteer with lots of initiative and new ideas is required.
The closing date for applications is 5pm March 26th 2010. Interviews will be held in April 2010. The names of selected participants will be announced in May 2010
Details
Age profile: Over 18 on 1st June 2010.
Travel dates: July 2010.
This travel award includes:
- Return flights from Ireland to Buenos Aires, transfers in Argentina and health and accident insurance
- 2 days arrival orinetation in Buenos Aires
- 30 hours of one-to-one Spanish classes
- 10 weeks volunteer placement in Chilecito including full board accommodation with a local family
- Local mentor and support
How to apply
To enter for an award you need to tell us…
“What you could bring to this experience and how you could benefit from participating in it”
You can do this by using any one of the following formats:
- An essay of not more than 700 words;
- A project format of not more than 8 A4 size pages combining pictures, clippings, art, drawings and writing in any combination you wish.
Each entry needs to be specific to the country you wish to apply for i.e. you cannot use the same entry for more than one country. You also need to complete a specific Travel Award Application Form. You will need to complete this task and forward it in hard copy with an application form to reach EIL by 5pm on March 26th 2010. Application forms are available from EIL. A selection committee will shortlist a number of entrants and these will be invited for interview in Dublin on a Saturday in mid April 2010. The winners will be announced in May 2010. The decisions of the adjudication panels will be final.
Blogs
Snow in July (!!), Dia del Amigo, Bouncy Castles and a little bit of DIY!
A letter from Sorcha Grehan a volunteer at the San Francisco school in Santa Fe
Rosetta Reilly, a primary teacher from Co Meath, shares her thoughts on volunteering in Argentina
Martina Clarke, a Quality Assurance Specialist from Co. Wicklow, volunteered for 3 months in a welfare project in Argentina
Denis Ahern, an accountant from Co. Cork, spent 5 months teaching in Santa Fe, Argentina
Patrcia Burke, a Travel Award winner, spent there 12 weeks on programme fighting HIV/AIDS and drug addiction in Argentina.
Terms & Conditions
- Nominations should only be made with the full permission of the young person involved
- Shortlisting may take place and interviews will take place pror to final selection
- Each successful applicant must complete all necessary supplementary application forms as required by EIL (including parental/guardian permissions if under 18)
- Selected applicants forfeit their place on the programme should he/she not be able to fully participate on the programme on all the dates as specified
- Young people will need to demonstrate an appropriate level of maturity and responsibility in order to participante
- All persons making nominations and all the young applicants agree to accept the decision of the EIL adjudication panel as final.





