Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Argentina, Buenos Aires

• Exciting stay in Buenos Aires
• Improve your knowledge of the Spanish language
• Chance to enjoy a hands-on experience
• Make a difference to local people
• Meet like-minded volunteers

Participants will be able to travel to the exciting city of Buenos Aires in Argentina, where you will be able to help make a lasting positive impact on local communities. This trip is ideal for travellers who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, focusing on maintaining and renovating important structures within local schools, soup kitchens and other community spaces within Buenos Aires’ shanty towns. These facilities act as charities, which means they do not receive any government funding or assistance, so they are reliant on the aid offered by volunteers to maintain their buildings.

You will be assisting with renovating local spaces from Monday to Friday, with free time to spend at your leisure during the afternoons and weekends. During your free time, you will have the opportunity to take part in social activities and excursions, or you can simply enjoy exploring Argentina’s dazzling highlights. A typical day starts at 9:00, and participants can expect to finish working at around 14:00. Sometimes if working an afternoon shift, you will work until 17:00 – leaving time in the morning for Spanish lessons and still allowing plenty of time for sightseeing and exploring in the evening.

An optional introductory Spanish course is available which you can do during your first week in Argentina. This is highly recommended as there are a number of Argentine expressions that may be lost in translation if you are not aware of them. Participants can also refresh their knowledge of Spanish vocabulary that will be most relevant and useful for your participation in this project. If required, you can also book more than one week.

This is a meaningful building and renovation volunteer project that will see you use your efforts to support disadvantaged communities. You’ll build great friendships along the way with the locals, practising your Spanish as well as other international volunteers. This is a fully immersive cultural experience abroad that will benefit you and the community you visit.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

You can arrive any 1st and 3rd weekend of the year, with our preference being a Sunday arrival at the airport ready to start projects on the Monday. We will pick you up from the airport.

Please note the following times of year may disrupt trips but we will make every effort to provide adequate activities whilst you are with us:

– In Jan you can start on the 2nd weekend.
– Mid Dec to 1st week of Jan of preceding year – Not available due to Christmas holiday.

Visa
British Nationals will not require a visa to enter Argentina for up to 90 days. You can check your visa requirements by visiting the Argentine Embassy website.

The City of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is one of the safest countries to travel to in South America, and has a wealth of culture, colour, and landmarks to see. The efficient public transport service will be able to take you to surrounding districts – or barrios. The city centre is buzzing with energy, and includes a mixture of architectural styles and historical influences where you can wander past nineteenth-century buildings, classic cafes, high-rise blocks, and unique boutiques. The heart of the city is the Plaza de Mayo, which is the perfect place to begin a tour of the city, located in the very centre. Begin here and take in the government buildings before making your way to the Avenida de Mayo, the main boulevard of the city.

The Reserva Ecológica in Buenos Aires is an area of wild waterways and grasslands, which offers a unique juxtaposition of nature and city. Buildings may be visible through the trees, however you will feel truly immersed in nature here. Guided walks are available through the reserve as well as a range of tours – including one at night. A variety of species are visible here, including 200 species of birds, ducks, snail hawks, herons, swans, and gallinules. Some small mammals which inhabit the park include lizards, rodents, and coypus, making it a must-see destination for a nature lover.

Social Life in Argentina
Social Life in Argentina represents an important part of daily life. People from Buenos Aires are commonly know as the “porteños” who have the reputation of being quite talkative. Not surprisingly, you will come across loads of cafeterias where people meet up and have long conversations. This particular porteño`s characteristic will easily help you to meet likeminded people who love sport and love travelling. Therefore, by joining a local team club you will meet a great bunch of locals who will help you settle in rapidly and also teach you some Spanish slang!. In addition, our in-country team organises a variety of social activities to bring volunteers together, to share their experiences and, above all, have a good time.

Travel and Adventure in Argentina
Argentina is well-known for its amazing diversity of landscapes and also its vast extension from North to South. It is not by chance that it has become a very popular volunteer travel destination over the last couple of years. You will get ample opportunities to head out of Buenos Aires and explore the local area at weekends. A popular volunteer activity is to visit a farm on the outskirts of Buenos Aires and discover the beauty of the surrounding landscapes while getting to know local villagers!

There are plenty of things to do in Buenos Aires; from attending tango sessions to experiencing a traditional Argentine steak. Lets us know if you can finish it! It is a cosmopolitan and cultural city which has been developing over recent years. The so called Paris of South America gives its name to historical buildings and impressive palaces. Therefore, if you love sports and would also like to experience a taste of an interesting and colourful culture then Buenos Aires is a must-visit!

Spanish Lessons
Argentina is a Spanish speaking country so you will really benefit from having a basic understanding of the language. If, however, you are not a confident Spanish speaker, you can take lessons at our language school in Buenos Aires when you arrive, and also throughout your visit. The school offers a personal one-to-one tuition from native Argentineans who will help develop your understanding of both the local language and culture in which you are living. Beginners, intermediates and advanced levels are all very welcome at the school and all will benefit greatly from their time there.

The language lessons are usually for 2 hours a day to fit in around your placement activities. It does cost a little extra to attend the language school, but the benefits really are priceless. Not only will you be able to build stronger relationships and immerse yourself in the local culture, you will leave Buenos Aires with a transferable skill you can use for the rest of your life.

Accommodation
Accommodation represents an important part of the social atmosphere in Argentina. You will be placed in our shared volunteer guesthouse in Buenos Aires, living with other participants who are in-country at the time. The accommodation is centrally located to your volunteer project with shops and other useful amenities close by.

Airport Pick-Up
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early.

Accommodation
Shared house / student residence accommodation; Basic but comfortable; Shared rooms; Shared kitchen; Shared toilet / shower facilities; shared with other volunteers.

Breakfast
Breakfast is included at the accommodation, so please budget for lunch and dinner.

Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Lunch and Dinner (Budget GBP £8 -GBP £10 per day), Spending money; In country travel; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary.

Spanish course costs GBP £185 to book pre-departure or USD $210 in country for one-to-one tuition, 2hrs per day.

Suitable for ages 18 to 65

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.