What is it like to volunteer in South & Central America?
Published: 01/02/2010
Latin America's tropical rainforests, stunning biodiversity and welcoming people are just some of the things that make volunteering there a life-changing experience
South and Central America is a several thousand mile slice of the wild; an adventure playground for those with a taste for real travelling. A warning though; you must be at least a little adventurous to enjoy this ride! With its head in the tropics it paddles in the cold South Atlantic Ocean to keep itself cool and consequently is the only place on Earth where you can capture glaciers and rainforests on the same camera film.
South and Central America is a rough diamond, desperate to be enjoyed before the hordes of tourist boots flatten its rugged rocks and trample its unbeaten tracks. The area becomes progressively more familiar as you descend, from the unforgiving jungles of the north to the sophisticated cafes in the south via the most diverse landscape on the planet.
Volunteer verdicts
Have a look at what some of our intrepid travellers had to say about volunteering in Central and South America and imagine having a holiday this fun!
"Having an AMAZING time! Monday was my first day at El Puma Ecological Park and since then I have done so much! The monkeys are great! They are like little humans. We play a game where I put stuff in my pockets and they search through them and also lift up my trousers and search my socks. They are ace! One of them was cleaning his water tank with a pine cone today! There are little baby monkeys too and one is particularly crazy and we have fights where we pull each other’s arms through the bars. They copy me when I stick my tongue out and chatter my teeth! Cute. I go in the enclosure and hold them."
Emma Kane, Animal rehabilitation work in Posadas, Argentina
"Again thanks a million for all this and everything else" I have been in the Galapagos Islands for a week now, and I have to say I absolutely LOVE IT HERE! I just wanted to add that I had an absolutely amazing time at Hacienda Jambeli, working with the animals there. All the people there were very welcoming (and patient too despite my poor Spanish!), and a special mention and thanks to Geovanni and Rositta that work there. Rafaela as well was very nice, and often went out of her way to make us feel welcome, both at the centre and in Guayaquil."
Martin Oakes, Conservation work in Ecuador
"I just wanted to drop you a quick email to say I have been having an incredible time with the ninos in the centre they are the most gorgeous children that I have ever had the pleasure of being with! The other Volunteers are wonderful and I already love them like family! Mancora the place is magnificent and the people here are very friendly! Fiorella was here today (she is our in country coordinator) and she is such a lovely person, she does so much off her own back to make sure that everything that the kids need is provided and that everyone is comfortable."
Holly Greig, Community work with special needs children in Peru
"The project is challenging being the first time I ever taught English and being the only English teacher in the school! Though the challenge makes the end of my day worth it! I feel like I accomplish a lot in a half day and just to see the sparkling eyes and the smiles on the children's face makes me feel like I have a purpose and they really appreciate me no matter what I teach them. I love all the children! Even when they are naughty, I want to take them all of them home with me!! So not only am I teaching the children English, they are helping me out with my Spanish!"
Jackqueline Raastad, Teach English at schools or an orphanage in Lima, Peru
"The work is great, rewarding and well worth it here in Chota. So far everything is going well, I have enjoyed the two weeks in Cadmalca, near Chota immensely. It was wonderful to be able to help and see the difference building stoves makes to the people’s lives. I am now at the in Cajamarc and have started painting the houses that the children live in. Already they look brighter and more child friendly. Fiorella, my in-country rep has been and continues to be a great help."
For more information on volunteering and travelling overseas-
Call: 1300 881 590
Visit: http://www.i-to-i.com
