Join us on our child care volunteer placement in Argentina from 2 weeks up to 24 weeks, and use your enduring passion for child care and social development to support the amazing children in a busy community centre in Buenos Aires, providing the care and attention they need to develop into healthy and prosperous young adults.

Child Care in Argentina
Through the persistent social unrest and political instability that is rife in South American countries, many children are forced into living on the streets or in broken homes. Poverty, domestic abuse, illness and disease have resulted in many children across Argentina being left without the support that they need in order to develop into healthy and active young adults. Community Centres, soup kitchens and the hard working staff dedicate their lives to raising these children, giving them the love and support they need, providing them with the things in life that every child needs and deserves. By volunteering your time to help out in a community centre in Buenos Aires, you will play a key role in the children’s lives, providing them with the companionship and support which is vital for their social and educational development.

Your Child Care Volunteer Placement
Working as a member of a team of social workers, your efforts will be directly translated into positive outcomes, whether helping children with their English language skills, or teaching young children through play, the work you do on the community centre will be among the most inspiring and memorable things you can do with your trip overseas. Working closely with the children, you will become a key part of their lives, and actively pave the way for their development into adulthood. 

As many of the children you will work with are from the disadvantaged slum communities in Buenos Aires, they don’t know any English at all or  many have very little ability with the language, so this will be a great opportunity for you to share the skills that you may take for granted as a fluent/native English speaker. As well as teaching English, this placement will provide you with a fantastic opportunity to build on your Spanish language skills, as you are immersed in Buenos Aires life.

Your Child Care Volunteer Role
Your role as a care worker will be based at a local community centre in a suburb of Buenos Aires. The community usually consists of approx. 30 children of mixed ages and from a variety of social backgrounds. Your main duties throughout the day will be teaching English, after school activities, as well as running practical lessons in areas such as art & crafts, sports, drama and cookery, depending on your own personal interests. You will find that the kids will be extremely keen to play games with you, have fun with dressing up and face painting, and pick up new skills from you. You main role will be to give emotional support and being a friend to the children.

Although this a demanding role which would require you to work hard on a daily basis, the rewards are endless when working with children in this capacity. You will have your weekends free to explore the city of Buenos Aires, or travel further afield to other areas of Argentina and take advantage of the amazing natural beauty of this captivating nation. 

CRB/ DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) Check
It is advised that participants complete a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check before joining this project. Changing Worlds can provide this service for you at an additional cost of £30. For more information on the application process please take a look at the relevant Add On tab. 

Gap Year and Career Break Care Work in Argentina
A care work placement in a community centre in Buenos Aires could be the perfect combination of adventure, culture and fulfilling volunteer work. As well as the chance to make a huge difference to the lives of a wide range of amazing children, you can also explore an unknown world, from the astonishing Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian border, to the entrancing landscapes of Patagonia; there is just so much opportunity for a gap year or career break adventure!

Download the Argentina Country Info Brochure - Click Here!

Quick Facts

Trip Name

Child Care Volunteer Project

Trip Code

ARVCW1

Continent

South America

Country

Argentina

Airport

Ezeiza Airport (airport code EZE)

Minimum Duration

2 Weeks

Maximum Duration

12 Weeks

Minimum Age

17

Trip Type

Volunteering

Activity

Care Work

Cost

From £695 for 2 Weeks + £150 per Week

Deposit

£ 195.00

Preferred Duration

We would like volunteers to take part in the placement for as long as possible. This ensures better management of the placement and also helps you get the most from the project's social activities on offer, whilst building strong relationships with the children and local staff. However, it is possible to come for any duration from 2 to 12 weeks.

Pre-requisites

No specific child care experience is required, although it is important that you have a passion for working with children, and a desire to help with the social and personal development of the children in the orphanage. Basic level of Spanish is a requirement. An intermediate level of Spanish would be extremely beneficial.

Ideal for

Care Work and Orphanage Work and Placements in South America; Child Care and Activity Breaks in Argentina; Orphanage Placements for Gap Years and Career Breaks in South America; and Student Summer Holiday Placements.

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Arrival Dates

You can arrive any 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 until the end of Jan (approx 3 weeks).
- There are no trips running in Feb.
- Mid Jul to 1st week in Aug - school winter holidays - no morning sessions
- 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 by clicking here.

• • •

Included

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided on the orphanage site. Basic but comfortable; Shared rooms; Shared kitchen; Shared toilet / shower facilities; shared with other volunteers.

Food

You will receive breakfast each morning at your accommodation.

Airport Pick-Up

Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early.

Training

Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support

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

Donation

Part of your fee is put forward as a donation to the orphanage to help support they work they do with the children who live there, and in the local community. We would also encourage you to bring any old clothes, games, toys or sports kit you don't want, subject to your weight allowance!

Equipment and Medical Discounts

Changing Worlds customers will receive 10% off Travel Equipment, Medical Supplies and Vaccinations from Nomad Travel Store.

• • •

Not Included

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; Lunch and Evening Meal; In country travel; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary.

• • •

Equipment Donation
We believe that in order to develop a long term social project it is crucial the resources are made available to make a positive impact in the local community. Therefore part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in Argentina. You will often get to use this equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead.

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 during your sports project. The school offers groups lessons and 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 school also incorporates a number of social and cultural activities into your learning. This will allow you to really discover the local cuisine, traditional dancing and cultural experiences in the city, as well as building good friendships with your teachers and other participants on the course.

The language school runs lessons for 4 hours in the morning. You can therefore attend lessons during the morning and work at the volunteer placement during the afternoon. 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.

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 characterisctic will easily help you to meet likeminded people who are passionate about volunteering, and love travelling. Therefore, 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!

Accommodation
You will either be placed in our shared house/student residence in central Buenos Aires, living with the other volunteers who are in-country at the time, and will travel each day by public transport to your project location. The accommodation is a large shared hostel style building with all amenities either on-site or close by, with a shared kitchen for cooking/making your lunch and evening meals, as well as shared bathroom and shower facilities.

CRB/ DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) Check
Participants are advised to complete a CRB check in order to join this project. Changing Worlds has a partnership with a third party organisation that processes all CRB / DBS checks and disclosures on behalf of the Changing Worlds team. The process is extremely straight forward, making all aspects of the check as easy for the applicant as possible. Changing Worlds can provide this service for you at an additional cost of £30. For more information on the application process please take a look at the relevant Add On tab. 
       

Argentina, the second largest country in South America, and is the eighth largest in the world by land area. The climate is one of the most diverse in the world which varies from sub-tropical temperatures in the Patagonian desert to sub-zero temperatures along Cape Horn - one of the world’s most southerly cities, Ushuaia, and the Americas' highest peak, Aconcagua in the Andes to the West of the country.
 
Despite earning headline fame for its economic and political upheavals, Argentina is not to be missed. It's one of South America's most charismatic and passionate countries, and for many visitors the devaluation of the Argentine peso just means even more for your money. Sport plays a huge role in Argentinean society, and those who visit this energetic land will soon start to embrace this sport mad culture.

Quick Facts

Name

Argentine Republic

Location

South America

Bordering Countries

Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay

Capital City

Buenos Aires

Government

Democratic Republican

Population

40 million approx

Language

Spanish

Currency

Peso

Name

Argentine Republic

Poverty

20.6% of population below the poverty line

Main Exports

Agricultural products, minerals, fats & oils

Climate

The climate is one of the most diverse in the world; Buenos Aires and the Pampas are temperate; cold in the winter, hot and humid in the summer; Patagonia is cool in the summer and cold in the winter.

Time Zone

GMT -3

Flag

Fun Facts
• Argentina derives from Argentum, the Latin word for Silver
• The country is the fifth largest producer of wine
• Argentines have the largest consumption of red meat in the World

Travel Highlights
• The fantastic Iguazú Falls, in the north-east corner of the country
• The Nahuel Huapi National Park, in Patagonia in the foothills of the Andes mountains
• El Calafate & The Perito Moreno Glacier, a must when visiting Argentina
• The Ibera Wetlands (or Esteros del Ibera), a nature reserve of 13'000 km2
• The wine regions of Mendoza and Salta are popular tourist destinations

Where is Argentina?
The Argentine Republic is a large, elongated country in the southern part of South America, neighbouring countries being Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay to the north, Uruguay to the north east and Chile to the west. In the east Argentina has a long South Atlantic Ocean coastline.
 
History of Argentina
Argentina was relatively sparsely populated until the period of European colonisation and archaeological history is relied upon to tell us about the indigenous population. Evidence suggests the first human settlements in Patagonia by the tribes known as Tehuelches around 13,000 years ago while the Diaguita of northwestern Argentina lived on the edges of the expanding Inca Empire. Europeans arrived in the region with the 1502 voyage of Amerigo Vespucci. Spanish navigator Juan Diaz de Solias visited what is now Argentina in 1516. Spain established a permanent colony on the site of Buenos Aires in 1580, although initial settlement was primarily overland from Peru. The Spanish further integrated Argentina into their empire by establishing the Vice Royalty of Rio de la Plata in 1776, and Buenos Aires became a flourishing port. Buenos Aires formally declared independence from Spain on July 9, 1816. From 1880 to 1930 Argentina became one of the world's 10 wealthiest nations based on rapid expansion of agriculture and foreign investment in infrastructure. However, instability in the government based on corruption and civil war reduced the incoming foreign investments which lead to a huge fiscal deficit and currency devaluation. Despite economic setbacks, Argentina is today a prosperous country, although grass roots sport is yet to be developed, and although they have had their downfalls, they have had many successes as well. Argentineans are proud of their heritage and like to share their scars and achievements with anyone who asks. Not to mention that they are also happy to play soccer as long as you show an interest and have athletic feet to keep up. This is a vibrant country to volunteer in and is sure to leave lasting memories.

Climate in Argentina
Argentina’s sheer size and rich Flora, Fauna and varied terrain means the climate varies hugely from region to region. The north is subtropical, and in southern Patagonia it is sub-Antarctic, whilst in The Pampas the climate is mild and humid.
 
Language in Argentina
The official language of Argentina is Spanish, with the prominent regional dialect Rioplantense. Other spoken languages are English, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Russian, Polish and even a few places in Patagonia have native Welsh speakers.
 
Food in Argentina
Continental dishes such as pasta, sausage and dessert dishes are popular in Argentina. They also enjoy a wide variety of indigenous dishes which include empanadas (a stuffed pastry), locro (a mixture of corn, beans, meat, bacon, onion, and gourd), humitas and yerba mate, all originally indigenous Amerindian staples, the latter considered Argentina's national beverage.
 
The Argentine barbecue, asado as well as a parrillada, includes various types of meats, among them chorizo, sweetbread, chitterlings, and morcilla (blood sausage). Sandwiches de miga, are also popular. Argentines have the highest consumption of red meat in the world.
   
Festivals in Argentina
The Gualeguaychu Carnival bridges January and February. This is one of the biggest festivals in Argentina, involves street music, dancing and colourful costumes, and is likened to the Mardi gras festivals of Rio de Janeiro. The Buenos Aires Tango Festival celebrates the city as the birthplace of Tango with big performances and free lessons. The major Argentinean music festival ‘Personal Fest’ takes place at the Club Ciudad de Buenos Aires; it is considered the most important international music festival in the country, with national and international bands playing rock, pop, funk, dance, and others.
 
Travelling in Argentina
Walking: Buenos Aires is known as a great place for walking, you can combine bus & subway rides with walks through the streets to make the most of the city. If you get lost you will receive help from the locals, the friendly ‘porteños’ and some advice on the best things to check out.

Taxis: Buenos Aires has an excellent Taxi Service, (with around 32,000), you will wait only a few minutes to get a taxi in the touristic areas. Taxis are painted yellow on the roof and black on the rest, a taxi is available when a red light in the inside is on and/or says LIBRE, the fare is metered in Argentinean pesos by the time and the distance travelled, rates are established by the Municipality and should not change from day to night.

Urban Buses: known as ‘Colectivos’ they are a fast and inexpensive means of transportation around the city. Over 180 bus lines operate 24 hours each day, the fare is paid directly to the driver or into a machine at the front of the bus (this must be paid by coins only). These take some getting used to but are a good way of seeing Buenos Aires at low cost.

Subway: also called the ‘Subte’ is the quickest and easiest means of transportation around the city, but can be uncomfortable especially in the heat of the summer. It is reliable and punctual. For longer journeys, Argentina has a reliable railway service on lines that are open. A lot of lines are still to be laid. The most popular route is from Buenos Aires to Mar del Plata. The rail option is half the price of the longer bus journeys, but there is much more option if travelling longer distances by bus.
 
Sport in Argentina
South America has a wealth of sporting talent. You only need mention the national football teams of Brazil, Argentina and Mexico to realise the skill, flair and passion for sport on the South America continent.The national football team has won 25 major international titles including two FIFA World Cups, two Olympic gold medals and fourteen Copa Américas. Football is the most popular sport and if you are in Buenos Aires on the day of the local Derby you are likely to be asked “Boca or River?” as the Porteños assume that everybody is interested in football. Many young Porteños dream of representing their country, and with recent history it is not difficult to understand why. Argentina won both Basket and football Olympic gold medal in Athens 2004.

Other sports are quickly developing with the Women’s Field Hockey team winning the Hockey World Cup in 2002 and came third in 2006. Tennis was once a sport reserved for the wealthy until the Argentinean Guillermo Vilas did well in international competitions. Now it is played by young people throughout the country.

Gap Years and Career Breaks in Argentina
In this sport mad country, whether you are into sports or not, you will soon find that you will become engulfed by the passion that surrounds the events that dictate the lives of Argentina’s welcoming people. Argentina has so much to offer in the way of travel opportunities, so take the plunge to South America and see what this fantastic nation can offer you on your gap year or career break.

Some people find the concept of paying to volunteer a bit strange. The truth is you don’t actually pay for your volunteer placement. That part is free. Your money goes on all the other benefits around it.
 
Placement Assessment
Before you see a placement on our website, a lot of background work has gone on. We have met with local organisations, vetted in-country staff, conducted rigorous safety assessments and thoroughly evaluated the benefits of the placement, both for you and the community. Only then do you get to see the placement on our website and book your place, safe in the knowledge that it is well-structured and beneficial to the local community.
 
Help Choosing Your Placement
If you are not sure which placement or country to choose, our hugely informative Travel Advisors are here to help. They are a friendly bunch, have all travelled extensively and can offer lots of advice on choosing the right placement for you. This makes the task of deciding to volunteer in a foreign country much less intimidating, and far more exciting.
 
Pre-departure Advice
Once you have booked your placement, you will be assigned a dedicated Travel Advisor to offer essential pre-departure advice on vaccinations, visas, kit lists and more. They will also be on call to answer those important last minute questions like “how many pairs of socks do I need?” and “can I take my mobile phone with me?”
 
Help with Flights and Insurance
We do not include flights and travel insurance in our placement fee. This avoids us having to pass on unnecessary admin charges to you. It also gives you flexibility to plan any further travel before or after your volunteer placement. We do, however, offer lots of help on this through our leading flights and insurance partners, providing you with an easy booking facility and the best prices around.
 
Airport Pick-Up
Landing in a foreign country for the first time can be daunting. This is why we ensure our in-country staff are there to meet you on arrival. There’s nothing like seeing a friendly face when you walk out of a new airport. And once we have given you a warm welcome, the in-country staff will take you back to your accommodation where you can meet the rest of the team and other volunteers.
 
Arrival Orientation
We will take you through a local orientation and placement induction on arrival. This will introduce you to any useful amenities and local customs, and it will also show you how to stay safe while volunteering abroad. Our team also have lots of handy travel tips and advice if you are thinking of exploring the country in your spare time.
 
Accommodation and Food
Accommodation is included in all of our placements. Our volunteer houses, family home-stays and shared residences are comfortable and very sociable places to live while overseas. In some destinations, you may be able to upgrade to alternative accommodation. Just contact us for details. We endeavour to supply food on all of our placements, however in some cases this is not always possible. In many cases you will receive at least 1 meal a day, please see the project summary for further details.  
 
In-Country Staff
Your safety and enjoyment is extremely important to us. That’s why we have dedicated in-country teams to look after you throughout your placement. Our staff live nearby, can be reached 24-hours a day and will check-in with you throughout your placement to ensure everything is running smoothly, and you are happy in your new environment.
 
24-Hour Emergency Support
In addition to our in-country staff, you will benefit from our international support network. You will be given emergency contact details before you leave which you can call in the event of a crisis. We are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 
Ongoing Project Support
For every volunteer who travels with us, we make a donation to support the work you do in-country. This donation funds future initiatives in the countries and supports the local community, ensuring that those living in disadvantaged communities also have opportunities to develop.

Recruiting More Volunteers
In order to provide a reliable flow of volunteers to our placements overseas, we have to spend a chunk of money on recruiting people like you. Our projects simply wouldn’t survive if we didn’t. It costs to maintain a website, an office, phone lines and a team of dedicated Travel Advisors to answer all your questions!

There are quite a few things to consider and to organise before you travel to your chosen destination to take part in your trip or tour with us.

Flights and Insurance
Flights and insurance are not included on your placement which means you will have to arrange them before you leave. But don't panic, this is simpler than you may think! To make life much easier for you, we offer a free, personal booking service through our chosen flights and insurance partner – StudentUniverse, part of Flight Centre. They will guide you every step of the way.

Please only use this service here and do not go into one of their branches as this can complicate things for us.

Browse or book flights using our search engine. Click here to access it.

Alternatively you can call them on 03300 585032 and mention you are considering or are going away with Changing Worlds and let them do the hard work. They will also be able to provide you with adequate travel insurance.

Travelling after your trip with us? Need a round-the-world ticket? Not a problem... just discuss this with them too.

Why are flights not included?
By not including flights in our trips and tours, it avoids us having to pass on unnecessary admin charges to you. This keeps the cost of your trip lower and also means you have the freedom to search around for the lowest fares and most flexible tickets that fit your travel plans. It also means you can benefit from the expertise of our preferred partner.

What happens when flights and insurance are booked?
When you book any trip with us, you will gain access to our online Travel Centre, personalised for you. In here you will have all the information about your trip and how to plan for it, including the contact details for our in-country team and address you will be staying at.

There are also some forms we need you to complete before you depart, covering areas like your dietary requirements, next-of-kin, medical information, flight arrivals details and more.

Do I really need travel insurance?
We take the safety of our travellers very seriously. You must therefore book adequate travel insurance before you come away with us – you simply won’t be able to participate in your trip or tour if you don’t. Although policies vary, your insurance must include emergency medical expenses, personal accident cover, and repatriation. We also recommend that you book baggage, personal liability and cancellation cover.

Visas
Some of the countries where we work will require you to have a visa. We provide guidance for this against the Trip Summary tab so you can check whether your nationality requires it. If a visa is required we will provide a letter of invitation, if the embassy requests this, as well as all the relevant information you will need to complete the visa application process. This information is provided after you book with us. With all visa applications it is important that you have sufficient space available in your passport for the relevant visas required for your travels, and that your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned date of return.

Please note we have no control over the issuing of visas and this is at the embassies discretion. We will help wherever possible though.

Vaccinations
At least 6 – 8 weeks before your chosen travel date you should visit your local GP or Nomad Travel Clinic to discuss your vaccination and medication requirements. Your medical professional will be able to advise you of any recommended and required vaccinations for your chosen destination(s).You should inform your doctor of all of your destination countries, and what activities you plan on doing, and in which regions you plan to stay while you are there, as different regions and activities have different health risks in some countries.

Some destination countries will require you to produce a certificate of vaccination in order to enter the country, so be sure that you understand any vaccination requirements for your chosen destination, so that you do not have any issues when passing through customs.

Above all you should make sure you are well prepared for your travels, so that you have the best experience possible whilst overseas!

Speak To Us
If you have any questions or would like some more information, simply contact one of our friendly Travel Advisors. They will answer any queries you have and tell you what it’s really like to be a volunteer sports coach overseas. You can give us a call, request a call back or drop us an email.
 
Book Your Place
Once you have decided to volunteer with us, you can secure your place by paying a small deposit. You will then be able to pay the rest of your project fee in easy-to-manage instalments.
 
Welcome Pack
Once we have received your deposit, we will send you a welcome email confirming your booking. This will contain your personal login details for your Travel Centre – an online account full of useful information about your destination, you chosen project and all the things you need to do before you depart.
 
Personal Information
We will ask you to provide some key information to help us create the best volunteer experience for you, such as medical and dietary requirements, any previous coaching you have done, and what you’re hoping to get out of your time abroad. We may also ask you to complete a police background check.
 
Flights and Insurance
You will need to book your flights and travel insurance before you leave, and then provide us with these details. We do not include flights and insurance in the project fee (to avoid passing on extra admin costs to you) but our partners will help you find the best options around.
 
Visas and Vaccinations
Next you will need to get your vaccinations and visas for your project. Your travel nurse or local doctor will tell you exactly what you need. We will also provide you with lots of information to make obtaining your visa very straightforward.
 
Final Payment
We will ask you for your final payment 90 days before your scheduled departure date. Once paid, you will be ready to pack your bags, grab your passport and get on the plane
 
Orientation
Our in-country team will give you a warm welcome at the overseas airport before taking you to your accommodation. You will then receive a comprehensive orientation to help you settle in to the country and prepare you for your project.

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