Virtual Volunteer Work

Virtual Volunteer Work

by | Mar 1, 2021 | PROJECTS

VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER WORK:

A NEW PROJECT FOR 2021, Volunteers will be able to help from their own homecountry. 

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Project: Virtual Volunteer Work

Areas: Schools, Youth Centre

Audience: School Children from 7 to 12, Youth from 13 to 17

Language Skills: at least Basic Level of Spanish

Skill: English, Math, Arts, Music, Science

Hours: 1 or 2 per day

From 10 hours 

Allowance: USD$50 for 10 hours

Donations: Donations for the projects can be accepted please ask us how.

Requirements: Photocopy of passport, Police Check, 1 written reference, CV, there is no need to be a teacher to help in this project, but if the volunteer has the qualifications it will be a plus.

Platform: Zoom

Virtual Volunteer Work Colombia
Volunteer Work Offers an opportunity to help from the volunteers homecountry

WHY TO PAY FOR VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING?

The funds we receive from volunteers is used:

To pay the internet for those students that do not have access to the internet for their lessons

To pay to rent all the media kit and the salon when it is for groups

To pay to have a supervisor on-site while the lessons take part

Without this help it won’t be viable to support children’s education process in this time. 

Virtual Volunteer Work

  1. There has been a long way to come to this initiative to help and support the Teaching project virtually at the Schools and Youth Centres. The aim is to continue the learning process through internet and reach more children with this technology. We know it will be a huge challenge for all of us but at the moment due to the current pandemic situation this is the safest way of volunteering and learning. So let’s get enthusiastic and make of our enclosed time something to make a difference and leave a print. Volunteers can help with teaching English, arts, maths, science or music. Choose your hours and weeks and let’s do it.    

 

The Virtual Work Procedure

Volunteer made contact with Volunteer in Colombia

Volunteer in Colombia will send the application form

The volunteer will sent the sign app form plus the required documentation

Once the volunteer is accepted in the program we will discuss the topic to be taught at the school through virtual room

The volunteer will organize and prepare the lessons and send the proposal to the organization to be approved specifying what kind of stuff the children need for the lesson

Once the volunteer proposal is received it will need to be accepted by the school and the organization

Once is accepted by the school we discuss with the volunteer hours and days for work

Volunteer in Colombia will organize the virtual room for the volunteers to get into with the classroom

There will be always a supervisor if questions arise. They will be send to the volunteer through zoom to be answer, the supervisor is an English and Spanish speaker.

The duration of the lesson will be from 1 to 2 hours according with the volunteers plans every day, the audience will be children from 7 to 12 or 13 to 17 years.

At the end of the program children will have a small test or quiz of what they have learnt.

HOW COULD YOU HELP AT THE AGRICULTURE PROJECT?

Applying NOW  or making a donation. The choice is yours…

make a difference for our community.

FAQ

by | Nov 6, 2019 | FAQ

FAQ

Here you will find the answers for many of your questions. However, please do not hesitate to contact us directly if not all your questions are answered.

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How safe is the local area?
It is safe and our volunteers have only had positive experiences. Public transport is frequent and easy to use.

How safe is it in Colombia?
Of course, some places can be dangerous, as well as anywhere else in the world. Therefore, it is important to be knowledgeable about your surroundings in advance. Here are some of our recommendations:

When you are in the big cities, we advise that you should not be out in the dark or on the streets alone. Always keep an eye on your things, pickpockets exist all over the world. If there is any social instability or political unrest in Colombia we will advise you in advance to re-schedule your trip but as always you should visit your country’s Foreign affairs advice office on Colombia.

volunteer-In-Colombia-healthbutton

Do I need travel insurance?

It is strongly recommended to take out travel cancellation insurance and insurance to cover the costs of repatriation in case of accident or illness. We advise you to check – also concerning risk exclusions of already existing insurance – and to take advantage of all the available insurance options, medical, travel and accident insurance.

What happened if I get unwell while volunteering?

If you are sick whilst volunteering the staff at the Volunteer in Colombia will know where to take you. You will receive information on this on your induction day. And of course, you need to bring an insurance policy where if necessary they can fly you back home. Volunteer in Colombia will be able to liaise with the medical professionals, insurance company and family in the meantime. Most of the time volunteers get sick due to eating food sold in the streets and some restaurants that do not comply with the same health and safety standards, bear in mind that in most undeveloped countries Health and food hygiene is not the same as your home country.

Can I travel while volunteering?

Weekends are free for sightseeing, you will have a variety of options. One, You can go on a day trip with the organization. Second, most of the times volunteers make and plan a group trip to the local places of interest by themselves, you can go to the Things to do to read more. Also after your volunteer program ended you can go anywhere in Colombia. This is why is highly recommended to bring full accident and medical and travel insurance. As an organization, we can not be responsible and can not be liable for any incident or accident while you are a volunteer or in Colombia.

What do I have to take?

Once you have completed your booking, you will receive a pre-information pack from us. There you will be advised about what you should take with you. But bare in mind we can only give you an idea.

Which languages do I need to speak?

In order to participate, we require a basic knowledge of Spanish, is a prerequisite for volunteering and is essential so that you will be able to communicate with the locals and members of the staff. Knowledge of English is not a requirement but makes communication much easier as the coordinator Speaks English and can help with translations.

Can I contact previous volunteers?

You can read our testimonies on the website but if that is not enough we can help you to get in touch with some. Bare in mind that we do not post every single volunteer testimony we will post some regularly.

What do I need to consider when booking a flight?

The flights are not included in the price of the offered service. If possible please book the flight to arrive on a Saturday, so that we can do the introduction on Sunday and you can start working on Monday. It is not compulsory just a suggestion but it will help us with the organization. Keep in mind the peak and plate day in Colombia to transit which means we can only drive cars according with the number plate and date in case we pick you up at the Airport.

Do I need to apply for a visa?

For some countries, you get a tourist visa issued for 90 days upon arrival. Then you can extend the visa, for example, in Bogotá for another 90 days. We do not provide any documentation to get your visa prior to apply for your volunteering program. Please visit the Colombian Consulate website in your country for more information.

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Which vaccinations do I need?
Your routine vaccines should all be up to date, including Covid-19 vaccines. However, we recommend that you visit your doctor or a consultant before planning your trip. Please, also visit the Colombian Consulate website for more information, your Health Office for recommendations or The Colombian Health Minister for more information.

What happened next?
If you have already decided then please fill the application form and send it with the required documents for our perusal and review, and choose a date for a skype meeting.

What if my question is not here?
If you have more questions we will answer them all in our one-to-one interview by skype, or send us an email, we will be happy to answer any query. You will have a pre-information pack after your application with some more information.

Please read our terms and conditions, privacy policy and projects overview before applying.

SPECIAL NEEDS

SPECIAL NEEDS

by | Jul 19, 2018 | PROJECTS

SPECIAL NEEDS PROJECT

With the right support and intervention children and adults with learning disabilities at the special needs centre can succeed in school and go on to successful careers and jobs.  

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SPECIAL NEEDS PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Special needs centre project

In Colombia children and adults with learning disabilities and special needs are care by their parents or relatives. Little is known about how they grow up or how much they were involved in society as parents choose to keep them away from the eyes of people. Now day’s things have been changing for children and adults  with special needs as there is more involvement in society and children and adult with special needs and learning disabilities no longer need to be hidden from the rest of the world for their condition but we still suffering with understaffed to support and help with their needs.

A level of education in special needs will be a handful to teach people with learning disabilities and special needs to become more independent and to communicate more efficiently, also to socialize. The Special Needs Center helps children and adults with activities, therapies, sports and entertainment so they have a safe place to stay or to learn while their parents arrive from work.

With the support of parents, staff and volunteers we can encourage their strengths, knowing their weaknesses and learning new strategies to deal with specific difficulties. Volunteers in this programe will be able to help with research, cultural activities and entertainment. Teaching craft, drawing, singing, dancing,  sports, reading, writing, reasoning, and organizing.

A can do attitude and a lot of initiative to work as part of a team and/or alone it is very necessary. The Centre is open everyday from 8 am to 5 pm. 

Please read our terms and conditions, privacy policy and projects overview before applying.

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SPECIAL NEEDS PROJECT PHOTO GALLERY

Special Needs project in Colombia fitness day
Special Needs in Colombia, Maths Lesson
Special Needs ,Table games
Special Needs project in Colombia, sports day
Learning Disabilities Social Project

VOLUNTEER IN COLOMBIA : HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Apply to one of our volunteer projects or make a donation. The choice is yours…

Let’s make a difference for one community.  See the available projects below:

Testimonies

Testimonies

by | Jul 6, 2018 | testimonios

TESTIMONIES

TESTIMONIES ARE A GREAT WAY TO TELL NEW APPLICANTS ABOUT OUR VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES.

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TESTIMONY ROLF

I had a very intensive experience working for six weeks on sugar cane farms and in the Permaculture garden in this beautiful landscape. Key to this was not only the projects itself but the close interaction with the project leader and her family in everyday life. In the beautiful guest house I found everything I needed to enjoy every day.

I enjoy long evenings outside writing my dairy or just watching the stars and garden. We spent a wonderful time over Christmas and New Year’s eve. I was happy to be there for Mrs Lola’s 80 Birthday, some real original experiences. What impressed me most about the farm work was the artisanal traditions of more than 100 years of history are preserved.

Life is really rural and basic and collides with the modern world. I learn all about sugar cane and the artisanal processing into Panela a rock of sugar use to make a traditional hot drink.

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Testimony from a volunteer Rolf

TESTIMONY JOHANNA

During our trip in Latin America, my boyfriend and I found the founder of the Volunteer In Colombia Organization where, we stopped three weeks in the village of San Javier. As I am a nurse, I have been proposed to do a volunteer job at the hospital of the Town of La Mesa. Extremely well received despite not having a very concrete proposal only my desire to offer my help.

The Head of Nursing, proposed me to integrate the team of the obstetric gynecology service, to look for the differences between the two countries and perhaps the possible faults. First, it was a surprise to me, to discover a new method of formidable and rare care performed by trained personnel to do Doula. I have attended the reception and accompaniment interviews given by the psychotherapist. Observe the physical preparation technique for childbirth and enrich myself with a new and exciting experience.

Second, In the last week I have given a large number of hospital staff training for about one hour for three days in a room assigned for this purpose using a video projector. This has left me immense satisfaction in the exchange, which was my theoretical contribution against a gift of personal discovery. A pleasure to teach that gives birth to the idea of ​​a future professional evolution.

I also attended the last days at the Village School. I want to thank the entire service team and the hospital staff in particular and with affection the chief nurse and the organizer of project the Blanca Usuga, for having so much enthusiasm and love for me, thanks to this person I not only found an interesting learning but also an unforgettable human experience, rich with positive emotions.

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Testimonial Johanna

TESTIMONY NICOLAS

For three weeks it was a shared pleasure. The cooperation with Professor Daza was intuitive at the pedagogical level of class preparation until notation as at the personal level. The students seemed very motivated in the realization of artistic activities, they have done Land art and theater games in their free time.

The non-violent communication training was adapted in the school that, like all the institutions in the world, are damaged by sources of verbal, physical or psychological violence.

The students asked the rector if they could organize a flag hoist to thank for my work, and when he accepted they organized everything in an autonomous way, with hymns, songs and speeches.

In addition to volunteering I have shared a lot of time with Blanca Usuga and I have developed my art skills with her mother who paints very well, and shares her activities with the volunteers of the organization.

I want to thank the pedagogical team of the San Javier school, and particularly Professor Daza for his professionalism and smiles. Many thanks also to the students who participated seriously and creatively in the classes. And I want to thank Blanca Usuga and her mother Lola for the generosity they express with the volunteers and with the villagers.

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Testimonial Nicolas

TESTIMONY MILAN

For 6 weeks I had the great opportunity to volunteer in agriculture in the Volunteer in Colombia project. The objective was to work and help the Romero Family in their sugar cane farm. There I not only had the opportunity to learn everything about sugarcane, I also learned techniques to make bocachi fertilizer, which we then taught the family to improve their crops.

With the Romero Family prepare the mill for grinding, in which the cane must be cut, loaded in mules to the area of ​​the mill, organize, grind, cook, mold the panela, bag the panela, seal the bag, pack the panela in Cardboard boxes and leave them ready for sale, clean the area of ​​the mill after finishing the first milling and sowing new seeds.

Also, it was a great experience to be, develop and help in all stages of the production of a poster dedicated to the production of Bocachi fertilizer. Spend full time creating this one, including research in the library and search the print site. In total, 15 posters were produced which were distributed to all producers that are in the Sugarcane program.

I had the opportunity to help in the Youth Centre to prepare the children’s Christmas, organizing the room to serve the food that the children provided for a sharing event, help organize a toy house to store the children’s gifts and to be pending for children while playing during the event.

I took the time to learn and investigate how to make organic fertilizers and insecticides, including theory about Zero Badget Farming, where I learned about the benefits of the NEEM tree. After meeting him, we began a search in Colombia to obtain two which were sown.

I Participate in all the Christmas and New Year activities among which are found, the decoration of the house, Christmas shopping, food shopping to prepare the Christmas dinner, help prepare and cook for both events Christmas and New Year family party.

Also, I Participate in the trips. In conclusion for me it was a learning and collaboration experience that today has been the motivation to start a career and now I am the administrator of a sustainable agriculture project in my community in Germany.

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Testimonial Milan. Volunteer in Colombia

TESTIMONY SASKIA & JAN

We enjoyed our time with Blanca, her mother, dog and cat and the whole society in La Mesa very much.

When we were sitting in the air plane to Bogota our feelings were diverse. We will be part of a social project that is 9.189 km away from home – in a culture that we heard about a lot before our trip. A culture that seemed to be completely different to our home-country Germany. But as we saw Blanca who was waiting for us in the pick-up area of the airport we felt warmheartedly welcomed from the very first second. Blanca is fluently in English and a very open-minded person. Due to the fact that she spent several months in UK for studying, she knows the difference between the European and Colombian culture. Therefore, we did not hesitate to ask her everything that came into our mind and that we did not understand.

Before our first day at the social project, Blanca supported us with developing a plan of what we could do with the kids in school (especially because our Spanish level was very low). At the first day of school Blanca introduced us to the headteacher and told her what we would like to do with the kids. The head-teacher and especially the kids were very nice and friendly.

During the breaks and even in the afternoon in the youth-center the kids were interested in everything we did and told them. As we do not have a teaching-background we decided to teach only small groups of 5 to 10 kids. We sang English songs and learned some vocabularies in school.

For lunch we experienced several restaurants in the center of La Mesa. We tried different traditional Columbian food and sometimes we also enjoyed a nice Italian pizza or we explored the traditional food-market.

In the afternoon, we played with the kids in the Youth Center. The Youth Center is well equipped so that there are different activities every day. There is a room with a beamer, where we loved to dance with the kids typical South-American rhythms. Also, we trained them with several skills in the computer-room, went out for kite-flying, played chess, did painting lessons or played football. All in all, there is nothing that you cannot do at the Youth Center.

After the youth center, we were very exhausted but happy. Hence, we headed back home where Blanca always prepared a nice dinner (also vegetarian) and her mother was waiting for us to beat us in Memory or Tetris. The evenings together with Blanca and her mother were absolutely one of our highlights. This time, we learned a lot about Columbian history, the transformation of the country within the last years, the food and the environment.

As the environment in and around La Mesa is so nice and juicy-green, we spent the weekends in the nature. We took the challenge to hike up to the top of the mountains – the dog (Niño) guided us all the way up and down (although it was not the direct way 😉) or we went to very nice waterfalls together with Blanca.

All in all, we loved to work with the kids and we loved to be hosted by Blanca and her mother. Finally, we would say: It does not matter how long you stay, your experience will last a lifetime.

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Volunteer in Colombia Testimony. Feedback. Review
FARMING

FARMING

by | Jun 29, 2018 | PROJECTS

FARMING PROJECT:

Farming in Colombia is in decline and we need to act now to help the farmers keep farming alive.

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FARMING PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Join this rewarding FARMING project and learn first hand from farmers

Volunteers in this farming project, will be involved in all areas of the coffee and sugar cane production. Learning, first hand from the local farmers, and immersing in the community life while supporting farming with new ideas and sharing knowledge.

La Mesa, Cundinamarca is one of the main Colombian Coffee and Sugar cane producers that belong to the Tequendama Region in Colombia. With more than 1000 small, medium and big size farms, farmers now days are struggling a lot to find human resources to help with daily tasks in their farms. 

Due to this problem, most of them have big losses every year making the cost of coffee and sugar cane increase. Most of them have decided not to carry on farming due to:  illnesses, age, and lack of resources, many have been abandon by relatives and children, and cannot carry on working the land. To keep farming alive we need volunteers to give them a hand to motivate and impulse the need for farmers efforts in to feeding the world.

Coffee Farms :

Volunteers will be involved from cleaning the land, nursery, sown, harvesting, pulping, drying, selection of the coffee beans and packing to be sent to next processing area.

Sugar Cane Farms:

Volunteers will be helping with cleaning the land, cutting sugar cane, transporting sugar cane by mules to the mill, packing the panela to be sold and other daily tasks.

General Farming:

Volunteers will be helping with the creation of a sustainable farm which will be the pilot to recreate in the area. This is a very important  part of the farming project, and volunteers will be of a great help.

Why to volunteer in the FARMING PROJECT?

The farming project can be very rewarding.  With the right help, farmers will be motivated to carry on and the environment will benefit. By making sure the land and plantations are well look after and by applying new techniques, they can learn and promote organic and ecological agriculture. With the time, change the artisanal way of farm management,  improving the quality of their crops, and increasing the production. This will lead to improving their social and economic situation and financial status. 

A can do attitude and a lot of initiative to work as part of a team and/or alone it is very necessary, this is not an easy job but the results will be very fructiferous.

Please read our terms and conditions, privacy policy and projects overview before applying.

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FARMING PROJECT PHOTO GALLERY

Ready to go Harvesting
Sowing Coffe
Testimonial Milan. Volunteer in Colombia
Making Compost
Farming - Compost in Colombia
Packing Compost
Farming - Volunteer working in Permaculture with volunteer in Colombia
Digging & Sowing

VOLUNTEER IN COLOMBIA : HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Apply to one of our volunteer projects or make a donation. The choice is yours…

Let’s make a difference for one community.  See the available projects below: