Volunteers

The AMIGOS program attracts some of the top high-school and college students in each community. We define "top" not necessarily by grades, but by level of overall maturity, community service mindedness, willingness to be trained, cultural sensitivities, leadership potential, and more. Here's some information in common areas of interest:

What makes AMIGOS so great? We give young people an opportunity to discover new cultures, explore interests, develop independence and make positive difference in the world. AMIGOS trains youth to meet the challenges of conducting community service with confidence and cultural sensitivity, both in their home communities and in Latin America.

AMIGOS empowers young people to take leadership roles in carrying out community service projects. Outstanding volunteers climb the leadership ladder by applying to return in following summers as members of the Latin American Project Staff.

AMIGOS partners with international development agencies such as CARE, Save the Children and Plan International, as well as with local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, and clinics. These partnerships help ensure projects continue after AMIGOS volunteers leave.

Our volunteers have the experience of a lifetime living in a Latin American community for up to eight weeks. Projects typically run from mid-June to mid-August.

AMIGOS host countries are: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Paraguay.

Teams made up of two or three AMIGOS partners work in close collaboration with community members on projects such as:

Community health and education: child wellness, dental hygiene and disease prevention through construction of latrines and other home health improvements
Environment: community gardens, fuel-efficient stove construction and reforestation
Community-building: libraries, mural painting and other activities identified by local communities

What’s the training all about?

AMIGOS volunteers complete comprehensive training programs, either through their local chapter or the Correspondent Volunteer Program. Training continues when volunteers arrive in Latin America. Training covers topics such as:

Building relationships among diverse cultures Spanish or Portuguese language
Latin American geography, history and politics
Problem solving and program planning
Interpersonal relations and communication
Technical information for community health and development projects

How much does it cost to participate?

Current price information is available from the AMIGOS International Office or from your local chapter. The program fee covers: round-trip international airfare from the gateway city, food, lodging and transportation in Latin America, training materials and workshops, supplemental short-term international medical insurance, project supplies and supervision, year-round professional staff support, and emergency communications while in Latin America. Additional expenses include immunizations, medical examinations, passport/visa fees and airfare to the gateway city.

AMIGOS encourages fundraising to help pay the participation fee. Financial assistance is provided through scholarships and chapters’ fundraising activities.

Are there health and Safety risks?

Maintaining the health and safety of volunteers is our top priority. AMIGOS has a long history of ensuring the well-being of volunteers and provides comprehensive training, safety plans, medical consultation and communication systems to minimize risk in Latin America.

How do I volunteer?

AMIGOS actively promotes diversity and welcomes everyone to apply. Volunteers must:

be at least 16 years old by June 1st
have completed the sophomore year of high school before beginning the project in Latin America and
have completed at least two years of high school Spanish or Portuguese, or have an equivalent level of fluency.

Introductory meetings are generally conducted in High School Spanish classes in late summer of each year. Informational meetings, for both parents and potential volunteers are usually conducted throughout September and early October. Volunteers who are accepted in the fall begin training in late October up until departure the following year. See our "Learn More" page for more details!

For more information, or to inquire about scheduling a speaker for an introductory meeting, please contact us.

2007-2008 Amigos de las Américas - Santa Clara Valley Chapter

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