Volunteering and Internship
Help For The Andes Foundation
We support long term development assistance and services all year round through short-term volunteer teams involved with underprivileged children, the elderly, blind communities etc. in classroom support, English classes, sports, music, painting and arts, as well as teaching them universal moral values.
The aim of the initiative is to integrate university students in this initiative which will enhance the quality of life for disadvantaged individuals and communities in Chile, providing the student with the opportunity to put their expertise in the fields of development, strategic management, leadership and economics to practical use.
If you are interested in participate in these activities, write us at: info@helpfortheandes.org
Letter from one of our volunteers while in Chile, Sophie Horton (English)
There is a need of an Educational Development campaign to work with children in local schools and orphanages with the aim of improving their living conditions and eventually eliminating poverty in Chile through health and education programs.
In March 2011, President of Chile Sebastián Piñera met with President of the United States Barack Obama to talk about the bilateral relationship between Chile and the United States and tackled the issue of education. A top priority was to strengthen the teaching of English in Chilean public schools, since Chile is still far from reaching international standards due to a lack of professionals and resources. Whilst English is taught in most Chilean private schools from kindergarten, it is only mandatory in public schools from the fifth grade. Experts say that children who speak a second language excel due to their increased vocabulary and higher understanding of their own language, resulting in higher grades and a more successful career.
In order to eliminate poverty, it is imperative that those who attend Chilean public schools have the same opportunities in education and employment as private school students. By integrating a university student into local public schools and orphanages to teach English, this campaign will promote the English language as a path to escape poverty by heightening the future employability of today’s children and opening doors for their future.
Similarly, the problem of obesity has surfaced in recent years in Chile; according to recent surveys, 22% of the Chilean adult population is obese and 71% never partakes in physical activity. The obesity level is much higher in women than men, particularly those from a low socioeconomic class, perhaps due to the consumption of products, which are cheaper but less nutritious, and a lack of education about the benefits of eating healthily and exercising regularly. As a consequence, 18% of school children in Chile are obese, and this risk to their health not only puts their life expectancy in jeopardy, but also represents an economic burden on society.
I believe that it is necessary to work with the children of today in order to combat the problems of tomorrow. Having experienced volunteers on physical and health education schools or universities, the students will be able to pass on the knowledge and enthusiasm for healthy living to children and educators. Just a few hours per week would suffice to teach children of the benefits of playing sports, eating sensibly and avoiding future health risks, providing these children with access to education, which their parents may never have had.
In addition to these health and education programs, universities students could teach the children about their own field, raising issues in the classroom such as human rights, the environment and sustainability, and peace and conflict resolution. By organizing trips and projects to help the local environment and encourage volunteer work amongst the youth, the students would develop the children’s awareness of the problems that are keeping us from eliminating poverty, and encourage the next generation to do something about it.
You can help our programs grow!