Volunteer in Argentina

The Road2Argentina Volunteer in Argentina program is designed for people looking for an opportunity to help others in Argentina and improve their Spanish skills in an immersion environment. Road2Argentina’s Volunteer in Argentina program places volunteers at local non-profit organizations, where you will assist in a variety of ongoing projects. In addition, a donation will be made in your name to the volunteer organization.

Volunteer in Buenos Aires & Volunteer in Patagonia Programs

	Placement Durations	Program Dates	Spanish Requirement	Housing Options
Buenos Aires	4 - 16 weeks	Anytime	Basic +	Student Residence, Homestay & Shared Apartment
Patagonia	4 - 16 weeks	November - April	Basic +	Student Residence

Buenos Aires Volunteer Placements

“I've had a phenomenal time. A truly invaluable experience. Working at Casa Vela has been a trying but sweet and rewarding time for me. Thank you for putting on the events that you did and being so readily available to talk and ask questions. It's been an unreal experience that I'll take with me for the rest of my life, and I'm glad that Road was able to help provide that for me.” - Dara P. - Volunteer, 2009

“I was looking for a volunteer program in Buenos Aires, and I researched a lot of different programs but none of them gave you as much freedom to really design your own program as road did. They offer so many volunteer options as well. I really miss the little kids! Everyone at Road was so accessible and there was always someone around to answer my questions.” - Adrian L. - Volunteer, 2009

“Every afternoon began with waking the kids after their naps, putting away sleeping mats, helping the kids put on their shoes, brushing their teeth, and washing their hands. After that we would sing, play games, draw, and play outside in the courtyard. Getting to be a part of these kids lives was rewarding in itself; getting to see them grow and evolve as people, even in the short four months I worked with them, was an incredible experience.” - Danielle S. - Volunteer, 2007

“One of my biggest worries leading into my trip was feeling homesick and missing my friends and family. Thanks to the efforts of the Road2Argentina's staff, those feelings never even came close to surfacing while I was in BA. Road2Argentina matched me up with the perfect host family, provided activities for me to meet and bond with other Road students, and was always available to help me out with any issues that I had.” - Adam G. - Volunteer, 2010

“As for the staff at R2A, they couldn't have been more helpful setting me up with my placements as well as regular social events, be it pizza and drinks on the roof or a city tour. I worked 2 days a week at a private school assisting the English teachers, and 3 days volunteering in the slums of BA. Being about to take part in both these placements meant each week I had the most incredible, contrasting experiences which I shall never forget.” - Vanessa L. - Volunteer, 2010

“My stay in Buenos Aires was absolutely fantastic! I really enjoyed living with my host family -- I learned lots of Spanish from them, and they really helped me get the most out of my stay. My volunteer work was also really fun, and I very much enjoyed working with the kids in the villas. I always left wishing that I could stay longer! Argentina has been really good to me, and I'm really not sure that I'm going to be ready to go home any time soon.” - Melissa W. - Volunteering & Homestay, 2011

“Volunteering with the kids was such an enriching experience. We don't realize how much we take for granted until we see how the rest of the world lives. I grew so close to the kids and other teachers and really loved feeling like I was making a difference. Not to mention how much my Spanish improved just from working with them!” - Sarah B. - Spanish & Volunteering, 2011

“My volunteer experience in La Boca truly defined my experience. Working at comedor Los Pibes was an amazing experience, not only did I get to teach English and interact with kids, I also got to take part in all of the activities that the comedor had to offer. Comedor Los Pibes has a true sense of community and a true family feel who opened their arms and accepted me into their amazing community. ” - Cordes S. - Volunteering, 2011

Patagonia (Junin de los Andes) Volunteer Placements

School Support
Kitchen Help
Secretarial Work
Classroom Assistant
Building Maintenance Work (painting, sanding, etc.)
Cleaning
Grounds Keeping
Fundraising
Farm Work (feeding animals, watering, harvesting, ditch digging)

The Road2Argentina volunteering program in Patagonia takes place in the town of Junin de los Andes (a three hour bus ride from the city of Bariloche). At this placement, volunteers work and live at a rural school for children who would otherwise not have an opportunity to attend school.

Volunteering in Patagonia can be combined with a program in Buenos Aires. Transportation to the volunteer placement by bus (from Buenos Aires to Junin de los Andes) is included in the program. Volunteering in Patagonia is available from November - April.

Why Volunteer in Argentina?

Road2Argentina believes that being a volunteer in Argentina is important not only because it helps those most in need, but also because it exposes travelers to a part of life that they wouldn't normally experience as a tourist. Our Volunteer in Argentina programs provide a great way to give back to the community while enriching your own understanding of a foreign culture. Road2Argentina volunteer programs are designed to provide you with the best possible experience while keepings costs affordable.

What’s Included in a Road2Argentina Volunteer Program:

Volunteer Placement
Donation in Your Name
Group Activities
Language Exchange Passes
Cell Phone
Road2Argentina Backpack with Maps
Tango Lessons
Road2Argentina 24/7 Support

Read more in depth about what’s included in Road2Argentina programs.

Volunteer Placement Descriptions:

Volunteer Placement	Childcare
General Description	There are many different childcare placements available in Buenos Aires, including working at orphanages, homes for abused children, daycares, community centers.
Tasks	Volunteers assist the children with their homework, organize educational activities and provide the children with love and attention.
Benefits	Most children in these places come from very different backgrounds and had a difficult childhood. Many have been abandoned by their parents, abused or lived on the streets. it is important to keep in mind that these problems directly affect their behaviour and this will be challenging for volunteers.
Schedule	Flexible, Morning and Afternoon
Spanish Requirement	Basic+
Minimum Duration	4 weeks
Location	Day Homes and Orphanages in Buenos Aires

Volunteer Placement	Help in a Community Soup Kitchen
General Description	The center is located in La Boca, a neighbourhood of many contrasts and traditions. More than 100 people have lunch at this community center every day, both children and adults.
Tasks	Helping hands are always welcome in the kitchen. Volunteers help prepare lunch (you will learn the secrets of regional plates), setting the tables and making the whole process faster and more effective for everyone.
Benefits	It is a great place to improve your language skills and offer social assistance. It is also the starting point to understanding the workings of the community center and its people.
Schedule	Monday - Friday, 10am – 2pm
Spanish Requirement	Basic+
Minimum Duration	2 weeks
Location	La Boca, Buenos Aires

Volunteer Placement	Help with Children's Recreational Activities
General Description	Imagine a place where parents, grandparents and children must do all their daily activities in a small, crowded house: no privacy, no silence for studying, no toys to play with; and because the streets can be dangerous, children have no space to play. Here you will volunteer at centers where children feel happy and where volunteers are needed every day.
Tasks	Volunteers assist teachers, organize games and recreational activities for the children.
Benefits	Children are eager to learn and play; they absorb every piece of information faster than we think they’re able to. They attend these activities looking for someone who cares about them and who has time to pay attention to them, as many of their parents can’t do.
Schedule	Flexible, Mainly Afternoons
Spanish Requirement	Basic+ or Intermediate+
Minimum Duration	2 weeks
Restrictions	None
Location	Various community centers and orphanages in Buenos Aires

Volunteer Placement	Teaching English to Children
General Description	Teaching English to children can be quite challenging, their parents do not speak English and language learning becomes a frustration. This is why volunteers are a key essential to carrying out these projects.
Tasks	Volunteers will help children in small groups with speaking, listening, writing, reading, grammar and vocabulary lessons. They may also be asked to help with specific children in terms of their pronunciation or for private tutoring.
Benefits	For many of the children who attend the different educational support centers, learning English is a frustration. In school, they are not able to easily understand the material and struggle to pass their exams.
Schedule	Monday - Friday, 10am – 2pm
Spanish Requirement	Basic+
Minimum Duration	2 weeks
Restrictions	Not available from December 22nd through February
Location	La Boca, Buenos Aires

Volunteer Placement	Teaching English to Adults
General Description	Teaching English to adults can be challenging but equally rewarding. Every class you teach is an opportunity to help and to give back but it is also an opportunity to learn and to receive.
Tasks	Volunteers will help adults with speaking, listening, writing, reading, grammar and vocabulary lessons. They may be asked to help students individually for a better comprehension.
Benefits	Adults need time and patience to understand. The majority of them think they will never be able to speak another language, especially at their age. The volunteer’s goal is try to change this by showing them that learning English is an important tool, that they can set a good example to their kids and that it can also be fun and ultimately therapeutic.
Schedule	3 Days / Week
Spanish Requirement	Intermediate+
Minimum Duration	4 weeks
Restrictions	Not available from December 22nd through February
Location	Community Centers in Buenos Aires

Volunteer Placement	Adults' Continuing Education
General Description	Adults who assist the community center were not able to finish their high school education. Many of them had to start working at a very young age and then never had the chance to go back to school. The aim is to bring education to them through workshops by teaching the basics of primary and secondary school.
Tasks	Volunteers will share their time, knowledge and apply their specific skills: basic computer classes (word, excel, internet search), history, maths, geography, grammar, etc. They will be asked to teach individual lessons, as adults usually feel more comfortable in this way and the classes are more effective.
Benefits	Adults need patience, but they are eager to learn, and volunteers will soon realize how much they are learning as well. It is a rewarding experience, however, you should take the lead and guide your students through their learning process, try to create bonds to gain their trust and enjoy yourself.
Schedule	Flexible
Spanish Requirement	Intermediate+
Minimum Duration	4 weeks
Restrictions	Not available from December 22nd through February
Location	La Boca, Buenos Aires

Volunteer Placement	Volunteering with HIV Affected Children
General Description	The greatest impact of HIV is on young people. These community childcare centers are run by a group of adults and volunteers who take responsibility for organizing support for vulnerable children in the area. They make sure children are in school and are able to survive - get food and clothes - or talk to them about their fears and answer their questions.
Tasks	Children at these centers are between 2 and 16 years old and volunteers help coordinators with the different tasks such as: basic care, play time, music, English, computers, help with school homework and sports.
Benefits	There are three categories of children who need special care: children whose parents have HIV/AIDS, children whose parents have died because of HIV/AIDS and children with HIV/AIDS. Volunteers interested in providing health advice about the virus are always welcome.
Schedule	Flexible
Spanish Requirement	Intermediate+
Minimum Duration	4 weeks
Location	Various Children's Homes in Buenos Aires

Volunteer Placement	Volunteer in communications for grassroots NGO
General Description	Be a part of the team of communications for a grassroots NGO whose work is dedicated to many social projects in Argentina.
Tasks	Volunteers write communication pieces for NGO, including, blogs, social media and project descriptions. They will also be responsible for taking photos at various projects and events, helping to organize fundraising efforts, and communicating about those events.
Benefits	This fast growing NGO is looking for people with interest in communication and social change.
Schedule	Flexible
Spanish Requirement	Intermediate+
Minimum Duration	8 weeks Please note this volunteer placement has limited space and fills quickly. Available upon consultation
Location	At NGO’s office in city center

Volunteer Placement	Volunteer in a Sustainable Development
General Description	Volunteer with a sustainable development NGO whose mission is to preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life in our communities by facilitating the participative process and promoting the implementation of sustainable public and private sector practices.
Tasks	The volunteer will work closely with the staff of the NGO at their office and at events. Volunteer will help with various administrative tasks as well as researching potential projects, strategic and creative planing for projects, designing and managing programs for the Climate Change Campaign, as well as planning, organizing, and attending events. Volunteer should be a motivated self-starter and have a great interest in environmental issues.
Benefits	As global issues begin to take center-stage, help this fast-growing NGO promote sustainable development and get hands-on experience working internationally in the field.
Schedule	Flexible
Spanish Requirement	High Intermediate
Minimum Duration	8 weeks
Location	La Boca