Community Service Abroad

Since initially coming to Argentina in 2004, we have relied on community service as a way to give back to the community as well as learn about the value of helping others. It also enables to make new friends in the community where we live. In so many different situations we have noticed that people can still be happy and hopeful in spite of their social and economic hardships.  

During the two years that we were in Mendoza, Argentina, we  helped out at local orphanages and a children's hospital. We helped care for toddlers in a ward that was severely understaffed.  We built a playground at the Children's Hospital and completely renovated the girls dormitory in a homeless shelter. We also took over a middle school English class in a small rural town for a semester to teach students English.  In 2011, after a volcano erupted outside of Bariloche, Argentina, we helped our neighbors dig out the 3-4 inches of ash that covered roofs, gardens and yards.  In Chile, we have painted community buildings and done landscaping work for several families in need of assistance. We have also been helping out at a day care center filled with energetic 3 and 4 year olds. The dynamics of volunteering in the community can be complex and sometimes challenging due to the language and cultural barriers students face, but students invariably find it to be enriching both to the people they are serving and for their own personal development.

The opportunities for Community Service in Latin America are endless. We have enjoyed exploring ways to help out so that we get to know the people who we are helping. Here are just a few of the many pictures that we've taken over the last 8 years from some of our volunteer projects in Argentina and Chile.

 

After Renovation

During Renovation