Social Welfare / Child Support: Cartagena (La Boquilla)

This program is located in the beach community of La Boquilla, located about 25-30 minutes from downtown Cartagena. Most of the people in this area are fisherman and neighborhood homes are quite primitive. This multifunctioning center is supporting over 300 on a daily basis where they come to study, play and eat. There are free lunches, kingarten -primary school lessons, monthly health checks and a safe refuge for poor kids in the community. The focus of this organization is to improve the lives of the children and work on the prevention of child trafficing into the sex trade. In this center there are activities rooms for the kids, and volunteers are needed to encourage education, stimulate conversation, support the child care needs. The kids at the center range from toddlers to 15yrs old.

Activities: Feeding the children, pre-school class room lessons, English teaching to the teens, help with homeworks, playing in the playground, helping in the kitchens. Providing support with the teenagers, focusing on girls health education, health talks, empowerment, The working schedule is Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 2:30pm. This center is closed from June25- July 15th.

Requirements: Spanish speaking volunteers, short or long term placements available

Accommodations: Private bedroom (2 single beds) with ensuite bathroom, secured room with view of the ocean. Three meals a day. Located at the beach on premises of the project.

Cartagena Program Includes:

Airport reception in Cartagena City orientation and project briefing with the ABV staff coordinator. Host family stay, or on-site living accommodations with ensuite bathroom. 3 meals per day, 7 days a week. Program support throughout by ABV local staff. Departure transfer at the end of the program.

Cartagena, Colombia

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartagena is a charming walled city with massive fortifications, sea views, colonial architecture, cultural festivals and superb beach areas near by. Due to its strategic location, Cartagena is a regular port of call for cruise liner, receiving up to 100 cruises during high season.

We offer the following programs in / around Cartagena:

Program Length: 2 Week to 8 Weeks Program Date: year round * some exceptions Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm Accommodations: Homestay or on-site accommodations Meals: Yes, 3 meals a day Requirements: 18yrs +, proficient Spanish speaker

Despite the tourist trade and influx of travelers, there is real poverty in this city. Outside the Old Town are neighborhoods with extreme poverty. Children living in shambles, not attending school, vying for food by working on the streets trying to sell goods to the tourists. Most of the locals, and surrounding neighborhoods lack such basic services as electricity and running water. Many of the urban poor are migrants from rural areas who come to the city in search of a better life. Unfortunately, there are few opportunities for employment. Poverty can lead not only to malnutrition, illness, delinquency, alcoholism and domestic violence, it also worsens environmental contamination. We offer social welfare programs in and around Cartagena in children's centers which provide education, food and care to the most vulnerable children.

Cartagena Program Includes:

Airport reception in Cartagena City orientation and project briefing with the ABV staff coordinator. Host family stay, or on-site living accommodations with ensuite bathroom. 3 meals per day, 7 days a week. Program support throughout by ABV local staff. Departure transfer at the end of the program.