In Latin America, ICYE volunteers are received in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru. In addition, it is possible to apply for a voluntary work period in the United States.
You can find out more about the general practices of the ICYE program on the program main page. In each program country, the local ICYE organisation trains and supports the volunteers.
Themes for voluntary work: care and health · climate and environment · culture and arts · education
In Argentina, volunteers are hosted by communities who, among other things, support the schooling of children and young people, provide environmental education through plant and gardening activities, and offer vulnerable people the opportunity to develop their skills through plant cultivation. Volunteers can also be placed in a hospital to support patients and their relatives and the hospital’s daily work, or in ICYE Argentina to help coordinate international volunteering. Volunteers going to Argentina should have knowledge of Spanish. Volunteers will live in shared accommodation with other volunteers.
Themes for voluntary work: care and health · climate and environment · culture and arts · diversity, equality, and inclusion · education · office work and communications
In Bolivia, the ICYE volunteers work especially among children and youth – in support centres for children and youth living in the streets, for instance. Volunteers are welcomed also to human rights organizations and to workplaces working with people with disabilities. Most of the voluntary workplaces are situated in the area of La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and Sucre. Accommodation in most cases in a host family, but sometimes also at the voluntary workplace.
NB! In Bolivia, the voluntary workplace of each volunteer is usually decided after their arrival to the country, when the volunteers have personally discussed their wishes with ICYE Bolivia.
Themes for voluntary work: care and health · diversity, equality, and inclusion · education
In Brazil, ICYE voluntary work is done especially among children and youth. Volunteers are received by a support center for children living in the streets, a kindergarten for the children of needy families, and an educational center for disabled children and youth, for instance. Most of the voluntary workplaces are situated in Porto Alegre. Accommodation, almost without exceptions, in a host family.
Themes for voluntary work: care and health · climate and environment · culture and arts · diversity, equality, and inclusion · education · office work and communications · leisure activities and community development
In Colombia, volunteer placements focus on the education, well-being, inclusion, and peace education of children and youth. Volunteers can also work in places such as a nature reserve or a butterfly center. In addition, volunteers support the work of the local ICYE organisation. Depending on the project, volunteers live with host families, in shared volunteer housing, or on-site at the volunteer placement.
Themes for voluntary work: care and health · climate and environment · education · office work and communications
In Costa Rica, volunteers work in places such as kindergartens, schools, and care homes for the elderly, as well as in the environmental sector – for example, in sea turtle conservation work. Volunteers usually stay with host families, but in environmental conservation projects they often stay on site.
“For me, the best days were those when we got to release newly hatched turtles.” – Saara
Themes for voluntary work: care and health · climate and environment · culture and arts · diversity, equality, and inclusion · education · office work and communications · leisure activities and community development
In Ecuador, volunteers are welcomed to take part in the work of, for example, kindergartens, schools, and environmental organisations. You can volunteer, for example, at a botanical garden in Cuenca or Quito. At most voluntary workplaces, volunteers stay with host families, but sometimes they stay on the premises of the placement or in shared accommodation with other volunteers.
Themes for voluntary work: care and health · climate and environment · culture and arts · diversity, equality, and inclusion · education · office work and communications
In Honduras, the volunteers work especially among children – in a kindergarten or a center for disabled children and youth, for instance. Volunteers work also in projects working for advancing human rights, development of the countryside, health, and the position of women and indigenous people. Accommodation in a host family or at the voluntary workplace.
Themes for voluntary work: care and health · climate and environment · culture and arts · diversity, equality, and inclusion · education
In Mexico, you can volunteer with children and young people in schools and nurseries, for example. Volunteering opportunities are also available in areas such as care for the elderly, promoting animal welfare and environmental protection. Volunteers’ tasks may include, for example, supporting teaching and leisure activities, organising community activities, caring for animals, or providing environmental education. Volunteers usually stay with host families, but sometimes they also live on site at their place of volunteering.
Themes for voluntary work: care and health · climate and environment · culture and arts · diversity, equality, and inclusion · education · office work and communications · leisure activities and community development
In Peru, cooperation takes place, among other things, in supporting children and young people receiving hospital care and their families. In addition, volunteer opportunities are available, for example, with ICYE Peru and at a food bank that collects and distributes edible rescue food. Volunteers stay either in host families, in shared volunteer housing, or at accommodations connected to their volunteer placement.
Themes for voluntary work: care and health · diversity, equality, and inclusion · leisure activities and community development
In the United States, volunteers work in residential communities for people with intellectual disabilities, where they also live. These communities offer their residents workshops and activities, as well as a safe and supportive living environment. The communities are located in New Hampshire and Virginia.
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