"HELP International has the perfect amount of structure to give you lots of support if you need it, and yet enough autonomy to feel empowered in making your own decisions and creating your own experience. I loved HELP International because through them I discovered what I could do as an individual to make a difference in the world, and then they helped me do it. Because of the training and leadership we had, we were prepared to be culturally sensitive and good examples of Americans, and the people of Mukono thought very highly of us. HELP isn't a huge organization and it doesn't have a ton of resources, but I was impressed at how well they organized this experience and it inspired me to return next summer."
-Kindra Clemence, Uganda 2007
"No matter how much I taught or how much I served, I could never give more than I received. The Ugandan people have given me more than I can express. They are beautiful in every way. Their strength astounds me and their spirit inspires me. When I came they called me their hero, when I left they were mine."
The Hogar del Niño Project is a program of HELP International specifically focused on sending volunteers to work in the Hogar del Niño orphanage for persons with disabilities in El Salvador.
For more information:
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The Hogar del Niño Orphanage in El Salvador was founded in 1986 by a Catholic priest named Padre Vito Guarato. It currently serves as a home for 138 persons with physical and mental disabilities. Residents of Hogar come as babies or young children and stay there for the rest of their lives. Unlike many orphanages in Central and South America, the Hogar is a safe, clean, and loving environment for the residents. However, the orphanage caregivers have their hands so full caring for the physical needs of the residents that they cannot plan activities or spend time with individual children. Many of the residents spend all day sitting in their wheelchairs.
In 2006, a HELP International volunteer started a program focused on sending volunteers to live and serve in this orphanage. Volunteers live in the orphanage and focus on improving the quality of life for the children by planning stimulating, educational, and exciting activities: art projects, leisure education, academic classes, outings, and communication development.
What is required of the volunteers participating in the Hogar del Niño Project?
Two volunteers will live and work in the orphanage for a three month shift. These shifts run from:
Mid-January through mid-April
Mid-May through mid-August
Mid-September through mid-December
The two volunteers will be living in close quarters, and therefore need to be a married couple, siblings, or of the same sex. The volunteers need to be prepared to work and live very closely for three months.
Volunteers are expected to plan daily activities and classes for the orphanage residents.
Volunteers are expected to begin and contribute to focused projects that will benefit the lives of the orphanage residents long-term. Projects can vary according to volunteers' expertise, but ideas include teaching the residents to read, teaching the non-verbal residents to use assistive communication devices, offering recreational therapy activities, teaching the orphanage teachers educational theory and techniques, etc.
Volunteers are expected to contribute 40 hours a week to improving the lives of the orphanage residents.
At least one member of the volunteer team must be fluent or nearly fluent in Spanish.
What are the costs associated with participating in the Hogar del Niño project?
The Hogar del Niño project is an affordable option for students and young married couples because generous donors in the community have contributed scholarship money to fund the volunteers' plane tickets and a portion of their program fees. Each volunteer only pays $1,750, which includes housing, program fees, and airfare.Many volunteers choose to fundraise their program fees.The cost of food, entertainment, and weekend travel is the financial responsibility of the volunteers. If volunteers fulfill their responsibilities in El Salvador, when they return to the United States they will be refunded $250 per person.
What would I gain from participating in the Hogar del Niño project?
Hands-on experience in your field of study. (Many university majors are even willing to offer internship credit for your volunteer work abroad, and this type of international experience is invaluable on applications for jobs, graduate school, medical school, or dental school.)
An incredible opportunity to experience another culture, improve your Spanish, and see the world. (A week of travel is allowed in addition to your weekends.)
Life-changing experiences learning from persons with disabilities.
The chance to play rowdy games of UNO with Xiomara, to teach Geovany to use pictures to speak to those around him, to color with Matias, to blow bubbles with Inecita, to teach Maritza how to read, and to enjoy every day serving children who really need and love you.
