Volunteer in Latin America this Summer! Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) offers life-changing summer programs for teenagers and young adults in Latin America. Volunteers live with host families in rural or semi-rural communities with one or two other AMIGOS volunteers. They partner with the community to work on public health, education, environmental and technology projects. AMIGOS is unique in that volunteers work with the community to determine which projects will be most beneficial. The buy-in of community members ensures that the projects will be sustainable long after volunteers leave. AMIGOS volunteers gain life-long cross-cultural friendships as well as Spanish-language, leadership and communication abilities.

AMIGOS is a learning opportunity. It is a chance for young people to experience life outside the U.S., enhance their Spanish-speaking skills, help out in places where people aren't as fortunate, and make lifelong friendships while providing community service. —Adrian Milton, Veteran Volunteer

Summer 2010 Projects

Projects in North America & the Caribbean

Dominican Republic

San Juan Sports & Leadership (8 weeks: June 15—August 10, 2010)
Promote leadership skills, team building and youth empowerment through sports. Partner with local youth to run camps for 5-12 year old children.

Mexico

Oaxaca Community Nutrition (8 weeks: June 8—August 3, 2010)
Work with community members on nutrition issues, including amaranth planting, cooking demonstrations and community/family gardens. Collaborate with local youth to conduct workshops about amaranth and general nutrition. A high level of Spanish proficiency is preferred.

Oaxaca Digital Culture (8 weeks: June 8—August 3, 2010)
Help promote and preserve the local culture through the use of digital and video cameras, website creation, blogs and more as well as train youth on basic computer and digital photography skills (all equipment will be provided). A high level of Spanish proficiency and basic technology skills are preferred.

Oaxaca Community Health I (8 weeks: June 8—August 3, 2010)
Carry out community health activities in collaboration with community youth.

Oaxaca Community Health II (8 weeks: June 8—August 3, 2010)
Carry out community health activities in collaboration with local youth representatives from Avancemos and community members.

Projects in Central America

Costa Rica

Limón Environmental Health & Gardening (8 weeks: June 29—August 10, 2010)
Promote leadership skills, team building and youth empowerment through environmental activities and gardening. Partner with local youth to run camps for 5-12 year old children focusing on environmental health and gardening.

Honduras

Intibucá Environmental Camp (6 weeks: June 30—August 10, 2010)
Partner with local youth to run camps for 5-12 year old children focusing on environmental issues (e.g. water cycle, trash pick-up, deforestation).

La Paz Cultural Expression (6 weeks: June 29—August 10, 2010)
Partner with local youth to run camps for 5-12 year old children.

Nicaragua

Boaco Youth and Media (6 weeks: June 15—July 27, 2010)
Promote leadership skills, team building and youth empowerment through the use of technology. Partner with local youth to run camps for 5-12 year old children focusing on children's rights.

Boaco Youth and the Arts (6 weeks: June 15—July 27, 2010)
Promote leadership skills, team building and youth empowerment through the arts (dance, music, theater). Partner with local youth to run camps for 5-12 year old children.

Matagalpa Safe Water & the Environment (6 weeks: June 22—August 10, 2010)
Promote leadership skills, team building and youth empowerment through environmental activities. Partner with local youth to run camps for 5-12 year old children focusing on environmental issues (e.g. water cycle, trash pick-up, deforestation).

Panama

Azuero Environmental Health (8 weeks: June 8—August 3, 2010)
Promote leadership skills, team building, and youth empowerment through environmental activities. Work alongside Panamanian volunteers from MIDES to promote civic engagement and volunteerism in the community.

Coclé Environmental Health (6 weeks: June 15—July 27, 2010)
Partner with local youth to run camps for 5-12 year old children focusing on environmental health. Work with youth leaders to organize a presentation for the project-wide Youth Festival.

Projects in South America

Ecuador

Cotopaxi Environment & the Arts (7 weeks: June 22—August 10, 2010)
Carry out environmental activities using the arts, in collaboration with community youth and local music groups.

Cotopaxi Environmental Health (7 weeks: June 22—August 10, 2010)
Carry out environmental health activities in collaboration with community youth.

Paraguay

Paraguari Safe Water & the Environment (8 weeks: June 14—August 11, 2010)
Build 15-20 family latrines in each community. Facilitate educational activities on latrine maintenance with families using curriculum developed by SENASA. Partner with local youth to run camps for 5-12 year old children. Some volunteers may be partnered for 10 days with Paraguayan youth from the Junior Achievement program.

Paraguari Environmental Health (8 weeks: June 14—August 11, 2010)
Partner with local youth to run camps for 5-12 year old children focusing on environmental health. Run 2-week long day camp for children during the Paraguayan winter break. Some volunteers may be partnered for 10 days with Paraguayan youth from the Junior Achievement program.

San Pedro Reforestation & Nutrition (6 weeks: June 21—August 4, 2010)
Educate families about nutrition, help construct 8-10 fuel-efficient stoves in each community and participate in reforestation initiatives, including tree-planting and educational activities. Some volunteers may be partnered for 10 days with youth from the Junior Achievement program in Paraguay.

A Day in the Life: Paraguay
Youth Leadership. Multicultural Understanding. Community Development. These are the three pillars for the Amigos challenge. One volunteer shares lessons learned while on her summer experience in Paraguay. Read more »

Find Your Voice!

El mundo necesita más Amigos... como tú! Glimpse into a day in the life of an Amigos de las Américas volunteer. Learn how you too can spend the summer in a Latin American country completing meaningful community development projects. Live with a host family and work with the community to make a positive difference. Watch more AMIGOS videos »

Requirements & Fees

To serve as an AMIGOS volunteer in Latin America, you must:

•	Be at least 16 years old by September 1st of the year of volunteer service
•	Have completed your sophomore year of high school
•	Have completed at least two years of high school Spanish or the equivalent
•	Adhere to the AMIGOS Standards of Personal Conduct and Community Behavior
•	Fulfill training and fundraising requirements
•	Receive the required immunizations

The Participation Fee includes:

•	Round-trip international airfare from your gateway city
•	Authentic meals, lodging with host family and transportation in Latin America
•	All project related supplies
•	Training materials and workshops
•	Veteran supervisory project staff
•	24-hour emergency On-Call Communications System during the program
•	Supplemental short-term international medical insurance

Additional participation expenses include immunizations and medical examinations, passport/visa fees and airfare to U.S. gateway city (only for CVs)

The first step in making a positive difference with AMIGOS is filling out the Volunteer Application. You may apply through a chapter or through the Correspondent Volunteer (CV) program.

Learn more about the difference between the chapter and CV programs.

Amigos de las Américas 5618 Star Lane Houston, TX 77057 713.782.5290 800.231.7796 toll free 713.782.9267 fax info@amigoslink.org www.amigoslink.org Explore all current AMIGOS Volunteer Projects »

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