Volunteer in La Isla Bonita Summer 2017

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Spend this summer in an island paradise with a diverse culture, where you can work directly with the community, changing the lives of others while enriching your own!

About San Andres

San Andres is 700 km from the Colombian mainland, a miniature paradise with influences from England and Spain, pirates and corsairs, blended into a rich culture which moves to the beat of reggae. Perfect beaches, excellent water-sports, diving and ecotourism.

Your first glimpse of San Andres island is the sea of seven colors, home to many-hued fish and coral, working their magic on the visitor. After an afternoon on the beach or shopping duty-free, night falls and the air is alive with music and dancing.

Program Includes:

• Round-trip airfare from Washington, DC to San Andres, Colombia
• In-country transportation
• Round-trip airfare from San Andres to Providence Island
• Orientation and program supervision
• Shared accommodations (with other volunteers) and 3 daily meals
• In-country 24/7 volunteer support
• In-country administration costs
• Spanish immersion
• Option to participate in excursions and cultural programs*

Types of Projects

Construction and Renovation

The Construction and Renovation project provides a chance for volunteers to see the results of their hard work and get their hands a little dirty! Volunteers do not need any building or renovation experience to participate on the Construction and Renovation project, however you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness and a high level of enthusiasm and determination to participate on the project.

Volunteers work alongside a local foreman who will provide guidance and assign tasks to volunteers.

Teaching English as a Second Language

Volunteers will teach English literacy to students at varying levels and age ranges depending on need. Many locals in San Andres can communicate in English but they can't read and write very well in the language. This is a hinderance in their ability to secure work in the tourist economy of the island.

Providing Capacity Development and Community Resource Training

Volunteers will have the opportunity to suggest their specific area of expertise and we will work to place you with an organization whose needs fit your skills. This is a self-design program; however, we do have great need for those with expertise in community health, organizational or business management, and political advocacy.

Volunteer Schedule

The volunteer program will consist of working 20 hours per week and 10 hours of Spanish immersion. Other times will be spent participating in cultural activities, including the festivities of two national holidays: Independence Day (July 20th) and the Battle of Boyacá (Aug. 7th).

We will visit the neighboring smaller islands for a 3 day excursion during our stay, there will be guided tours provided of the islands unique attractions, and there will also be plenty of time for volunteers to explore the island on their own.

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* Note:

We will organize and arrange culural excusions and activites but some will not be covered by the program and the volunteer will have to pay the fees associated with those activites.