We take volunteering seriously, and expect that our volunteers will do the same.
On our part, this means that South America Connections carefully researches, visits and spends time with every organization or person to whom we send volunteers. This is particularly important in our placements for individual volunteers.

In our seven years of experience placing volunteers, we have studied what kinds of placements tend to work well, and for what kinds of people. We take the time to counsel potential volunteers about their choices, and discuss – sometimes at length! – what kind of placement would be best for them. We are honest about the pros and cons of each placement. Because we have long-term relationships with the organizations that receive our volunteers, it is in our interest for each and every placement to succeed.

Coming to a foreign country, speaking a foreign language and dealing with the subleties of a foreign culture can be overwhelming at times. The end result of your placement should be a sense of achievement, greatly improved Spanish, hands-on experience gained in the field of your interest, and perhaps some lasting friendships made – yet there may be times along the way, when you feel overwhelmed, homesick or out of place. This is why we offer continuous, 24-hour in-country support for our volunteers, and emphasize the importance of communication at all times.

On your part as a volunteer, we expect that once you make a commitment, you stick to it, respecting the work schedule and fully meeting your responsibilities. You should volunteer for something you enjoy, something that you can bring passion to. You should bring to your volunteering an open mind, a willingness to leave your most reflexive judgments behind, and to learn from those you work with just as they will learn from you. We ask you to remember that you are, inevitably, an ‘ambassador’ for your country and for future volunteers from all over the world.
Here are some additional insights about this volunteer journey you are considering:

“There are countless reasons why thousands of people volunteer abroad each year. You may start with a desire to travel, learn a new language or meet new people. By volunteering, you'll also have the opportunity to lend a hand to those who are working to improve life in their communities. Through your daily work and interactions with members of a local community, you'll gain a better understanding of the culture, as well as the issues that affect that part of the world...” Read more from IVPA at http://www.volunteerinternational.org/whyvolunteer.html

“Ever get the feeling that you have a higher calling? You know... That you have a special purpose on this earth? You're not interested in the corporate world, SUV's or IPO's. In fact, if you had the chance, you would surely save the world... Well maybe not the world, but some small part of it…..” read more from GoAbroad.com at http://www.volunteerabroad.com/volunteer_guide.cfm