Voluntary work in South America provides a much more authentic travel experience on a South America career break. Above all, of course, voluntary work in South America is all about being a responsible tourist and donating time not money. During the course of your voluntary work in South America you will gain an understanding of local culture by working with local people. Voluntary work in South America is a great deal of fun and an excellent way to meet new people.
South America voluntary work
If you would like to do some South America voluntary work, Gap Year for Grown Ups offer a wide range of extremely rewarding projects to choose from. Our South America voluntary work projects include work with wildlife and conservation ‘people-based’ projects. All South America voluntary work programmes can include Spanish tuition.
57 trips have been found based on your filter/sort
Give an impoverished family the keys to a house you’ve just built for them. You’ll be working to build safe, solid houses to replace their cardboard shelters. An extremely rewarding project - no building experience needed.
See a stunning country from all angles. Trek through national parks, take a Spanish language course, go white water rafting, meet local craftspeople, climb a (safe!) volcano, help with a community project – and relax on the beach!
Join like-minded volunteers doing their best to save the tortoise. Feed the baby and adult tortoises, care for the unhatched eggs, tag the hatchlings and collect data on them. Take time to explore the beautiful scenery, too!
Make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and adolescents who have grown up in some of Cusco's poorest areas, working in daycare centres, boys' homes, schools and orphanages.
The online TEFL courses are internationally recognised, giving you the opportunity to travel and teach wherever there are people who want to learn. The only decision you really have to make is where you want to go and make a difference!
Discover why so many people love Bolivia. Take Spanish lessons and learn to salsa, do some valuable volunteer work with children or animals, visit the highest city in the world, meet the indigenous Tacana people and lots more.
Not only is this a hugely worthwhile programme, it also gives you the chance to experience at first hand these amazing creatures. The nearby beach also offers fantastic surfing and you will get the chance to learn the sport or hone your skills as part of the project.
Assist in the running of an animal rescue centre set in the Amazon. Your new furry and feathered friends could include monkeys, parrots, ocelots, pumas and lions.
Play a vital role in rehabilitating wild animals that have been maltreated. Get involved in their daily care, feed them, monitor their behaviour and make sure their enclosures are clean.
Make a valuable, long lasting contribution to a village in Guatemala. Give the children some basic lessons in English, maths, computing or crafts, build classrooms and recreational facilities or help with healthcare.
Work with some unusual but very friendly creatures at a wildlife society. It’s a hands-on experience, which allows you to feed and exercise baby sloths, monitor eating habits, help with specialist care and more.
Get involved with all aspects of orphanages and homes. Teach English and other lessons, run arts and sports activities and help the staff feed, bathe and take care of the children. Most importantly, make them smile.
Every year thousands of dolphins are hunted and killed illegally along the Peruvian coastline. Volunteer help is urgently required on this pioneering programme to protect the dolphins. You will form an integral part of the research team, collecting important information on the dolphin’s distribution areas, their behaviour and interactions.
Help brighten up the lives of underprivileged children in Rio. Whether you teach them English, play games with them or run arts and crafts sessions, you’ll improve their self-confidence and social skills.
This rewarding and worthwhile youth outreach project gives you the opportunity as a volunteer to play the role of mentor and teacher to children and young people in Buenos Aires.
Carry out research work in one of the world’s most beautiful ‘laboratories’. Help survey coral, dolphins, reef fish, whale sharks and lobster in the reefs off Honduras, or do some land-based research.
Make life a little brighter for vulnerable children in Bolivia. Organise dancing, music, painting and sports classes, help cook and feed them – but most of all, give them the love and attention many miss out on.
Channel your creative energy into community centres and make a huge difference to their users. Whether you make puppets, play Simon Says or organise a sports day, you’ll make a valuable contribution.
Work with children from the local Pavão – Pavãozinho community in the South Zone of Rio. The education centre cares for 353 children from ages 3 months to 18 years. The centre aims to deliver education and medical care, to children and their families who are living in social risk situations.
Learn enough Spanish to chat with the locals, travel around South America and make your ideas understood on a volunteer programme. Cultural activities and excursions will help you get the most out of your stay.
Brighten up the lives of children who are largely left to fend for themselves. Organise activities, encourage them to keep healthy and show them someone cares. You’ll also be supporting children who attend school.
Help meet the need for teachers on a spectacular island. Teach English and music, crafts, sports or foreign languages – whatever you feel comfortable with. A great way to contribute while learning about a new culture.
This is a unique opportunity to make a difference to the lives of young people in one of Venezuela’s most under-resourced areas. These are charming and friendly people, living in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, but they really need the help and support of volunteers.
Carry out valuable conservation work on the Pacific Coast. Patrol the beaches, collect and take eggs to the hatchery and record data – your efforts will help protect a fascinating species from extinction.
Dive and swim amongst whale sharks, dolphins, and manta rays in the heart of the Carribbean. The reefs are studded with beautiful corals and feature a wide variety of colourful tropical fish. So, you’ll be surrounded by natural splendour, whilst receiving top-quality training in a fantastic part of the world!
This is a rewarding project that gives you the opportunity to care for orphaned and abandoned children in Santiago, and provide them with the love and care they so desperately crave.
Learn Spanish from native speakers in fun and friendly classes. Small classes, experienced teachers and lots of conversation practice will have you chatting in no time. Very useful for travelling or volunteering in Latin America.
Watch the wonderful effects of this invaluable therapy as you work with disabled children, helping them to build up their confidence and to get fitter and healthier. This project is ideal for lovers of horses and children and is especially valuable in a country like Venezuela due to the limited resources that disabled children have access to.
This project offers a terrific opportunity for an enthusiastic volunteer to make a real difference to the future of a group of Venezuelan children. Teaching English in the local school, you will have the chance to experience the rich culture of the region and improve your own communication skills at the same time.
Get up close to jaguars, parrots and other wildlife. The creatures have been held captive, but will hopefully be returned to the wild. Help nurse them back to health and educate the public about the centre’s work.
Help children in Ecuador acquire the skills and knowledge they need to secure a job. Work with other volunteers to develop lesson plans, then give your own lessons in English, sports or the arts.
Make the most of your trip to Latin America by learning Spanish. Experienced teachers will set up role-plays and organise cultural visits and classes to make your stay as authentic and enjoyable as possible!
Join this tour and tick off one of life’s ‘must do’ things – trek the Inca Trail! The programme starts in Lima before heading to the Andes and Macchu Picchu.
As an English teacher in Buenos Aires, you have the unique opportunity to really make an impact on the lives of disadvantaged children of the city. They will look to you not only as a teacher, but also as a mentor, making this an extremely important and rewarding volunteer role.
A language course is a fantastic way to start your adventure. Learning the language is the best way to make the most out of your volunteer project. The lessons will help you converse with the locals, introduce you to the culture and it's a great way to meet new people.
Learn Spanish with students from across the world. Classes are small and friendly and the teachers are qualified native speakers. Cultural activities and home-stays mean plenty of chances to practise.
Take fun, innovative and fruitful Spanish lessons at one of two language centres. Learn from experienced teachers and take advantage of cultural activities and a home-stay to practise outside of lessons. ¡Olé…!
Help families break the poverty circle by teaching English, mentoring children, organising leisure activities and helping with the running of the day care centre. Your efforts will help them towards employment in the future.
Spend 5 months or more on an amazing gap year in Latin America. This programme provides all the structure you need, with lots of activities including Spanish lessons, volunteering with wildlife or disadvantaged street children.
Work as a PE teacher in a village school. Help out with lessons and take your own, organise competitions and give advice on keeping healthy. Football, volleyball and basketball are all popular with the children.
Discover Peru on a exciting, small group adventure tour. During this 21-day trip you will trek the Inca Trail to discover Machu Picchu, visit the Nazca Lines, Cusco, the Ballestas Islands and much more!
Give vulnerable children a better quality of life by teaching English, football and other subjects. You’ll assist with homework, build up their confidence and help them to a brighter future.
This is a chance to bring your enthusiasm for environmental conservation to the ‘Great Savannah’ area of Venezuala. You can live and work with the local population and other volunteers actually inside La Gran Sabana National Park, making a real difference to the long-term prospects of this important habitat.
A chance to try some new sports. Learn to surf and kite surf, go white water rafting and take a forest canopy tour. A sunset cruise and Spanish lessons make for the perfect short adventure!
Explore the true heart of Rio whilst making a real difference to the city’s underprivileged communities. Get involved in a broad range of projects from educational support and health programmes to working with handicapped teenagers from low-income communities.
Study two of the best bits of Costa Rica! Get to grips with the language in the mornings and practise salsa, merengue, reggae, the cha-cha-cha and others in the afternoons. Classes are fun and friendly.
Get involved with efforts to help blind people lead normal lives. Accompany residents on daily errands and leisure activities, type up materials and promote the project work. A challenging but very rewarding programme.
Learn Portuguese and make visiting Brazil a more involved experience. Small, classes, innovative teaching methods, cultural activities and accommodation with a local family make learning quick and enjoyable.
This programme offers a unique opportunity to live amongst the indigenous people of south-east Venezuela, helping with the conservation of rare and endangered animal species. You will also be helping to preserve the Pemon people’s tradition and culture in an isolated community in a beautiful part of the world.
Master the basics of rock climbing above a truly spectacular city. Learn the ropes(!), and in your free time, relax on the beach or explore Rio de Janeiro’s many other attractions.
Study two martial art forms: jiu-jitsu and capoeira. Take lessons with locals, practise the techniques and learn about the history behind the art. You’ll find out why size doesn’t count when it comes to jiu-jitsu…!
Put your love of tennis to a worthwhile cause and coach underprivileged children. Help out with sessions, organise your own classes and competitions, umpire in the community – you’ll be amazed by what sport can do.
Teach English, take part in vocational and health workshops, organise leisure activities and help with fundraising. You’ll give people of all ages the chance of a better education and a better life.
Explore South America for four months or more. This adventure takes you through Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, but with 100% flexibility, you can add more destinations and activities should you wish. Ecuador - Peru - Bolivia.
Tour Peru for two weeks soaking up the culture and history of this incredible country. Take a train ride to Machu Picchu, visit Lake Titicaca, discover Colca Canyon and much more!
Gap Year for Grown Ups provides Career Break Voluntary Projects and Culture & Language programmes throughout South America and Central America. They have the best available Community voluntary projects as well as a number of Conservation Volunteer Projects to choose from. Combine these voluntary work placements abroad with learning Spanish in South America.
For useful volunteer travel advice to South America from Gap Year For Grown Ups, use the following links:
