Volunteer projects in South America

Volunteer projects in South America are a brilliant way to be a responsible tourist and make a positive contribution when you're travelling in this fascinating region. It's all too easy to forget just how privileged many of us are to be able to visit other parts of the world - so volunteer projects in South America are an ideal opportunity to give up just some of your time in order to help those less fortunate than yourself.

One of the great things about all of Gap Year for Grown Ups volunteer projects in South America is that volunteers can, if they wish, benefit from receiving comprehensive Spanish tuition in their spare time. If you learn some conversational Spanish you'll get so much more from your involvement with volunteer projects in South America - and it's also a skill which greatly enhances your travels in South America generally.

Another benefit of volunteer projects in South America is that working on them enables you to gain a far greater insight in to local culture and everyday life. Volunteer projects in South America inevitably require you to work alongside local people on a daily basis - which makes for a far more `real' and authentic travel experience than simply travelling on a conventional overland tour. What's more volunteer projects in South America are also a great way to meet other like-minded travellers and the shared experience tends to really bond people together.

GYFGU's has an incredibly diverse range of volunteer projects in South America to choose from. Full details on all of our volunteer projects in South America can be found on the GYFGU's website. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to discuss the various different volunteer projects in South America with someone in person, you can also speak to one of our expert career break travel advisers- several of whom have travelled extensively in South America themselves.

Because there are so many volunteer projects in South America it's impossible to adequately summarise them all on just one page. However, broadly speaking, there are three main types of volunteer projects in South America to choose from…

Volunteer projects in South America - Wildlife

If you're passionate about wildlife there are plenty of extremely worthwhile volunteer projects in South America you could consider. For example GYFGU's has several programmes located in the remote and beautiful setting of Ecuador's Galapagos Islands - one of Planet Earth's most unique ecosystems. There are also numerous wildlife volunteer projects in South America on the mainland, including an exciting river turtle programme in the Peruvian Amazon.

Volunteer projects in South America - People

Many of GYFGU's volunteer projects in South America are dedicated to providing help and support to a diverse range of disadvantaged people and communities throughout the region - from homeless street kids to people suffering from disabilities or illness.

Volunteer projects in South America - Environment

It's also possible to opt for volunteer projects in South America which allow you to do your bit to care for the environment - such as our environmental awareness programme in the Galapagos for example.

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Amazon Teaching Project 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. Amazon Turtle Conservation Volunteer Take part in a highly rewarding project deep in the Peruvian rainforest. Help collect and incubate turtle eggs and release the hatchlings back into the wild. A truly hands-on, back-to-nature experience. Animal Rescue Centre Guatemala 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. Animal Rescue Volunteer Ecuador Ideal for anyone interested wildlife. Work in one of three centres, caring for animals such as lions, monkeys and many others. Feed them, keep their enclosures clean, build new facilities and help educate the local community. Argentina Spanish Language School Learn one of the most melodic languages in the world, through fun, friendly lessons. Small classes, cultural activities and modern teaching methods make for rapid progress. Ideal if you plan to travel or do a project in South America.    Bolivia Experience 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. Bolivia Orphanage Volunteer Make life a little brighter for orphans 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. Bolivia Spanish Language School 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. Bolivia Youth Voluntary Project Give orphans and vulnerable children the chance of a better future. Work at a centre and help them learn vital skills such as English, manual labour and sports – essential if they don’t go onto university. Brazil Beginners Rock Climbing 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. Brazil Education Centre in Recife 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. Brazil Environmental Education and Theatre Onboard This programme incorporates education and conservation as you travel by boat around the islands of the Tinhare Archipelago raising environmental awareness amongst children. You will also be involved in tree planting, assist with local environmental research and even producing a theatrical performance to raise environmental awareness! Brazil Floating School Project and Capeiora Take part in a truly unique project. Give English lessons in the morning, help build the touring, floating school in the afternoon then learn capoeira from locals in the evening. No experience needed, just enthusiasm! Brazil Martial Arts Experience 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…! Brazil Pantanal Research and Conservation Work on the largest freshwater wetland in the world. Track and capture peccaries, observe behaviour, collect data and carry out censuses. Keep an eye out for giant river otters, jaguars and much, much more! Brazil Portuguese Language School 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. Brazil Support for Blind People 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. Brazil Tennis Coaching 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. Brazilian Beats and Learning Portuguese Become fully immersed in Brazilian culture and lifestyle through language lessons, cultural studies, Capoeira and drumming classes and homestay accommodation in the historic city of Salvador. Brighter Future in Cordoba Argentina Light up the lives of children and adults from a poor part of Argentina. Play with the younger ones and assist with their workshops, and help women develop the skills to become self-sufficient. Chile Spanish Language School in Santiago 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. Community Support in Rio Brazil 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. Costa Rica Animal Rescue 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. Costa Rica Discovery Tour Family Friendly! Explore rainforests, discover golden sandy beaches, trek in volcano country and spot a multitude of wildlife on a 14-day, family friendly tour of Costa Rica. Costa Rica Experience 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! Costa Rica Orphanages and Homes 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. Costa Rica Schools and Day Care Centres 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. Costa Rica Sea Turtle and Surf The existence of the sea turtle hangs in the balance. At present, just 1 in every 5000 eggs laid will grow to become an adult turtle, with human intervention just one of a series of threats faced by turtle populations. Our projects in Costa Rica desperately require volunteers to help with conservation projects during the turtle-nesting season. Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation Continue successful efforts to stop the decline in turtle numbers. Take part in beach patrols, tag flippers, escort baby turtles to the beach, collect eggs to be put in the hatchery and litter-pick the beach. Costa Rica Sloth Rescue Programme 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. Costa Rica Spanish and Salsa 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. Costa Rica Spanish Language School 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. Costa Rica Sports and Teaching Sports Coaching – Football – Volleyball - Basketball 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.