Old age poverty is a big problem in Chile. Unfortunately, the Chilean social system is not as well developed as in industrialized countries. Pensions are much lower in terms of the cost of living and the elderly often have very little or nothing to live from.
Unfortunately, this causes many senior citizens to work until they can no longer and then have little opportunity to pay for their lives. They may even have no family members who can or want to take care of them. This is also due to the often difficult working conditions and low wages with lack of state support. Many families simply can not afford to work less in order to care for their seniors, even if they want to.
Many seniors are therefore dependent on the help of non-profit organizations. They run retirement homes that provide shelter, medical care, meals, spiritual assistance and entertainment for people between the ages of 65 and 100. Most homes are simple and functional, and there is often a lack of helping hands.
The retirement homes are usually dependent on donations or religious aid organizations and the comitment of volunteers. Here you come into play! Give back to society and volunteer in a nursing home. With your volunteer work you can counteract this serious social problem and make a meaningful impact.
While volunteering in a retirement home in Chile, you will feel the warmth and gratitude of the residents. Often the Christian religion plays an important role both for the operators of the facilities and for the elderly, so you should be open and tolerant. You'll be surprised how interesting the life stories of seniors can be. If you get involved, they will certainly share their experiences and stories with you. So you can take a lot more than just gaining work experience abroad but also broaden your horizon and learn intercultural skills.
To complete this volunteer work in Chile, you do not need any special prior knowledge. However, you should be sensitive, dutiful and independent, and good with people.
Once you have been successfully placed in a volunteer work, we will send you the program description. So, you will know exactly where you will be volunteering before your departure to Chile.
