Gente Unida (COL-97)


Type: Human Rights: Children Rights - Country: Colombia

Brief description and main aims

Fundación Gente Unida is an NGO which was established in 1995 in order to provide education and comprehensive attention to children and young people in vulnerable situations. It aims to satisfy their educational and formative needs, continued improvement and social responsibility, improving their overall quality of life.

Main Activities

The project provides education to children, young people and adults and promotes key values and competences necessary so that participants acquire the tools with which they can transform their lives and environment. Currently, Gente Unida has 5 educational headquarters in the most vulnerable zones of Medellín through which they provide food and education to over 3,500 children, young people and adults. In Hogar Bohío de María, where the volunteer will be placed, they care for 150 children and young People who have suffered domestic violence, abuse, and abandonment. Some parents don´t have time or money, are very young or have problems with drugs or alcohol.

Volunteer tasks

  • Academic activities: to support children and young people through primary and secondary school with homework as well as give extra lessons to teach reading and writing.
  • Recreational activities: to carry out educational and recreational games for the children and young people including sporting activities.
  • Other: simple things like accompanying children to the bathroom, for example.

Volunteer requirements / Skills

A volunteer with social values and principles who believes in working together to generate better opportunities and change the realities of the children and young people within the project. The volunteer should be committed, innovative, respectful, creative, honest and, above all, sensitive to the realities of Colombian childhood. Spanish skills will help to communicate. 
 
Important: Living within the project means you have to conduct yourself as a role model for the young people living there. 

Location

The project is located in Medellín, the second largest city of Colombia and is located in the department of Antioquia. Including the surrounding areas it has a population of over 3.5 million. Medellín’s economy is known for its textile industry and its importance in the touristic sector. The project is located across five educational spaces within Medellín’s most vulnerable communities.

Hosting Situation (Board and Lodging)

Living within the project in a shared dorm or in separated little rooms with other volunteers. Bathroom is shared with other staff. There are dogs in the project. Volunteers have meals together with the children. Sometimes the volunteers have to wash by hand with only cold water. The project’s entrance is open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Visitors will be shown around, so the rooms should be kept tidy and clean. There is WiFi available in public areas.

More Information

Volunteers needed: 2-3

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