Volunteering in Chile

Volunteer Programs in Chile

If you are looking to learn and collaborate at the same time, volunteer projects in Chile are the ideal destination to have this experience.

The enthusiasm, motivation and interest that the volunteers show in learning about the Mapuche culture, produces a space of mutual learning and cooperation between the families, the community and the volunteer.

In Chile we collaborate the volunteer programs with Mapuche families. The work is focused on the daily support of their activities such as: work and care of the garden, care and feeding of animals such as sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys, among others; chopping and sorting firewood; help in the kitchen, both in cooking and washing, and other activities.


In Chile we collaborate in the volunteer program in Chile with Mapuche families. The work is focused on the daily support of their activities such as: the work and care of the garden, care and feeding of animals such as sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys, among others; chopping and sorting firewood; help in the kitchen, both cooking and washing, among other activities.


COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WITH FAMILIES

The activities that volunteers carry out in Chile are directly in the family’s home, where you will live during your volunteering.

Usually the families live in rural areas relatively close to the center of Kurarewe.

The tasks performed in volunteering with Mapuche families are as follows:

  • Work and care of the family’s vegetable garden assigned to you.
  • Care and feeding of animals such as sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys, among others.
  • Production of canned food
  • Chopping and sorting firewood
  • Help in the kitchen, cooking, washing and tidying up.
  • Helping to gather fruits of the forest at harvest time.

It is important to keep in mind that some of the activities and tasks to be carried out are always subject to weather conditions, the interest and capacity of the volunteer and the needs of each family.

Open from January to April, with hours from Monday to Friday,

If the family and the volunteer generate a good relationship, the volunteering can be extended, as long as both parties so desire, and determining together the amount of time to be
the amount of time to be extended.

The work day is 5 hours, from 9 am to 2 pm. There may be modifications subject to the family and their schedules. The rest of the day is free to share with the family, go for walks, get to know the territory.

  • Minimum age: 18
  • Maximum age: None
  • Copy of resume required: No
  • Qualifications required: Certificate of criminal offenses
  • Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by parents or guardians.
WEEKSCost
1295€
2395€
3515€
+120€

WHAT IS VOLUNTEERING IN CHILE?

  • Accommodation during your volunteer stay
  • 3 meals during your volunteering
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Program monitoring and evaluation
  • Orientation and induction to the project
  • Certificate of weeks spent volunteering
  • Guidance, advice and management in the choice of the program
  • CR and accident insurance
  • Tax certificate

WHAT IS NOT OFFERED IN VOLUNTEERING?

  • Flight to Chile
  • Pick up at the airport
  • Visa, if necessary
  • Internal transportation or excursions
  • Travel within or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance
  • Beverages, diets and special meals
  • Bottled water


What are the requirements to volunteer in Chile?

Some of the most important requirements to volunteer in Chile are:

  • Be of legal age
  • Demonstrate respect for the Mapuche culture and the ways and customs of each host family.
  • Comply with the assigned schedule during the volunteering period.
  • Respect schedules and agreements with the host family.

You can check the specific requirements in the project section.


Where will I be while volunteering in Chile?

The volunteer program in Chile takes place in the country of Chile, specifically in the community of Kurarewe, which is located 140 km from Temuco, capital of the Araucanía Region.


When can I volunteer in Chile?

Volunteering in Chile is active throughout the year, however due to the climatic conditions of the area and the cycle of the Mapuche community’s farming activity, we suggest volunteering between the months of September and April, a period in which the families have more field activity.

LLEGADA A TU DESTINO

Dependiendo del medio de transporte utilizado por el voluntario para llegar al voluntariado en Chile, serás recibido por un coordinador local de la organización el cual te dará la bienvenida.

Dependiendo de la hora de llegada al país e instalaciones del proyecto, se te realizará la orientación de la casa, proyecto y actividades a realizar con la familia.

Formas de llegada


La comuna de Kurarewe está localizada a 140 Km. de Temuco, capital de la Región de La Araucanía, donde llegan aproximadamente 5 vuelos diarios desde Santiago (no internacionales) y a 36 Km. de Pucón, balneario turístico donde llegan diversas líneas de buses en recorrido nocturno desde Santiago (aproximadamente 10 horas de viajes es buses muy cómodos). También hay una línea de buses directa de Santiago a Kurarewe.

Los vuelos internacionales a Santiago de Chile llegan habitualmente temprano, por lo que si el voluntario quiere tomar un vuelo a Temuco ese mismo día puede tomarlo.

También está la opción de ir al terminal de buses de Santiago y comprar pasaje para el bus nocturno a Pucón.


a) Llegada en avión desde Santiago:
• Distancia de recogida del aeropuerto hasta la casa
Una hora y 40 minutos desde el aeropuerto hasta Kurarewe.
• Medio de recogida el día de llegada en el aeropuerto
Hay transfer desde el aeropuerto de Temuco a Pucón, aunque no es regular y depende del mínimo de personas que pidan el servicio para realizarlo.
En caso que nosotros debamos ir a recoger al voluntario al aeropuerto Temuco tiene un valor ya que hay gasto de peajes, combustible y del chofer que presta el servicio. Total 65 €

b) Llegada en bus desde Santiago:
Los buses llegan alrededor de las 09.00 hrs. AM a Pucón, y hay mini buses de Pucón a Kurarewe cada 30 minutos.
Está la opción de ir a recoger al voluntario al terminal de buses de Pucón. Valor: 25 €.
En general se intentará que alguien de nuestro equipo sea quien vaya a buscar al voluntario al aeropuerto o terminal de buses de Pucón con un letrero

VACUNAS 

Actualmente si vienes desde España, no es necesario ninguna vacuna. Aunque es recomendable que consultes con tu centro médico, ya que puede haber vacunas recomendables.

VISADO PARA IR A CHILE

Para ciudadanos españoles que realicen un viaje a Chile por un período inferior a tres meses, necesitarán los siguientes documentos:

  • Pasaporte
  • Billete de ida y vuelta
  • Medios económicos (Solvencia económica)

Para estancias de hasta 90 días no necesitas solicitar visado, siendo residente o de nacionalidad Española. En el caso que pienses extender tu viaje de voluntariado, debes solicitar una prórroga a las autoridades locales, ya que si no lo haces te pueden multar y expulsar del país.

Otras nacionalidades consultar los requisitos en la Embajada o consulado de Chile en su país.

SEGURIDAD EN CHILE

A nivel de Centroamérica, Chile es considerado un país seguro. Pero nada es perfecto, y como en muchos países del mundo hay que tener ciertas precauciones.

Por lo general las zonas turísticas son seguras, pero igualmente te recomendamos tener estos detalles en cuenta:

  • Avisa a tu coordinador, en caso de realizar alguna excursión, para que pueda prevenirte sobre los lugares
  • Ten a mano el número de teléfono de tu coordinador/a y la dirección donde te alojas por si la necesitas
  • Evita dar información acerca del lugar donde te alojas, del proyecto y de tus compañeros (voluntarios) por seguridad
  • No lleves a nadie que no sea de la organización a la casa del voluntario
  • Evita zonas de riesgo en cada lugar que visites.
  • Viaja en austeridad en tus traslados cotidianos y en tus excursiones
  • Evita llamar la atención con joyería y accesorios
  • Si puedes evita sacar tu teléfono móvil en lugares públicos
  • Trata de usar los servicios de transportes seguros del país o servicios como Uber o taxis
  • Evita caminar solo o sola por calles no conocidas en horarios nocturnos
  • Jamás subas a un vehículo desconocido o al tuyo a alguien que no conozcas
  • No ingieras ninguna bebida de la que desconozcas la procedencia

ALOJAMIENTO EN CHILE

Las casas de las familias Mapuches, donde viven los voluntarios del voluntariado en Chile están ubicadas a 5 km. del centro de Temuco.

¿QUÉ OFRECE LA FAMILIA? 

  • Habitación compartida con otros voluntarios
  • Uso de las zonas comunes
  • Las 3 comidas (desayuno, almuerzo y cena) durante tu voluntariado
  • No hay WIFI

La aportación económica se divide en dos partes:

  1. 150€ que entregarás como donación a la asociación Adventure Volunteer.Esta  aportación tiene un beneficio fiscal de 80% que podrás desgravar en la Declaración de Renta. 
  2. La cuota restante del coste del programa irá destinada a la organización contraparte que enviaremos en tu nombre como suplido o lo puedes entregar directamente en el proyecto.
SEMANASDESARROLLO COMUNITARIO
1295€
2 395€
3 515€
+120€

¿QUÉ SE OFRECE EN EL VOLUNTARIADO?

  • Alojamiento durante la estancia de tu voluntariado
  • 3 comidas durante tu voluntariado
  • Apoyo 24/7 del equipo Adventure Volunteer
  • Seguimiento y evaluación del programa
  • Orientación e inducción al proyecto
  • Certificado de semanas realizadas en tu voluntariado
  • Guía, asesoramiento y gestión en la elección del programa
  • Seguro de RC y accidentes
  • Certificado fiscal

¿QUÉ NO SE OFRECE EN EL VOLUNTARIADO?

  • Vuelo hasta Chile (Temuco)
  • Recogida en el aeropuerto (bajo coste)
  • Visado, en caso de ser necesario
  • Transportes internos o excursiones
  • Viajes dentro o fuera del País
  • Seguro médico de viajes
  • Bebidas, dietas y comidas especiales
  • Agua embotellada

For more information, questions or assistance with a colleague of our team you can contact us via phone or Whatsapp here.

The steps to follow to register are as follows:

  • Fill out the form to reserve your volunteering.
  • Wait for our confirmation of availability.
  • Make a 1st donation for the registration to the Adventure Volunteer association.
  • You will receive an email with the volunteer agreement to be completed by you.
  • You will return to us by email all the requested information and you will be able to purchase the flight.
  • A few weeks before you start you will receive information from the local organization.
  • Now you only have to pack your suitcase, you have a whole team that will make everything easier for you and you will be in contact at all times, so you don’t have to worry.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

To be part of the volunteer programs in Sri Lanka, it is not necessary any specific training and it is only required:

  • To be of legal age (possibility minor with guardian or parents).
  • To be a participative and committed person.
  • Be respectful of people, culture and customs.
  • To know how to adapt and work in a team.
  • Criminal record certificate for social work.
  • Sign cooperation agreement and interview with our team.
  • Appropriate clothing for the destination.
  • Knowledge of Spanish.

ACCOMMODATION IN CHILE

The houses of the Mapuche families where the volunteers live in Chile are located 5 km from the center of Temuco.

Volunteer accommodation in Chile

What is the volunteer accommodation like?

  • Shared room with other volunteers.
  • Use of common areas.
  • 3 meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during your volunteering.
  • No WIFI.

The volunteer must be respectful of the customs, traditions, and ways of doing things in each family.
The families offer three meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner or eleven. If the volunteer wishes to bring some food to share with the family, he/she may do so.

It is important for the volunteer to let the families know when he/she is leaving and where he/she will be, as well as the time of arrival.
The volunteer can go out at night, as long as the family knows. However, alcohol abuse is not allowed in this volunteer program.

WHAT WILL THE ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION BE LIKE?

Depending on the means of transportation used by the volunteer to arrive to the volunteer program in Chile, you will be received by a local coordinator of the organization who will welcome you.

Depending on the time of arrival in the country and project facilities, you will be given an orientation of the house, project and activities to be carried out with the family.

Ways of arrival

The commune of Kurarewe is located 140 km from Temuco, capital of the Araucanía Region, where approximately 5 daily flights arrive from Santiago (not international) and 36 km from Pucón, a tourist resort where several bus lines arrive at night from Santiago (approximately 10 hours of travel in very comfortable buses). There is also a direct bus line from Santiago to Kurarewe.

International flights to Santiago de Chile usually arrive early, so if the volunteer wants to take a flight to Temuco that same day he/she can take it.

There is also the option of going to the bus terminal in Santiago and buying a ticket for the night bus to Pucón.


a) Arrival by plane from Santiago:

• Pick up distance from the airport to the house:
One hour and 40 minutes from the airport to Kurarewe.
• Means of pick-up on arrival day at the airport:

There is a transfer from Temuco airport to Pucón, although it is not regular and depends on the minimum number of people requesting the service.
In case we have to pick up the volunteer at the Temuco airport, there is a cost for tolls, fuel and the driver who provides the service. Total 65 €.

b) Arrival by bus from Santiago:
Buses arrive around 09.00 hrs. AM to Pucón, and there are mini buses from Pucón to Kurarewe every 30 minutes.
There is the option of picking up the volunteer at the bus terminal in Pucón. Cost: 25 €.
In general we will try to have someone from our team to pick up the volunteer at the airport or bus terminal in Pucón with a sign.

VISA IN CHILE

For Spanish citizens traveling to Chile for a period of less than three months, the following documents are required:

  • Passport.
  • Round trip ticket.
  • Financial means (Financial solvency).

For stays of up to 90 days you do not need to apply for a visa, whether you are a resident or a Spanish national. In case you plan to extend your volunteer trip, you must apply for an extension to the local authorities, otherwise you may be fined and expelled from the country.

Other nationalities consult the requirements at the Chilean Embassy or Consulate in your country.

SECURITY IN CHILE

In Central America, Chile is considered a safe country. But nothing is perfect, and as in many countries of the world, certain precautions must be taken.

Generally the tourist areas are safe, but we still recommend you to keep these details in mind:

  • Notify your coordinator, in case you are going on an excursion, so that he/she can warn you about the places.
  • Have your coordinator’s phone number and the address where you are staying available in case you need it.
  • Avoid giving out information about where you are staying, the project and your fellow volunteers for safety reasons.
  • Do not bring anyone who is not from the organization to the volunteer’s house.
  • Avoid risky areas in every place you visit.
  • Travel frugally in your daily transfers and excursions.
  • Avoid drawing attention to yourself with jewelry and accessories.
  • If possible, avoid taking out your cell phone in public places.
  • Try to use safe transportation services in the country or services such as Uber or cabs.
  • Avoid walking alone on unfamiliar streets at night.
  • Never take someone you do not know in an unfamiliar vehicle or in your own vehicle.
  • Do not drink any beverage whose origin you do not know.

The financial contribution is divided into two parts:

  1. The registration fee, which you will donate to the Adventure Volunteer association. This contribution has a tax benefit of 80% which you can deduct in your income tax return.
  2. The remaining part of the cost of the programme will go to the partner organisation that we will send on your behalf as a substitute or you can hand it in directly to the project.
WEEKSCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1295€
2 395€
3 515€
Additional120€

What is offered in the volunteering in Chile?

  • Accommodation during your volunteer stay
  • 3 meals during your volunteer placement
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Programme monitoring and evaluation
  • Orientation and induction to the project
  • Certificate of weeks spent volunteering
  • Guidance, advice and management in the choice of the programme
  • Accident and liability insurance
  • Tax certificate

What is not offered in the volunteering in Chile?

  • Flight to Chile (Temuco)
  • Airport pick-up (low cost)
  • Visa, if necessary
  • Internal transport or excursions
  • Travel within or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance
  • Beverages, dietary and special meals
  • Bottled water

How to participate in volunteering in Chile?

STEP 1

Once you fill out the program form, we will verify everything and confirm your place within 24 hours.

STEP 2

The registration fee must be paid within 7 days, then your place will be guaranteed 1 month before the payment of the programme.

SETEP 3

We send you the mandatory insurance and the international volunteer agreement.

Chile, located in the southwest of South America, borders Peru and Bolivia. This country is full of unique and impressive places, you can also visit Easter Island (Rapa Nui) in the Pacific Ocean and the Juan Fernandez Islands.

You can also visit the Atacama Desert, considered one of the driest areas on the planet.

WEATHER

Due to its size and geographical extension, Chile is divided into 3 climatic zones:

  • North: here you find the desert areas and the temperatures can be between 16 °C to 24 °C (60ºF to 75ºF).
  • Center: For summer you find temperatures ranging from 22 °C to 30 °C (22ºF to 86ºF) and in winter temperatures can drop to 15 °C (59ºF).
  • South: The south of Chile is usually rainy and temperatures are usually between 10 °C (50ºF) and 18 °C (64ºF).

CURRENCY

The official currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso.

You can get it at exchange houses, banks or ATMs. When you arrive in Chile at the airport you can make the first change, the rest you can do in the center of Santiago, where you can find many options.

FLIGHT

Your flight must have as destination the Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL).

  • You find flights around 550 euros (round trip).
  • You can find good flight offers at  google flights or skyscanner.

Other companies offering cheap flights: Iberia, Latam Airlines, KLM.

TOURIST PLACES

Easter Island

An island full of an incredible landscape, a culture that maintains the ancestral traditions and beautiful beaches with which any visitor is left without words.

The Easter Islands in Chile are the perfect place to see nature and animals at their best. It has a diversity of fauna and flora, you can see wild horses, sea turtles and a large number of fish of different colors. 

Torres del Paine National Park

Ideal place for ecology and adventure sports lovers. Its wonderful places and the different species you find in Torres del Paine National Park make your trip different.

The park is located in the Magallanes Region and was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978 and is one of the most important parks in Chile.

You can visit these places while in the park:

  • The area of the Horns 
  • Las Torres 
  • Sarmiento Lakes
  • Nordenskjold
  • Grey
  • The Green and Blue Lagoons 

Can you use a foreign currency in the volunteering in Chile?

Some places like hotels or restaurants accept dollars or euros, but anyway be prepared and always have local currency at hand.

Best time to travel to a volunteering in Chile?

If you’re thinking of traveling to Chile for the summer months, we’ll tell you what’s best. If you are passing through the center of Chile, the recommended months for its climate are between November and March. In case you go south, the recommended months are between December and February.

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