Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
14 Jan 2025
Reply rate
96.9 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
8
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Details
Description
Hello! We are a charitably run school just outside of San Gil, Santander, catering to children, teens and adults with any type of disability in the area. We have between 25-30 students, two-thirds of which stay at the school during the week as internal students, as many have difficult home situations. We offer the children an opportunity to attend school, recieve an education and make friends, which is not possible for them in the public system. The school is a place of safety and love for these children, they love coming to school every week and we love being with them, it truly is an amazing experience just being around them all!
San Gil is a medium sized town in one of the most beautiful areas of Colombia. Somewhat off the tourist trail, here you can discover the Chicamocha Canyon, gorgeous waterfalls, divine natural swimming holes and experience many adventure sports such as paragliding and white-water rafting! It is also very close to the Magic Town of Barichara, which should be a staple on any traveller's list.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Teaching
Babysitting and creative play
Interests
Charity work
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The school employs a fully Colombian staff, so if you aren't a native spanish speaker yet then get ready to vastly improve your language skills! The staff and children are very proud of their heritage and will love to share with you lots of knowledge about Colombian culture, it isn't uncommon for the volunteers and staff to become good friends! Volunteers will also gain a priceless experience being around a group of people who are truly the embodiment of love, many volunteers have reported the best experience of their entire trip at the school.
During the weekend you're welcome to stay at the school but we suggest staying in a hostel in San Gil as there isn't much to do at the school on weekends, and plenty to do in and around town! That way you can see lots of one of the most beautiful and interesting departments of Colombia, Santander. I am more than happy to assist with weekend plans around San Gil, it is the most beautiful area in Colombia!
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We need someone who can provide love, care and attention to these amazing kids. Whilst experience working in disability would be amazing, it is not at all required. All we do require is patience, love and a great sense of fun. Be ready to receive a hundred hugs on your arrival! Your duties will involve helping the teachers while they run their classes, the kids are great but definitely easily distracted so just being there and trying to help keep a bit of order is a great help! The classes involve some class tasks, art, music, sport, equinotherapy (horse therapy), hydrotherapy (pool therapy) and time on the playground.
Languages
Languages spoken
Spanish: Fluent
English: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Minimum Intermediate Spanish required. You may message me in English, Spanish or French as I am a past volunteer, but at the school you will have to be able to converse in 100% Spanish.
Accommodation
We offer a private room with a single bed and a bathroom for volunteer and staff use only. We also offer breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
Three meals and two daily snacks will be provided each day. Meals are had as a group and culturally we expect the meals to be shared together. We cater to different dietary requirements but if the volunteer requires we also provide use of our kitchen.
What else ...
The school is a catholic organisation run by nuns but we accept volunteers of any orientation. We cater to any dietary requirements but also allow volunteers to use the kitchen to prepare their own food if they would like to.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (4)
The project is also very well described and after the telephone meeting with Evan you are well prepared for what to expect.
The project is definitely a great opportunity to gain… read more
I spent a month at this place and would definitely recommend staying at least two weeks to get to know everyone better and to really get into the routine.
The day starts quite early- you do have a private room but since the kids sleep in the dorm right next door it can get very loud.
Classes start at… read more
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.5)
The project is also very well described and after the telephone meeting with Evan you are well prepared for what to expect.
The project is definitely a great opportunity to gain… read more
I spent a month at this place and would definitely recommend staying at least two weeks to get to know everyone better and to really get into the routine.
The day starts quite early- you do have a private room but since the kids sleep in the dorm right next door it can get very loud.
Classes start at… read more
