Volunteer in Paraguay
Paraguay Overview
Full. Contact us October 2013 for availability.
Volunteer work in Paraguay offers a truly unique insiders glimpse of this little visited country in the heart of South America. Get off the beaten track in Graham Greene country (of books The Honorary Consulate and Travels with my Aunt) in little visited Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay and you will be submersed in another world.
With a strong Indian culture and language (most people are bilingual and speak Spanish and Guarani, pronounced Waranny), set against the quirky faded colonial architecture of this hot and steamy sprawling city, you will forget any other world existed before volunteering in Paraguay.
The volunteer work in Paraguay focuses on a variety of children based projects from street kids projects to community centres offering free and low cost education and fun activities to both disadvantaged city and rural communities. You can really make a difference when you take part in volunteer work in Paraguay. You may find also yourself helping between activities with meal times, keeping the place tidy and general supervising children. Volunteers stay with host families and travel to projects each day. Weekends are free to relax and explore this hidden untouched gem of South America with newly made friends. A trip to the impressive Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian border is also a must when you have finished your volunteer work in Paraguay!
Media from Paraguay
Country: Paraguay
Book your placement with £125. Then pay £125 per week to volunteer in an incredible country in Latin America.
Video - Below you'll find all the videos for Paraguay so you don't have to search around whole the site!
Volunteer pictures
Your memories
We have been sent some of the most lovely photos from volunteers at play and at work, they are truly inspirational.
Photo Album by Sidley Carswell
What next?
If you would like to book over the phone or simply ask more questions please call us on 01603 627 007
See related video ‘How to book’
If you know where and when you want to go, then you can book online.
You can also change your date of arrival or country at any time.
Trip info for Paraguay
Country: Paraguay
Book your placement with £125. Then pay £125 per week to volunteer in an incredible country in Latin America.
Change lives and volunteer in Paraguay 2013 - 2014
Volunteer in Paraguay
Get off the beaten track in South America, with a variety of projects and activities to involve yourself in during the week; you will never be lost for something to do when volunteering in the quirky capital city of Paraguay, Asuncion.
The main role of the volunteer is to bring fresh new ideas for activities with children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Whether you show the children how to play Connect 4, UNO, traditional card games or teach the months of the year or counting; it couldn’t be easier. From working at nurseries, helping at street kid’s projects, teaching English to setting up or assisting in activities, volunteers will have plenty to do.
With very few tourists, be one of the few people to not only visit Paraguay but get to know its hidden customs and unique culture. There is no pressure here, volunteer at your own pace with a friendly support team to help you settle in.
Skills and Experience, You do not need any experience to help in Paraguay. As long as you are able to give compassion and care to the children, you will be fine. Enthusiasm is a great tool for working with the younger children in the nursery.
What's included
Accommodation: Accommodation with a local host family is provided for all participating volunteers. The coordinator will be available for you to contact with any queries and they will organise placement.
We consider this project ideal if you...
- Want an insight into the unique Paraguayan culture in a tourist-free location off-the-backpacker-trail.
- Are an independent or experienced traveller with a pro-active approach to volunteering.
- Really want to make a difference to the lives of underprivileged children.
- Are thinking of combining this project with either our Brazil project (only 3 hours away by bus, approx. £5) or Argentina project( 24 hours, approx. £70), or Peru (flight to Cuzco or 3-4 days overland on the backpacking route via Bolivia).
What's not included
Flights
Insurance
Return Airport transfer
Local Transport around Paraguay
Meals
Highlights
A varied schedule is organised for you
Bringing new much needed ideas and energy
A unique visit to a unique country
Food
Paraguay is a self-catering project. Most volunteers tend to eat out as it is very affordable there. A basic meal in a local café can cost 40p. Cafés and shops are close by and are easy to get to. There are also food stands selling things from chicken to hotdogs.
Accommodation
Accommodation is a shared volunteer apartment on the outskirts of Asuncion. There are three dormitory style bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, lounge and outdoor space.
Free time
Only 4 hours away via coach, volunteers can take their free day off to visit the Falls in Foz. To the south, the most popular place to visit is the Jesuit ruins. It is easy to book a tour here via the local tourist office after arrival. In hotter months, the local custom is to get into the countryside, to local beauty spots and spend a weekend camping, swimming in the streams that usually run through the campsite. Your local co-ordinator will be able to make suggestions and help you organise.
Getting around
Buses are the main form of transport in Asuncion. The volunteer house is situated on the main road into the city, buses pass frequently. A trip into town will cost approximately 30p each way.
Health
There is a doctor close by and a hospital should you need the use of one, the co-ordinators will help you with your transfer there.
What to take
Once you have applied and registered with Original Volunteers, you will receive an Information Pack via email that will have further details on the project in Morocco; in this email there will be a list of items to take and items that are best not to take.
When to pay for this project
Accommodation for Morocco is paid before you travel. The latest in which to do this is about two weeks before your departure. In order to pay, all you need do is ring us on 01603 627 007 and using your bank details, pay for your accommodation over the phone with one of our advisors.
Fast facts - Project information
Project Duration: Min 1 week - Max 4 weeks
Project Costs: Free accommodation provided
Location of project: Nemby and surrounding areas
Arrival Airport: Asuncion
Activities: General care for children, supervising, one-to-one praise and affection
Working Hours: Full time. Weekends free.
Getting to the project: Airport pick-up and transfer to the volunteer house is automatically arranged for all volunteers once flights have been received.
Requirements: Minimum age 18
On arrival
The nearest airport to the project is Asuncion. Once you arrive at Asuncion airport, there will be a local co-ordinator waiting to pick you up and take you to the volunteer accommodation. When you arrive at the placement, the co-ordinator will place you all together in different groups of volunteers; this way you are never alone and will make lots of new friends. For volunteers arriving by bus from Argentina or Brazil, directions are provided before arrival.
Local support
A local support team are always on hand and available when needed.
Project resources and advice
Any extra resources that volunteers wish to bring are welcomed and appreciated from activity books, colouring books to basic education books, any arts and crafts materials and games.
Not on your own
Although some volunteers travel with friends, the bigger majority travel alone. It is possible to get in contact with other volunteers before your travel, and a lot of people tend to do this. Some volunteers even plan to travel together and set this up themselves before they depart.
Local facilities
Large modern supermarket, cafés, internet are all within walking distance from where you will be staying. Shopping centres, cafés, bars, restaurants, shops and banks are available in the centre of Asuncion and are all easy to reach by bus, which pass frequently outside the volunteer apartment.
Things that you will need to organise yourself
Flights to Asuncion
For overland travellers, pick-up from bus station is not available. Easy to follow instructions that direct you to the meeting point are provided before arrival
Travel Insurance
Any resources you wish to bring
Food
How to apply
It is quick an easy to book with Original Volunteers. You can book online or call us on now on 01603 627 007 and book over the phone.
See related video ‘How to book’.
It costs £125 to book. Once book you can go to as many placements as you want within a year without having to pay the booking fee of £125 again.
The booking fee instantly books and reserves your place for any month you choose .We are very flexible. Just let us know if your plans change and spaces permitting we will put you on another list.
Paraguay at a glance
Paraguay is a landlocked country in the heart of South America.
Argentina borders Paraguay to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast and Bolivia borders it to the northwest. It is a country of fascinating contrasts and boasts exotic natural reserves and massive man-made dams. The capital and largest city in Paraguay is Asuncion, where much of the historical section, with its charming colonial buildings and plazas, are near the river and easily walkable. Between 1904 and 1954, Paraguay had thirty-one presidents. For a glimpse into Paraguayan history watch the 1986 historical film The Mission starring Jeremy Irons and Robert De Niro.
Paraguay is one of South America's least densely populated countries and in 2009 the population was estimated at 6.3 million with around 60% living in poverty. Paraguay's economy revolves around agriculture and the official language is Spanish.
Please note: A police check/CRB is required to access this programme. If you do not hold a recent CRB, advice on obtaining a police check is provided upon application.
Climate
In Paraguay, the summer months are from November to March and temperatures typically reach 30 Degrees Celsius. The winter is from June to September, although temperatures can still reach 25 Degrees Celsius.
Time difference to the UK: -5hrs