Q: Could you give us a short background on Amigos de Las Americas:
A: Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) builds partnerships to empower young leaders, advance community development and strengthen multicultural understanding in the Americas.
In 1965 several hundred young people from Houston volunteered part of their summer to fight a growing epidemic of polio in rural Honduras. Their efforts protected thousands of lives from the crippling disease, while establishing new friendships between the people of Honduras and the United States. This first group of AMIGOS Volunteers returned home far more mature, appreciative of other cultures, and aware of the personal benefits of helping others. Their success underscored that young people can make a positive difference in the world.
Out of that summer AMIGOS was born and since 1965, it has consistently maintained a strong tradition of empowering young people to take leadership roles through community service in their home communities and in Latin America. Today approximately 730 young leaders annually participate in various AMIGOS Latin American programs through which they, their adult mentors, and their host communities forge friendships that last a lifetime.
Through the years, AMIGOS' community service programs have evolved to meet the changing health needs of rural Latin America. AMIGOS conducts programs in partnership with highly respected international development agencies, local non-profit and government agencies, and host communities.
Q: What are some volunteer opportunities you offer? Do you have any volunteer opportunities you are particularly proud of?
A: Examples of Volunteers’ Activities in Latin America:
| Project | Focus | Specifics |
| Family Health Promotion | Emphasize food safety, nutrition and upper respiratory health | Construct fuel-efficient stoves, nutrition education, promote folic acid intake to prevent anemia |
| Healthy Households | Improve household environment; reduce the transmission of infectious disease | Construct latrines, safe water storage containers, cement floors, fuel-efficient and pollutant-reducing stoves, and grain storage sheds, among other healthy household modifications |
| Healthy Communities | Build capacity, confidence and cohesion within specific community groups (youth, women, community committees) to identify, plan and implement community improvement initiatives | Form local youth groups, women’s groups and school clubs. |
| Youth-to-Youth Community Development | Empower local youth to be involved in their communities and appreciated for their contributions and gifts | Facilitate workshops for children and young people that focus on team-building, creative expression, environmental health, and healthy habits. |
AMIGOS distinguishes itself by requiring youth to participate in extensive training prior to volunteering in Latin America. The focus of this training includes:
- leadership development: activities in which youth are given increasing levels of management responsibilities to independently plan, implement and evaluate projects
- participatory training: educational approaches that emphasize active participation in service-learning projects and promote effective interpersonal communication
- community service: hands-on opportunities that demonstrate the value of service to others and that foster a life-long interest in civic engagement and volunteerism
- community engagement: developing skills in working with diverse sectors of society, making sound decisions and applying effective problem-solving techniques
- multicultural understanding: activities that underscore the importance of respecting diversity of beliefs, culture, and values, developing positive relationships with people of varied backgrounds and achieving fluency in Spanish or Portuguese
AMIGOS is unique in offering Volunteers the opportunity to ascend a leadership ladder and become Project Supervisors, Associate Project Directors and Project Directors, collectively known as Project Staff. During AMIGOS’ leadership training and experiential learning, these young adults acquire skills to: supervise Volunteers; protect the health and safety of Volunteers; develop positive community relations; and direct projects, including financial and staff management.
Q: What kind of daily life should prospective volunteers expect?
A: Volunteers in the AMIGOS program are placed in mostly rural communities with one or two project partners. Except for project-wide orientation, mid-term break, and debriefing after the program, Volunteers spend all of their time in-country in their host communities. Because AMIGOS Volunteers only are placed in groups of 2-3, they more easily develop relationships and working partnerships with community members than if they were in a large group. Some host communities do not have electricity and/or running water, which means that Volunteers really do experience what life in rural Latin America is like.
Volunteers are placed in host families in their communities. Volunteers may live with their partners, or may be in separate homes. Daily meals are provided by the host family or other members of the community. It is common for Volunteers to be on a rotating meal schedule, in which they eat with many families within their community to build relationships and extend their sphere of contact.
Volunteers spend their days collaborating with children, adults, and partnering agencies on the development projects. They will be constantly interacting with host community members and will participate in any and all festivals, parties, and dances that happen in their community. Most Volunteers attend birthday parties, play sports with the local youth, and spend time with their host families outside of their project work.
Q: What is the most important piece of advice you can offer future volunteers?
A: Prepare yourself by learning as much as possible about the project, location, and culture as you can before leaving. Time and time again, we have seen that AMIGOS Volunteers are able to be effective promoters of community development because of the extensive training they receive before leaving for their projects.
Another important piece of advice is to leave your expectations at home when you leave for your volunteer opportunity. Volunteering will touch you in ways you could never imagine, so try and stay open to the full experience.
Q: What is the biggest challenge while volunteering abroad?
A: I would say the biggest challenge while volunteering abroad would be to avoid making assumptions or generalizations based on just what the volunteer sees during that short amount of time in a different country. Just like the United States, every country has a variety of people, traditions, and ways of life, and it is important for the volunteer to keep their mind and eyes open to that diversity.
Q: On the flip side, what is the biggest reward?
A: The biggest reward to volunteering abroad depends on the Volunteer himself/herself. Each AMIGOS Volunteers comes away with different lessons and experiences. Most cite a greater appreciation for their families and blessings in life, a greater understanding of what life is like outside of their home country, and greater self-confidence and self-knowledge that they can use to move forward in achieving their life goals.
Q: Why should they pay to volunteer with Amigos de Las Americas? How is the money used?
A: In order to carry out sustainable development work in Latin America, an investment in supplies, training, and accommodations must be made. Although AMIGOS strives to keep its program fee as low as possible, supporting the successful network of projects in Latin America that truly make a difference in the communities requires resources. 85% of the program fee paid by Volunteers to AMIGOS goes towards the Latin American programs budget. AMIGOS also provides extensive training prior to the projects, which more fully prepares Volunteers for the rigors and experiences they will find in Latin America. Providing this valuable training requires resources as well.
The AMIGOS program fee for 2005 is $3650, which includes international transportation from the departure city (Houston or Miami), to Latin America, program supplies, in-country expenses such as transportation, food, housing, and training materials, and short-term health insurance. Volunteers are responsible for the additional costs of domestic airfare to the departure city, required immunizations, visa and passport fees, and any extra spending money they may want for souvenirs, etc.
Q: How does volunteering abroad fit into the bigger picture of aid and development?
A: Volunteerism not only drives development efforts in many regions of our world, but it also has a beneficial effect on those that participate. AMIGOS Volunteers promote sustainable development projects that truly make a difference in the lives of host community members. By involving community members in all stages of project development and implementation, Volunteers ensure ownership within the community is fostered and pride in the outcomes empowers the community to continue development efforts. Successful development must involve those who live in the areas being targeted, and Volunteers able to live in host communities and provide the means to inspire positive change and growth.
Q: Why should someone volunteer with Amigos de Las Americas?
A: AMIGOS offers unparalleled training and leadership opportunities to our Volunteers. Instead of hosting large groups of Volunteers, we place our participants in small partnerships so that they can easily develop relationships with community members and quickly increase their Spanish language abilities. Instead of seeing the touristy side of the country, AMIGOS Volunteers live to rural areas and directly experience the true nature of life in Latin America. AMIGOS is a life-changing program, and our Volunteers return home more mature, self-confident, and ready to make a difference in their world.
Q: How can someone get in contact with Amigos de Las Americas and learn more about your volunteer abroad opportunities?
A: They can either call 1-800-231-7796 or visit our website at amigoslink.org to request an informational packet and application.
Q: Do you have any advice on funding a volunteer experience abroad?
A: AMIGOS offers scholarships and has designed a complete fundraising booklet to guide Volunteers in their fundraising efforts. We provide templates, materials, and support for all Volunteers to assist them in raising the full program fee. Most Volunteers are able to fundraise their entire fee, limiting the demands for personal or family contributions.
