Volunteer in South America

To volunteer in South America was something I had decided to do before I set out to this amazing continent. I also knew I was going to do volunteer work in Brazil before I went to South America, I had read numerous articles about street child problems there and I felt the need to at least give a helping hand for some time.

When I arrived in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, in December I immediately went in search of an organization. There are some very well funded street child care centers that offer volunteer work but when I visited them I got told that they did not need volunteers during the holidays (I always thought this a bit strange as street children never have holidays). But I didn't give up.

At one point I got the address of an independent street child care center in Baixa do Fiscal, a neighborhood in the favelas of Salvador. The center is called CEAMAC (Centro de Apoio ao Menor e ao Adolescente Carente) and is led by Luiz Santana (a former street child himself) with very little resources.

I stayed at CEAMAC for six weeks and it's still the most rewarding experience of my life. The love that I received from the wonderful children can not be put in words. I can highly recommend engaging yourself in volunteer work in South America if your heart is up to it.

www.volunteersouthamerica.net is an excellent website that lists free and low-cost volunteer work in South America. The site is designed for backpackers / independent travelers looking for a real volunteer experience abroad.

Street child care centers in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru will be delighted to see you offering a helping hand and to make a difference in the life of a child.

© All photographs by Mark Van Overmeire