Promotion and Coordination of the Patagonia Volunteer Project

Volunteering Placement Code: 003-AR-CHT-ESQ-CI

City/Province/Country: Esquel - Chubut - Argentina

Host Organization Description: MAPU Association is a young non-profit, founded in Madrid, Spain, in April 2006. The main objective of MAPU Association is to encourage and promote cooperation and development projects within the communities of Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia in order to foster local self-sufficiency, augment the locals´ resources, and improve their capabilities for positive and sustainable development.

Patagonia Volunteer is a program developed by MAPU Association as a community, social and environmental development tool in the frame of International Cooperation. Its goal is to offer solutions to the locals’ needs, problems and social interests, while contributing to fostering fairer relations between this southern region and the developed countries of the north.

Volunteering Placement Description: MAPU Association seeks the cooperation of volunteers to help MAPU with daily tasks in its Patagonian base in Argentina, in the city of Esquel, Chubut province. The main responsibilities of this volunteering placement include coordinating and assisting volunteers travelling to Patagonia as well as communicating regularly with local host organizations.

Regarding the coordination of volunteers, you will carry out the following tasks:

• answering e-mails in Spanish, English and/or German
• gathering and systematizing useful information for volunteers
• assisting with and suggesting new material for the Orientation Workshop
• following-up with volunteers during their stay in Patagonia
• organizing the language exchange program among locals and international volunteers
• searching for new volunteers and regular members for MAPU
• promoting the Patagonia Volunteer project, etc.

Regarding the contact with host organizations, the activities include:

• following-up with host organizations which are currently working with international volunteers
• organizing workshops and preparation for host organizations which have never worked with volunteers and require some previous orientation
• searching for and contacting new host organizations, etc.

General Activities: coordination of the community of the MAPU Association website; search, follow-up and contact with local host families, etc.

Objectives: The objective of this placement is for you to help the Patagonia Volunteer project function efficiently and to help promote its values, ideals, and goals.

Requirements: For this volunteering placement you need to be flexible, proactive, creative, sociable and self-sufficient when developing activities. You need to have good command of the Office package (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word), of the internet and of the general workings of the computer, at user level. There are no specific requisites regarding studies and/or previous experience.

Languages: Advanced level of Spanish and English or German

Minimum and Maximum Length: 2 months minimum, flexible maximum

Ideal Start Date: Flexible

Timetable: 20 to 25 weekly hours, from Monday to Friday, normally during the afternoon

Last Page Update: June 2008

Comments from Former International Cooperation Volunteers

In Esquel I helped MAPU promote the Patagonia Volunteer project. My most important activities were updating the website with new content and pictures, and helping to spread the word about the organization and local issues through various methods. My volunteer experience allowed me to obtain not only an in-depth understanding of local problems, but also the opportunity to be a part of the solution.

MAPU is a great organization because it is small and well-organized, so you are sure to be doing something interesting and unique. You will also be working towards a better future for the local population and environment by letting other people around the world know about the injustice that occurs here.

Raphael - France - May/June 2008

During 1.5 months I supported Asociación MAPU in its daily tasks in the base in Esquel. My volunteer work was extremely varied and every day there were new and different tasks. For instance, I worked in public relations and I gave an interview in a local radio station with other members of Asociación MAPU. I also updated the website and answered e-mails in several languages. The regular contact with the local host organizations was what I liked most. I was able to gain insights into many interesting projects and fields of work.

I can warmly recommend this volunteer placement to anyone who would like to gain a detailed insight in international cooperation and the mode of operation of a project in this area. Through this volunteering with its diverse range of activities I gained valuable experience for future occupations.

Sarah - Switzerland - July/August 2007

Pictures of the Patagonia Volunteer Project