Miscellaneous
What is the class system?
Each year, we welcome a new class of volunteers in March, June, September and December. The incoming groups are welcomed to the city and the organization with an informative and fun orientation week. About six weeks after arrival, a weekend retreat occurs, giving the classes, as well as other volunteers within the organization, an opportunity to spend time with each other away from the hustle and bustle of Santiago This class system enables us to train the new volunteers very efficiently and provides them a very good opportunity to unite and bond. These bonds are essential to the harmony of the organization, ensuring that every volunteer has a support network in place as they carry out their work.
PLEASE NOTE-- This year VE Global will be changing the minimum stay requirement and volunteer class schedule. Starting with the class of September 2010, volunteers must commit to a stay of at least four months. As such, our class schedule will work on a trimester system, with incoming volunteer classes in September, January, and May.
Why is 3 months the minimum length of stay?
At first, you may find that three months is a long stay, but once you arrive in Chile, you’ll realize that it takes quite a long time to feel comfortable in the job. At the beginning, everything is new: the city, the culture, the functioning of VE, your work with the children and with your committee. You will need time to adapt and maybe to learn Spanish. And even if you already speak Spanish, you will have to learn the Chilean version!
The most important aspect of your work with VE Global is the interactions you will have with the children. Developing a relationship with these children and creating strong bonds with them also takes time. We strongly recommend that you come for at least 6 months. Part of our volunteers’ work is to develop projects for the children, but above all, the idea it is to be with them. You will spend a lot of hours with the children: you will be like a big brother/sister, you will help them with their homework, take them to the park for a walk, or sometimes even bring them to see the doctor.
Most volunteers find that three months is about the amount of time it takes to get to know the children and gain their trust. From that point on, volunteers can choose to develop new projects based on the interests they know the children have. Volunteers leaving after three months often feel frustrated that although they may feel close to the children, they haven’t had the chance to accomplish everything they had hoped to acheive in their time here. The longer you stay, the closer you’ll feel to the children, and the more progress and positive impact you’ll be able to make on their lives.
VE Global is fiercely committed to providing the children it serves with consistent, long-term mentors; the impact made on the children’s lives by longer-term volunteers is evident as well as inspiring. Bringing short-term volunteers in and out of the children’s lives would be destructive rather than productive; for that we recommend that you spend at least six months with us. We understand that it may be financially challenging to spend half a year or more in another country with no weekly paycheck, but volunteers find that longer stays are always rewarding and worth the penny pinching!
PLEASE NOTE-- This year VE Global will be changing the minimum stay requirement and volunteer class schedule. Starting with the class of September 2010, volunteers must commit to a stay of at least four months. As such, our class schedule will work on a trimester system, with incoming volunteer classes in September, January, and May.
May I send donations?
Yes, we will be happy to receive them. Please visit our donate pages for more details.
Is it possible to adopt a child through VE Global?
No. While many of VE’s institutions are children’s shelters, VE Global has nothing to do with adoption.
How can I be involved with VE Global from my own country?
There are many ways to get more involved with VE from home, including organizing events, talks and conferences. Of course, we are always happy to accept donations as well. Please check back often, as we’re always looking for more ways to involve the global community in VEGlobal. If you have a specific idea about getting involved from abroad, please email recruitment[at] ve-global.org.