Free (or Cheap) Volunteer Work in El Salvador
| advert | Stay Free as a House Sitter. The Win Win for Pet Lovers That Travel
There isn’t quite as much going on for international volunteers in El Salvador as there is in other countries in the region.
Grassroots Volunteering in El Salvador
The organisations listed below have either got in touch with us to add their details to this or another of our websites, or we otherwise have reason to believe they are actively looking for international volunteers and charge reasonable or no fees to join in, live and work with them:
Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad
www.cis-elsalvador.org
The CIS is a multi-faceted organisation, with many programs supporting education, organizing, and social justice. They are looking for people committed to solidarity and social justice to participate in their programmes. During elections CIS seeks volunteer election observers but generally are looking for English teachers and a grassroot organising intern. Election volunteers must be able to speak Spanish conversationally while English teachers must speak English as if it were their first language. Volunteers usually must make a commitment of at least 10 weeks.
Where: San Salvador.
Accommodation & Costs: English teachers and grassroots organising volunteers are required to pay a $100 programme fee. Assistance is given in finding housing within a network of Salvadoran host families. Monthly living expenses are estimated to be approximately $400. Costs are higher for short term election volunteers but those volunteering for three months are only required to cover their own living expenses, estimated at around $120 per week.
Teaching You
www.teachingyou.org
This programme offers the possibility for native English speakers to help with teaching in a public school at primary or secondary education level to students from economically disadvantaged families. Volunteers work with experienced teachers, teaching other subjects, including sports, dance, and computing, as well as English.
Where: Santa Tecla, La Libertad.
Accommodation & Costs: Fees begin at $325 for two weeks and go up to $1450 for 24 weeks. Additional weeks are $50. Accommodation with a local family or in a volunteer house is provided.
Other Opportunities to Volunteer in El Salvador
Variously called the Organic Bubble in El Salvador or the Hare Krishna Organic House, this organic farm and educational centre located at the site of a former Hare Krishna Temple can be found between San Salvador and Santa Ana. Along with the permaculture and recycling activities that would be expected on an organic farm, there is also the chance to get involved in teaching English or computer skills. Food and accommodation is provided but they ask for a $10 a day contribution to help support their students. For a first hand account of volunteering here read Mike and Ashley Lenzen’s blogpost in the Volunteer Experiences section below.
Help Exchange Networks in El Salvador
Volunteer Latin America – https://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com/volunteer-abroad/el-salvador
Workaway – https://www.workaway.info/hostlist-SV.html
Other Ways to Travel or Stay for Free in El Salvador
Stay free in return for caring for local residents’ homes or pets. Join Trusted Housesitters to live rent free as a house sitter.
Volunteer Experiences*
Organic El Salvador – Mike and Ashley Lenzen hooked up with an El Salvadorean-American couple who established their organic farm to help local kids.
* not all these volunteer experiences are with grassroots NGOs or low cost organisations
Image courtesy Enrique Bravo
Get Our Newsletter. It's Where The Jobs Abroad Are