Information
Where does VE Global work:
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VE Global
Santiago, Chile
VE Global (VE) recruits, trains and organizes a global network of volunteers to achieve our vision of equality of educational and social opportunity for at-risk children in Chile. VE has successfully integrated nearly 400 full-time volunteers from more than 35 countries into our network of 8 local children shelters, community centers, and schools in the poorest neighborhoods of Santiago. With an average on-the-ground presence of 25 full-time and 5 part-time volunteers, VE provides more than 70,000 hours of support each year, and serves more than 300 children daily.
VE strives to contribute to a brighter future for both the volunteer and the child, a goal which is achieved by preparing volunteers to become energetic teachers and effective positive role models for the children. Utilizing an innovative training philosophy that combines real-world experience, organic project creation, and progressive training sessions, VE prepares volunteers to be effective social entrepreneurs and pro-active, socially conscious global citizens during their tenure in Chile and beyond.
VE volunteers have a truly transformational volunteer experience, and develop a strong foundation of valuable life skills that serve them long after they leave VE. By combining the desire for a better world with the determination for concrete results, VE not only dreams of change; it creates change.
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Current Projects
Volunteer highlights: The skills our volunteers learn during their volunteer program help them become strong mentors and educators for the children. Our workshops and programs are hosted in all the social service organizations we serve and are geared toward encouraging the children to learn while having fun.
- Volunteer training sessions: Volunteers are taught by qualified social workers, educators and community leaders through a series of monthly training sessions on relevant topics such as: Chile’s education and child protection systems, social work practices, related history of Chile and current events that affect the work we do.
- Children’s workshops: VE offers volunteers the opportunity to develop and submit workshop proposals based on the needs that volunteers see at their placements in the children’s homes, community centers and schools we serve. Volunteer workshops vary greatly based on interest and have ranged from introducing the children to synchronized swimming and career days to learning how to cook food from the volunteer’s home country.
- Committee projects: In addition to the work volunteers do with the children, they have the opportunity to work directly with the VE staff on operational or resource development projects. Administrative projects depend on the needs of the organization, but can include anything from implementing the children´s programming to helping with fundraising and public relations.
Children's programming
Our children´s programs are implemented year-round by our volunteers. These programs were developed to offer additional educational activites and motivational support for the children we serve.
- Liga de Deportes: Our monthly health and wellness league offers children a safe outlet to engage in games and competitive sports, while building their self-esteem and knowledge about healthy living.
- ¡Vamos a Leer!: During the summer, we host our literacy program to show the children the joy in reading. We encourage the children to select their own books and motivate them to finish the stories they choose, giving them a sense of individual achievement and helping improve their overall reading proficiency. We finish the program by throwing Carnaval, an exciting festival to celebrate their achievements.
- Festival de Arte: To celebrate artwork that children and volunteers create together during ongoing art workshops, VE hosts an art festival twice a year, providing a supportive space to build children’s confidence and show off their creativity.
- English in Motion: Chilean school children are required to learn English; our English program provides a fun, interactive way to support what the kids learn in class. Practicing grammar might be a game of Simon Says, and learning vocabulary could have the children off on a scavenger hunt. Lessons vary depending on the volunteer, but they are always educational and entertaining.
Financial Needs
Our costs related to the children are the costs of our programs and workshops. For instance, Liga de deportes, our monthly sports day, typically costs between $70.00 - $95.00 USD for transportation cost to the gym and a healthy afternoon snack for 30 children.
Monthly costs for varied workshops in the institutions vary greatly, from as little as $60.00 to as much as $150.00. These cover projects planned by the volunteers related to art, theater, dance, sports, cooking, small field trips and more.
The cost of running the programs and workshops can change a lot from month to month. For instance, in January 2010, we spent $248 and in February 2010, we spent $512. Programs running in those months are ¡Vamos a Leer! (which culminates in a fun carnival for the kids, as a reward for achieving their reading goals) and Festival de Arte.
Mission Statement
We foster the development of children at social risk in Chile by training and empowering volunteers to serve as positive role models, educators and advocates of social justice.