Sports Coaching, Cordoba

Overview

Leonardo Bigi, a former Argentinian rugby player became a trainer and then had an ambitious idea! Leonardo brought together his beloved sport and his aim of helping poor children and youngsters from the slum neighbourhoods located on the outskirts of Cordoba City.

Leonardo met with Mrs Rosa Monuet, an active member of the community and worked with her to set up an active sport programme for both boys and girls in the area.

The discipline and team spirit of these sports projects is greatly beneficial to the children’s lives. It helps to eliminate their negativity and aggression and channels a more positive and active outlook on their lives. As meals are provided after training, the programme has also really helped to improve the children’s physical condition.

Villa del Libertador receives little support or funding, so volunteers are vital to keep this amazing project running.

What's included?

• Pre-departure information and advice
• In-country assistance and support
• 24-hour emergency contacts
• In-country induction or training
• Airport pick up only

 

What's NOT included?

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
• Monthly stipend

 

Volunteers with a basic or low Intermediate Spanish level can attend a Spanish Language School in Cordoba. For you to gain the most out of this programme, a language course is advisable.

During this period you will meet many other students and be involved in social and recreational activities. Not only will this help you improve your Spanish level, but it will allow you to meet new friends in Argentina, even before moving on to your project.

The costs per week of the language school is outlined below.

 

Language school costs per week	Price
Hours per week
20 hours- max students x8	£150.00
Individual- 10 hours	£170.00

Location

Cordoba is the second largest city in Argentina. In the old Town you will have the chance to see the rich Spanish colonial heritage with its many old churches, traditional buildings and the well known National University of Cordoba (UNC).

Due to the proximity of the mountains, the city is placed perfectly for excursions to “Sierras de Cordoba” or to the “Pampass” just 50km to the South. Cordoba has a vibrant cultural scene and you will enjoy the famous kindness and hospitality of the “Cordobeses.”

Project life and Photos

On arrival in Cordoba you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your host family where you will be staying for the duration of your programme. The following day you will be greeted by one of your project coordinators and given a full orientation on the country, local area, customs and the project itself.

There are plenty of activities in which you can help.  From sport training, teaching and playing rugby and hockey, teaching English to helping in the soup kitchen, you will always be busy.

 

Activities include :

• Organising and helping in activities such as training and playing rugby and hockey
• Various activities to improve the quality of life for the children in the slum areas
• Helping in the soup kitchen to provide meals for the children
• Supporting with basic English teaching including translating promotional texts
• Various tasks to maintain the hockey and Rugby pitches
• Caring and accompanying female victims of abuse and domestic violence

As with many volunteering projects, your personal input is always appreciated and greatly valued.

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Flights, transportation and visas

International flights and travel are not included, but an airport collection from one of your project coordinators will be pre arranged for you.

There is an efficient and regular public transport system across the city allowing you to explore the local area with your time off. Information about buying a weekly travel pass and other tickets will be given during your orientation.

 

CIBT Visa advice... For expert visa advice we advise our volunteer, work placement, and internship participants to get in touch with CIBT - a company that we work in partnership with. Our UK, Canadian, and US travellers can use CIBT for visa advice and to get their visa applications processed - with visas returned within a week. UK travellers can contact CIBT for visa advice. Canadian participants can contact CIBT for visa advice or call Toll Free: 888-665-9956 US participants can contact CIBT for visa advice or call Toll Free: 800-577-2428 Canadian citizens should state account number: 57497 US citizens should state account number: 57496

Dates and duration

This project is open to Volunteers from March to November. We advise that you arrive in Cordoba on a Saturday or Sunday.

You will be collected from the airport by your project coordinator, and taken to your Host Family accommodation where you can rest up prior to the start of your Language School and Orientation on Monday.

Available dates:

Please check availability with a Twin Work & Volunteer travel advisor. Call 0800 80 483 80 or contact us.

Safety and insurance

Cordoba city instills a sense of security because of the constant movement in the streets. There is a strong tourist presence and since the economic crisis of 2011 a strong tourism infrastructure has developed. Argentinians are used to seeing foreigners and the country is well equipped to handle the growing tourist and expat population.

Hospitals in Argentina offer both private and public services. The medical staff are equipped to deal with emergency situations.

• All of Twin Work & Volunteer's placements are in partnership with recognised and established local organisations, run by or employing local people. These organisations, depending on the nature of what they do, might be small-scale NGOs, family projects, schools or orphanages, or local initiatives with environmental or social goals.
• We often use local businesses to provide logistical and support services to volunteers such as transfers, pick-ups, accommodation and so on. In this way, we support the local economy through helping independent local businesses to thrive. We take our partnerships very seriously and work extremely closely with all our partners.
• We provide 24-hour emergency support from the UK and our partners provides support locally.
• We have an agreement with the crisis management service Tranquillico, should the very worst situations arise.
• If any wider safety concerns arise in the destination, such as civil disturbances or natural disasters, we seek advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and implement their recommendations where appropriate.

 

Insurance options... Comprehensive insurance is available for all programmes. You have no obligation to take up insurance with any of these companies, but insurance of a suitable sort is mandatory on all our programmes. For UK participants: Here are the full details of our partnership with Endsleigh. For American and Canadian participants: We offer insurance options with International Volunteer Card (IVC).

Eligibility

• Minimum 18 years of age 
• Intermediate level of Spanish
• The most important points for the success of the volunteer program are your flexibility, good communicational skills, and the willingness to get immersed and adapt to a different background and culture.

Accommodation and Food

During the Spanish course, volunteers will stay with a host family near the Spanish school. Later, when starting with the program, you may stay in the same accommodation or move to another location closer to where the project is located.
Various accommodation options for this course are outlined below, please speak to one of our Travel Advisers to find the most suitable option for you.

Accommodation costs per week	Price
Homestay: Private room half board	£125.00
Homestay: Private room and breakfast	£105.00
Shared house: Shared room and breakfast	£95.00

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