CoordinatorInternship
Rec Centre (REC)
Recreational and Educational Centre Coordinator
Lead day-to-day life at the REC, supporting our four HELP coordinators and reaching out to new families.
- Min. 3 months
- 20–25 hrs/week
- Spanish: advanced
VolunteerMulti-projectInternship available
Multi-Project Volunteer
Work across our HELP programmes at the REC, from English and environmental education to sport, crafts and literacy.
- Hours a week
- 20–25
- Minimum stay
- 4 weeks
- Age
- 18+
About the role
Multi-project volunteers are the heartbeat of our Recreational and Educational Centre (REC) in Cerrito de la Virgen, an informal settlement on the edge of Huanchaco. You'll spend one to four days a week at the REC, supporting all four HELP programmes: English, Environment, Youth and Literacy.
Around that, you can choose from a mix of other projects, such as homework support, English classes at the library and in local schools, Global Glow girls' clubs (for Spanish speakers), helping at the Huanchaquito dog shelter or renovating a pre-school playground.
It's a hands-on role with lots of Spanish around you, so it's ideal if you already speak some or want to improve. If you have the right skills, it can also be a stepping stone to becoming a HELP Project Coordinator.
What you'll do
- Help our Project Coordinators teach classes at the REC: English, environmental education, youth sessions and Spanish literacy
- Supervise children during sport, skateboarding, crafts and games
- Join a selection of our partner projects, depending on your interests and availability
- Bring fresh ideas to improve the programme and the space
- Plan upcoming activities at the weekly meeting with your fellow volunteers and coordinator
What we provide
- Personal pick-up when you arrive, plus a walking tour of Huanchaco
- A thorough introduction to OCN and how we work
- Certified training in first aid and child safeguarding
- 24/7 emergency support
- Organised activities: barbecues, games nights, the weekly volunteer lunch and more
- A certificate of completion detailing your role, projects and dates
Skills & experience
- Experience of teaching or working with children (desirable)
- An empathetic, responsible and open-minded personality
- Able to work well as part of a team
- Energy to keep up with active children
Requirements
- Age 18+ on arrival
- Spanish: none required, but helpful
- Time commitment: 4 weeks
- A current background check from your home country
- Want to improve your Spanish? We can arrange classes before you travel (online) or during your stay.
- Longer stays are preferred, so you can really get to know the community and grow into your role.
- Students can take this role as an internship, with extra mentoring and all the communication your university needs for a placement year or credit.
Safeguarding comes first
Our projects work with children and other vulnerable people, so every volunteer provides a current background check from their home country and completes our first aid and child safeguarding training.
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