Care for Children at a Children’s Hospital in Argentina

The children attending Fundacion C have nutrition problems and require feeding every 3 hours. Sometimes the mothers also stay in the hospital with their children and they are taught how to give the children what they need in the way of nutrition to that when they leave the hospital, they hopefully won't ever have to come back. Each child has a very specific amount and type of food/formula that is prepared and labeled especially for that child at every mealtime. The children's weight, height and growth is monitored very closely during their stay and outpatient children also have their diet at home monitored.

You’ll work for as many hours as you choose, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. We suggest you work for about 3-4 hours a day, at least 3 days per week. However, you can work anything up to 7 days a week if you wish!

Some of the work you'll be involved with includes:

• Helping in the kitchen - this means preparing the meals to specific formulae for each child to combat that particular child's nutritional needs to ensure their recovery
• Serving the food, taking care to ensure that each child receives the food and/or formula mix that has been specially prepared for them. Generally, these undernourished children need feeding every 2 to 3 hours.
• Helping to feed those children whose mothers are unable to be at the hospital to help them eat.
• Playing with the children.

Playing with the children and entertaining them, as well as giving them love, attention and care, is a very important aspect of the project. The majority of children range from a few months to 5 years old, and if they are fretful, unhappy and insecure, it impedes their recovery. Your care and time spent with them will aid their recover. Your work in this area will also enable those mothers who are able to spend all their time staying at the hospital with their children to get some well-deserved breaks. Although the mothers are encouraged to spend all their time at the hospital, including sleeping there, in order to learn how to continue to properly feed their children after they leave the hospital, sometimes this is just not possible. The children of these mothers, in particular, need special care and attention.

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Australian culture.
• You'll learn a lot from experts in your field about how they work in a cultural environment that's different to what you're used to.
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

Accommodation will be arranged for you with a local host family, allowing you to have a better insight into Argentina and become integrated into life in the region of Mendoza. You will be provided breakfast and for dinner you will usually share a typical Argentinean meal with your family. Facilities in host families do vary but you will have the opportunity to express your preferences regarding the type of family that you stay with (for example, a family with/without children, pets etc.).

Talk to us - We're there to help you. Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you’d like to apply for this project. Visit our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.

It’s as easy as that.