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El Salvador - FAQTell me more about El SalvadorWhat is the climate like in San Salvador? What kind of volunteer work is available? When do I need to arrive in El Salvador? Tell me more about the accommodation? What immunizations/vaccines will I need? Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer? Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering? Are there more expenses once I arrive? How safe is it to volunteer in El Salvador? How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? Can you tell me more about your partner in El Salvador? How are families accommodated while volunteering? Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement? How do I pay my program fee? ------ Tell me more about El Salvador? El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America. The twelve year civil war was brought to a close in 1992 with the signing of the Peace Accords by the newly formed leftist political party and the government. The right wing political party continues to hold the presidency in El Salvador, but the leftist party is growing and now has more seats on the legislative assembly than the right. What is the climate like in San Salvador? The average temperature in San Salvador is 24 degrees Celsius, and the temperature is constant throughout the year. The rainiest months are from June to October, with 33cm falling in August; rain normally falls in short bursts, rather than continually. During the dry months, there is virtually no rain and it can become very dusty by the middle of the year. What kind of volunteer work is available? Volunteers teach English in our partner's office in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. There are also opportunities to teach English to children in a rural school or community center in other municipalities in El Salvador. When do I need to arrive in El Salvador? To teach in the centre's school, volunteers need to arrive the week preceding the first day of the English School cycle. The teacher orientation and training session is held on Saturday and Sunday before the initiation of the cycle. Check the cycle dates to verify when you will need to arrive. If you are interested in teaching in a rural community, we will confirm with our partner when volunteers need to arrive. The rural programs are generally ongoing throughout the year. Tell me more about the accommodation? For the San Salvador program, volunteers are placed in homestays, mostly within walking distance of the centre or a short bus ride away. The centre has a network of host families and can place you with a family that best meets your needs and preferences. What immunizations/vaccines will I need?
Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer? Volunteers need to speak English as their first language, or as if it was their first language. Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering? The benefit of working at the centre's school in San Salvador is that you can participate in the afternoon Political Cultural Program to visit historical sites and other organisations in the area. In addition, the volunteer team in the centre takes weekend trips outside of San Salvador to learn about the reality of the country. If volunteering in rural communities, you will have the opportunity to travel independently. Are there more expenses once I arrive? In the San Salvador program, you will need to pay for your lunch each day. You also need to pay for Spanish classes if you plan to take these. You will also need to cater for all your other expenses like bottled water, lunch, personal costs, beverages, entertainment, and expenses incurred while traveling outside of San Salvador. To volunteer in rural communities, we will arrange with our partner what the extra expenses will be. How safe is it to volunteer in El Salvador? El Salvador is relatively safe, as long as volunteers follow the advice of the program coordinators, and take precautions such as not walking alone at night and carrying money in a safe place such as a money belt. How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? The San Salvador centre can hold up to twelve volunteers per English cycle. In the other teaching positions, you are likely to be placed by yourself or with one other volunteer. Can you tell me more about your partner in El Salvador? Our partner is an Salvadoran organisation committed to promoting social justice, solidarity and peace and was created in 1993 following the signing of the Peace Accords, ending the country's 12 year civil war. How are families accommodated while volunteering? Families are welcome to volunteer and can be placed with the same host family in San Salvador. Many of the centre's host families are able to accommodate up to four people. Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement? You do, if you need one. Our program guide has links to El Salvadoran Embassies through out the world. How do I pay my program fee? Your program fee is paid directly to the program director in El Salvador on arrival. This needs to be paid in US dollars. ------ Question not covered here? Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unaswered, please submit your question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours). Click here to apply for the El Salvador program. |
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