www.vogolab.com
VOGO I N T R OD U CT ION For almost 50 years, Partners of the Americas has worked with an expansive network to build a more interconnected and equitable hemisphere. Together with a new ally, Heart for Change, Partners of the Americas is offering its PartnersCampus Chapters an opportunity to participate in the exciting new VogoLAB program in Bogotá, Colombia during the summer of 2012. Spend 4, 8 or 12 weeks in Bogotá working with your choice of over 25 non-profit organizations while still enjoying tourist activities that reveal the dynamic social impact that is transforming the capital city. Colombia is the most happening country in Latin America and one of the most interesting leaders of social transformation in the world. A new paradigm is being drawn by Colombians and we want to invite you to be part of the change. Your skills, expertise and knowledge will be put to the test along with your capacity to adapt, understand and contribute to a new society, one project at a time. Set foot in this diverse land and get a first-hand look at the complex challenges facing Colombia today. This life changing experience will give you a 360º view of the past, present and future of a wide range of social dynamics taking place in what the New York Times calls a “...geographically arresting, culturally enthralling country without fear”. We have carefully engineered this program to bring out the best in you, whether that means collaborating with your perfect-match non-profit-organization, brainstorming in the recycling tour or dancing vallenato over a table while learning Spanish slang words. We want to give you the experience of a lifetime and keep the word Colombia in all your thoughts for years to come.
BO G OTÁ
We know Wikipedia can give you all the technical data on Bogotá, but we can show you a side of Colombia’s capital that most never see. Bogotá is home to a rich a diverse culture and is widely known for its cultural productions, such as dance, music and theater. Did you know that every two years Bogotá hosts the biggest theater festival in the world? Bogotá matches NYC and Paris for the best in fine cuisine and both affordable and up-scale shopping. Colombia has made so much progress of late, that it has become the leading nation of the exclusive economic group CIVETS (Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa), second only to the powerful BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) in its development potential and economic strength. Bogota is a true melting-pot exhibiting incredible social and cultural diversity. All sorts of people and communities reach the capital city in search of life-changing opportunities, making it the perfect setting for a social lab.
ITIN E R A RY Though each participant gets to choose their host organization according to their interests, VogoLAB trips are organized for groups of participants. The groups will be of minimum 6 and maximum 12 people. These groups can choose programs consisting of 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Volunteers can choose 3 host organizations in their application, and after doing the selection process HFC will assign them to the best match. There are more than 20 host organizations available in categories like education, health, nutrition, construction, sports, entrepreneurship, indigenous communities, conflict resolution, arts and culture, forced displacement, among others. Note: The following is a 12 week example itinerary. This program is flexible and open to changes for 4 or 8 weeks programs, depending on group requests.
Week 1 Arrival: Training sessions, prehispanic and colonial Bogotá city tour, breakfast @plaza (Local food Market) and welcome party.
Week 2 Volunteers will work on their strategic plans along with the host organizations and with close mentorship by Heart for Change. The idea is for volunteers to experience the normal working schedule of the host organization. During the late afternoon, after working hours, the volunteers will have time to explore the city and interact with other volunteers. Heart for Change will assign each volunteer a Social Local Sponsor (SLS) who will have the responsibility of introducing the city dynamics and Colombian people, as well as organize cultural activities and sports. Weekend tour: Architectural Tour.
Week 3 to week 11 Volunteers will work at host organizations. Weekend tours: HFC will organize every weekend a special tour, crafted specially for volunteers. All these tours have a strong social component and offer a new perspective of the city, different from the point of view from a typical tourist. HFC will take volunteers to places, to meet people and face social issues, so they can gain a new context regarding to Colombia. Some of the tours include: Bogota´s Red Light District, The Savannah for the Laguna de Siecha Tour, Dance salsa with private salsa lessons for the group, Bogota´s Recycle World Tour, a full gastronomic experience workshop.
Week 12 (last week) Work at host organizations. On Thursday we will hold a closing meeting along with the people of the host organization. Here we will analyze the results of the volunteer´s work and an overall program evaluation. In addition, volunteers will have the opportunity to propose solutions for improving the social enterprises they worked alongside throughout the program. On Friday a general meeting will take place with all volunteers in order to gather testimonies as a memory of the work done. Moreover, we will train volunteers for further fundraising in their home countries and will be invited to participate in the program Volunteer Challenge Colombia®. Each volunteer will receive an end of service certificate. By the end of the day HFC will arrange a Final Blow out @Andrés Carne de Res, a restaurant found in Chia, a village about 20 miles from Bogota's borders. Started as a tiny eatery 20 years ago, Andrés Carne de Rés is now the definition of sprawling, with acres of dining under roof and in the open air. Some of HFC former volunteers have said that is the perfect combination between Moline Rouge and Alice in Wonderland!
QUOTE “Volunteering in Bogota” last summer was truly an eye opening experience. Working in social projects in my host organization “Colombianitos” gave me the opportunity to learn about community development, and the needs of growing neighborhoods in the south of Bogota. This organization provides an avenue for kids to envision a future, and I was glad I could be part of that process. I hope that others continue to discover the potential that Colombia has to offer and the skills and knowledge that others can bring in helping to contribute to this progress and change." Molly Hassenfelt, Former Volunteer 2011.
PR O GR A M DAT ES Arrival Dates Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Tuesday, June 19, 2012 Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Departure Dates Monday, June 18, 2012 Monday, July 16, 2012 Monday, August 13, 2012
Dates can be flexible. If your group has a special request please don´t hesitate to contact us to ubusch@partners.net
What is included in the program? Airport pick up – drop off, training, accommodation, meals, welcome party, insurance, cellphone, social sponsor, bilingual guides, volunteer placement and comprehensive workplan at nonprofit organization. See program details, testimonials, pictures, fees and policies at www.vogolab.com
Apply now www.vogolab.com/application