Fostering partnerships throughout the Americas
AMIGOS unites people from different cultures and countries to address community health and development needs. AMIGOS partners with international development agencies such as C.A.R.E., Save the Children, and Plan International as well as local community organizations and governmental organizations.
Promoting community service
In Latin America, volunteers live and work collaboratively with community members for up to eight weeks on projects such as:
- Promoting Healthy Households: hygiene education, latrine construction, and the utilization of appropriate technology to find sensible, sustainable solutions to local problems (the building of fuel-efficient stoves, for example)
- Encouraging Youth Development: life skills, technology and leadership building programs
- Facilitating Cross-Cultural Understanding: English as a second-language coursework for indigenous groups wishing to promote their culture abroad
Prior to their Latin America assignments, AMIGOS volunteers contribute to their communities here in the Seattle area through community service during training. Some of the organizations with which Seattle volunteers have collaborated include El Centro de la Raza, Forgotten Children's Fund and New Futures (formerly known as Project LOOK).
Encouraging youth leadership
AMIGOS empowers youth to take leadership roles in planning programs, facilitating community involvement, and inspiring local youth to be active in community service. AMIGOS volunteers learn to make mature decisions and build relationship that enhance their effectiveness and personal development. Outstanding volunteers return to AMIGOS by serving as project staff in host countries, working on training teams, or serving as board members of local chapters.
