United Planet has organized a special construction service project to Chile for high school students (ages 16-18) this summer break. In July of 2013, students will have the opportunity to build houses for Chile’s poorest families. Throughout the project, United Planet volunteers will experience complete cultural immersion, working alongside and living in a school with Chilean high school volunteers.
United Planet volunteers will help with a wide variety of home-building activities, which include carrying supplies, clearing construction areas, nailing and sawing boards, digging holes, putting in windows, and cutting metal roofing. During their down time, volunteers will get a chance to explore Chile and the local culture through excursions to historic downtown Santiago, Valparaiso Port, and the home of Chilean poet and Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda.
If you are a high school student looking to give back during your winter break, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. United Planet volunteer Laurie Lundeen said it perfectly:
In short, every day in Chile was an experience I will never forget. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to travel there. I am honored to have learned so much from so many wonderful, loving people. A sunrise welcomed me to Chile, and a magnificent purple sunset over the Andes bid me farewell as I entered the airport for my journey back to the United States. Even though my Quest is over, part of my heart will always remain in Chile.
Read stories from our Chile Construction Quest volunteers:
- Meghan Tribley
- University of Idaho
If you are interested in joining this special construction Quest to Chile, please visit United Planet for more information and to enroll.
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
