FAQs about Volunteering as an individual

How long do volunteers serve?

As long as you want. Although there is a three-month minimum, there is no maximum. Some people stay a year or longer. We suggest those with special skills who wish to volunteer for projects other than teaching English prepare to stay longer than the minimum. Sometimes it can take almost that long just to get all the training, orientation, and project development underway before seeing a return.

Can I volunteer for less than 3 months?

Unfortunately, we cannot generally take individual volunteers for less than the minimum three months that our partner in El Salvador, the Coordinadora, has requested.

The reason we generally don't host short-term volunteers is that it takes a lot of time for to set up these volunteer opportunities: screening applicants, finding the right volunteer opportunity in the communities, setting up that opportunity, etc. Both of our organizations are very busy so when we take time to work with a volunteer, we want to make sure that the experience will be long and deep enough to justify our time investment and yours.

For volunteers, we've also seen that 3 months is barely enough time to get your feet wet: to get into the rhythm of the projects and community, to get a volunteer project rolling, etc.

There are rare exceptions to this rule for people with special skills that would be particularly valuable to our partner, the Coordinadora. If you have special skills, please contact us.

Do you ever take volunteers who only speak basic Spanish or don't speak it well?

Yes, we will sometimes make an exception when the person has a special skill we need or is part of a team with advanced Spanish speakers.

Where would I stay in El Salvador?

In the same rural community where you'd do your volunteer work. Most volunteers live with local families during their stay.

Is there a particular season(s) when volunteers are more needed?

There's always something constructive to do. Many volunteers spend at least part of their time teaching English, though, and schools do shut down for all of December. The school year is Jan - Nov.

There are three major holidays in El Salvador when volunteer projects generally take a break: Easter (including Holy Week, the week before Easter), El Salvador del Mundo (the first week in August), and Christmas (December 24-January 2). Many volunteers, just like Salvadorans, take this time to travel around or go to the beach.

How many hours per week do volunteers work? (ie. Would there be time for exploring the area, etc.?)

That's up to you. 30-40 hours per week is typical. A lot depends on the community where you are, what you take on, etc. Most volunteers make time to travel around independently during or after their stay.

Do you have to have teaching certification in the U.S. in order to volunteer as a teacher?

Not necessarily, but it is a nice bonus. We definitely prefer if you have some form of certification and/or related experience.

Can the FSSCA help cover my costs?

You will need to cover your own housing, food, travel, and other personal costs. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to provide financial assistance to most international volunteers.

If you budget $300/month, that should more than cover living expenses and a few incidentals.

Is accident and/or health insurance provided?

You will need to provide your own insurance. In addition to health insurance, we strongly recommend getting SOS insurance. It will help you to get flown back to the states, all costs covered, in case of a major medical emergency.

Is there any kind of a stipend available?

Unfortunately, the FSSCA cannot provide any kind of stipend. To raise money for your trip, we recommend checking with Rotary, Kiwanis, friends, family, and religious organizations you might be affiliated with. We will also provide you with a list of fundraising ideas.

Could you just tell me a little more about what FSSCA volunteers do and where they work and live?

Most teach English (or sometimes other subjects) and work with the youth groups. From time to time, individuals will volunteer with skills that plug in well with a project that our partner, the Coordinadora, is working on. The kind of work you would do depends on the Coordinadora's needs at the time, and how they can best apply your skills and talents. They need to know what most interests you and what other work you would be willing to do if they have other, higher, priorities. For example, if you have experience as a nurse, would you be willing to help out in a health clinic or on a health project if that was a top priority for the Coordinadora than your top preference?

Another example is groups of volunteers who have done special projects with youth groups and teaching science in the schools. If you have special skills that you think will be particularly valuable, please be sure to mention them in your cover letter.

A statement along these lines will be helpful for you and the Coordinadora:

"I have a lot of experience and knowledge in these areas...I'm particularly interested in helping with these kinds of projects...But I'm also willing and able to help out with these other kinds of projects...."

Please also put your dates of availability in the letter; that's also important information to highlight.

I want to volunteer, but I don't live in the United States. Can I still volunteer through the FSSCA program?

Yes, simply contact your local Salvadoran Embassy for visa information before applying.

Is there a deadline for applications?

No. However, it can take us 4-6 weeks to let you know if your application has been approved. So that you don't have to purchase your flight at the last minute, we recommend you send us your application at least 3 months before the date you'd like to begin.

Are there large groups of volunteers together or do you send out individuals into communities?

Both. In additional to individual volunteers, we also host group delegations, including Alternative Spring Break for college students. When it is a group of people, we call it a delegation to distiguish them from individual volunteers who stay extended periods.

As an individual volunteer, you will probably be the only non-Salvadoran in the community where you stay and you will probably be the only English speaker. At any given time, we are hosting 1-4 volunteers.

What else should I know?

You're going to have a great experience, especially if you approach your volunteer experience with an open mind and flexibility.

El Salvador (and Latin America in general) is very different from the United States. Things work differently. The culture is different. Even the word "to be" is understood in a very different way. Plans will change more frequently and drastically than you are used to (often for the better). This can cause culture shock and frustration among volunteers if they expect things to work like they do back home.

If you're not familiar with the Magical Realism literary movement, it can provide some insight into what to expect; inexplicable "magical" things do happen.

While its impossible to fully prepare yourself for these differences (and perhaps to ever fully adapt), the more you can do the better.

Therefore, the answers we can give you are only tentative. New opportunities appear, needs change, many details are worked out through the act of doing, rather than being planned in advance.