Latin America
Network of NGOs of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
5B, Bergerac Road, Maraval
PO Box 410,
Port-of-Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: 1-868-628-9655
Fax: 1-868-628-9655
Email: network@wow.net
Hogar de Cristo
Arequipa, Peru
Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
Minneapolis, MN/ Peru
Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation
Heriberto FrÃas # 339 col. Narvarte,
México D.F., 03020
Tel: (525) 639-3091/1492
Website: www.rigobertamenchu.org
Email: frmtmexico@rigobertamenchu.org
Language: Spanish
Salary: Unpaid
The Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation was founded in Mexico in 1993 to contribute
to the recuperation and enrichment of human values in order to construct an
ethic of world peace, through the struggle for justice and democracy, focusing
on the indigenous populations. It seeks to enrich international human rights
and world peace by actively seeking justice and democracy, specifically through
the advocacy for Indigenous Rights. The Foundation offers creative solutions
to human rights abuses and injustices related to violations by governments and
transnational corporations.
Previously, an intern aided with logistical activities such as clerical and
phone work but also the coordination of particular activities and photography.
For more information on possible volunteer or intern positions, contact the
organization directly.
Nicaragua Network
1247 “E� Street, SE
Washington, DC 2003
Tel: (202) 544-9355
Website: www.nicanet.org
Email: Send electronically on website
Language: Spanish
Salary: Unpaid
For over twenty years The Nicaragua Network has been a leading organization
in the United States committed to social and economic justice for the people
of Nicaragua. The Network advocates for sound U.S. foreign policies toward Nicaragua
and provides information and organizing tools to a network of 200 solidarity
and peace and justice committees across the U.S. The Network organizes speaking
tours of Nicaraguans in the U.S. and study tours to Nicaragua. Volunteer brigades
help in the areas of health, construction or the environment. Two of the most
important current areas of solidarity support are labor organizing in the Free
Trade Zone of Managua and supporting the efforts of Nicaraguan environmental
organizations.
Internships vary according to length of time and the subject matter for those
that are interested. Interns have a variety of opportunities ranging from learning
how an international NGO works in Washington, D.C. to field work in urban and
rural Nicaragua. Please contact the Washington office for specific application
and internship information.
Cloudforest Initiatives
PO Box 40207
St. Paul, MN 55104
Tel: (651) 592-4143
Website: www.hwpics.com/cloudforest-mexico/
Email: cloudforest@hwpics.com
Language: Spanish helpful but not necessary
Salary: unpaid
Cloudforest Initiatives is a small group of people, with quite limited means,
who are carrying out some ambitious dreams. It is a non-profit organization
committed to assisting and supporting the efforts for peace, justice and integral
development of the Maya communities of Chiapas. Travel seminars are organized
for people who wish to learn more about the Mayan people and their culture.
Programs include language study, housing with a Mexican family, and a chance
to explore and reflect on the movement for democratic transformation and civil
rights in southern Mexico. Volunteers are also offered the chance to live in
a Tzotzil Maya community in the highlands of Chiapas, to share daily life, and
work with the community in construction or other labor. There are few positions
available and you must contact the organization directly to see if they have
any current needs requiring volunteer assistance.
PROVEA
Apartado Postal 5156
Carmelitas 1010-A
Caracas, Venezuela
Tel: (58-0212) 862-1011 and 860-6669
Website: www.derechos.org.ve/ongs_ven/provea/
Email: provea@derechos.org.ve
Langugae: Spanish
Salary: Unpaid
El Programa Venezolano de Educación-Acción en Derechos Humanos (PROVEA) is
a non-governmental organization that promotes and defends human rights, in particular
emphasizing economic, social and cultural rights. PROVEA is committed to encouraging
the consolidation of already existing initiatives and develops its own programs
to act in solidarity with the others. It attempts to educate people to organize
themselves to defend their own rights, stimulating their autonomy while accompanying
them through juridical conflicts. PROVEA’s professional structure is multi-disciplinary
and approaches issues from both legal and non-legal perspectives.
Previously, an intern with PROVEA worked to research the relationship between
the text of international human rights instruments such as treaties, declarations,
and covenants and the existing laws and practices in Venezuela. The intern also
observed and participated in PROVEA’s education and defense programs. If you
are interested you should contact PROVEA by email or phone. The internship program
is not fully established but PROVEA is interested in receiving bright volunteers.
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
1889 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20006
Tel: (202) 458-6002
Website: www.cidh.oas.org/DefaultE.htm
E-mail: cidhoea@oas.org
Salary: Unpaid
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is one of two bodies
in the inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights.
The Commission has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The other human rights
body is the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which is located in San José,
Costa Rica.
The IACHR internship program is designed for juniors, seniors and graduate
students at the university level as well as junior professionals to allow them
to work within their field of study. The program requires a good command of
two of the four official languages of the Organization of American States (English,
French, Portuguese and Spanish). The internship has a minimum duration of two
months. See website for exact dates, duration of particular internships and
the application form.
Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos
Tehuantepec 155
Col. Roma Sur
México D.F. 06760
Tel: 5564-2582 / 2592 / 9116
Website: http://www.derechos.org/cmdpdh/
Email: cmdpdh@laneta.apc.org
Language: Spanish
Salary: Unpaid
La Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, A.C. (CMDPDH)
is a nongovernmental organization established founded in December 1989 that
has promoted a culture of human rights and has defended their implementation
and fulfillment in Mexico. The mission of the organization is to contribute
to the respect and guarantee of the fundamental human rights, focusing especially
on the right to life, personal integrity and freedom, juridical safety and due
process.
A past intern aided the Commission in the development of reports and case studies
on human rights issues in Mexico. The volunteer also wrote summaries and releases
for the national and international media and translated the organization’s analyses
into English for distribution on the Internet. There is not specific information
regarding current internships on their website but they welcome assistance and
urge those interested to contact them directly for more information on future
opportunities.
Center for Democratic Participation and Development (CENZONTLE)
Centro para la Participación Democrática y El Desarrollo
Managua, Nicaragua
Malena De Montis Solis
Reparto Belmonte, de la Cruz Roja, 50 varas al lago, Casa No. 5
Apartado Postal 5334
Managua, Nicaragua
Phone: (505) 265-1425
Language: Spanish
Salary: Unpaid
CENZONTLE is a non-profit, non-governmental rural development program in Nicaragua
whose mission is in the short term to help agricultural cooperatives survive
the dire economic crisis, which Nicaragua is currently experiencing. Its longer-term
objective is capacity building and empowerment of cooperative members in order
to achieve sustained economic growth and to build enduring local democratic
structures. It has an integrated approach to development encompassing five major
areas of work: credit, feasibility studies, legal aid, marketing, and training/adult
education.
A past intern worked in the adult education and training department, learning
about the organization’s pedagogy and content, along with helping them evaluate
specific aspects of their program. The intern was able to integrate herself
into the organization by attending staff meetings and participating in a sub-committee.
Because this organization is still so small, you must contact them by phone
to receive specific and up-to-date information about volunteer opportunities
and the application process.
Legal Services Project of Profamilia
Calle 34, No. 14-5
Bogotá, Colombia
Tel: 287-21-00
Email: Pzanab@UNSAAAC.edu.pe
Language: Spanish
Salary: Unpaid
Profamilia is an organization that promotes and provides family planning services
as well as legal information and services to women. Trained personnel facilitate
planning programs throughout Colombia and the Thirds World.
Inters will assist in the legal services project of the organization to strengthen
the likages between women’s human rights organizations in Latin America working
on issues related to the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women. The organization wishes that those interested
contact them directly through email or phone.
Peace and Justice Service (SERPAJ)
JoaquÃn Requena
1642-11200
Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel: (598-2) 408-5301
Website: http://www.serpaj.org.uy/
Email: Send electronically on website
Language: Spanish
Salary: Unpaid
SERPAJ offers human Rights formation and training through workshops, conferences
and seminars concerning diverse aspects of Uruguay. They create and distribute
specialized materials in order to diffuse information to those involved in the
actual instruction young people and people and institutions involved in the
educational system itself.
In the past, an intern assisted attorneys working to protect the rights of
un-protected segments of society who have been subjected to police brutality
and torture, particularly juvenile offenders. The work involved documenting
torture and other forms of abuse so that victims can obtain relief through Uruguayan
courts. In addition, the volunteer joined a working group comprised of representatives
from SERPAJ and other community organizations in order to research the issues
of detention and abuse of juvenile offenders and to draft possible solutions
to these problems. For specific information regarding current availability,
please contact the organization directly via email or phone.
Trickle Up Program
104 W. 27th Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Tel: 212.255.9980
Website: http://www.trickleup.org/
Email: americas@trickleup.org, africa@trickleup.org, or asia@trickleup.org
Language: Helpful to speak Spanish or French but not necessary
Salary: Stipend of $500
The Americas region has continued to play an important role in the growth of
the organization since the founding of the Trickle Up Program in the Caribbean.
Beginning in 1979 with the first ten businesses in Dominica, Trickle Up has
provided seed capital to help launch or expand 23,620 business in the Americas
alone. In 2001, Trickle Up helped start 1,780 businesses in eight countries:
Bolivia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua,
and Peru.
The Trickle Up Program welcomes interns and volunteers at all times of the
year to assist with a variety of activities and projects. Trickle Up offers
International Summer Field Internships. The Field Internship lasts from eight
to twelve weeks between June 1-August 30, including six days of training at
the Trickle Up office in New York City. The interns selected are responsible
for transport and living costs in New York and in the partner country, and are
strongly encouraged to seek funding from universities and other sources. Trickle
Up provides a total stipend of $500 and will assist in locating low-cost accommodation
in the country where the internship will take place. In December of each year,
the Trickle Up Program posts specific projects for each international summer
internship with selected international schools and also makes this information
available on the Trickle Up website and in response to individual inquiries.
Interested applicants should send an e-mail or fax to the appropriate program
with a cover letter and resume.
Comité Nacional pro-Defensa de Flora y Fauna (CODEFF)
Luis Uribe 2620
Ñuñoa
Santiago, Chile
Tel: (2) 274-7461
Website: http://www.codeff.cl/
Email: secretaria@codeff.cl
Language: Spanish
Salary: Unpaid
CODEFF works for the preservation of plant and animal species that are at risk
of disappearance. The organization helps to protect and defend unique ecosystems
throughout the world. Internships require at least 3 months working in Chile
with CODEFF and it is extremely important that the person be fluent in Spanish.
Interns should also know how to develop an activity concerning the environmental
field. All volunteers must be able to support themselves while in Chile and
must join CODEFF as a member for one year at the cost of US $50.
Center for Human Rights Legal Action
Centro para la Acción Legal en los Derechos Humanos (CALDH)
9.a Ave. 2-59 Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala
Tel: (502) 221-1286
Website: http://www.caldh.org/ (in Spanish)
Email: larue@caldh.org or comunica@caldh.org
Language: Spanish
Salary: Unpaid
CALDH is a Washington, D.C. based organization that promotes human rights in
Guatemala. In conjunction with other human rights organization ins Guatemala
and the US, CALDH files petitions on behalf of victims before the OAS’s Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights. The Guatemala office focuses on interviewing victims
family members, preparing affidavits, reviewing court records, conducting investigations
of court procedures and writing reports.
An intern that worked with CALDH assisted them by interviewing civil patrollers
and ex-civil patrollers, gathering information to be used in a petition to be
filed before the IACHR. The volunteer also participated in meetings with popular
movement groups and governmental officials. The intern learned on-the-ground
human rights practices and techniques as well as gaining a keen, analytical
sounding board for new strategies to be pursued in similar cases.
El Centro de la Nina Trabajadora
Calle Huacho 150 y Jose Peralta
Quito, Ecuador, South America
Tel: 011-593-2-265-4260
Fax: 011-593-2-265-4260
Website: http://www.cenitecuador.org/about.php
Email: contact@cenitecuador.org
Centro de la Niña Trabajadora (known by its initials in Spanish as CENIT) is
a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization founded in 1991 by the Sisters
of the Good Shepherd. CENIT uses educational and vocational programs to help
working girls and their families overcome grinding poverty and improve the quality
of their lives. The result is generations of working women with the education
and skills to form healthy families that contribute to a more just and productive
society.
Sin Fronteras (Without Borders)
Puebla #153, Col. Roma
Mexico D.F. 06700
Tel: (52 55) 5514-1519
Fax: (52 55) 5514-1524
Website: http://www.sinfronteras.org.mx/
Email: enlace@sinfronteras.org.mx
Sin Fronteras, or Without Borders, is a non-profit, civil Mexican organization.
It attends to the problem of migration and of refugees from an integrated vision
so as to guarantee respect for human rights and improve the life conditions
of migrants, refugees, and their families. It does so through promotions, defense,
social and legal support, education, raising awareness, building relationships,
and participating in the development of legislation, policies, and migratory
programs.
L’Hopital Albert Schwitzer
Deschapelles, Haiti
P.O. Box 81406
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Tel: (412)361-5200
Fax: (412)361-5400
Website: http://www.hashaiti.org/
Email: infor@hashaiti.org
Established in 1956 by Dr. Larimer and Mrs. Gwen Mellon, Hopital Albert Schweitzer
serves a rural population of approximately 285,000 in Haiti’s central Artibonite
Valley. It is an integrated health service, incorporating a 200 bed hospital,
a network of health centers and dispensaries, as well as community-based services
in health promotion, disease prevention and economic development.
