Summer Communications

April 22, 2005

Dear Parents of AMIGOS Chapter Volunteer,

As Executive Director of AMIGOS, I want to personally thank and commend you for supporting your AMIGOS volunteer as he/she prepares for this incredible experience.  I served as an AMIGOS volunteer and project staff member in 1969-73 and know first-hand the excitement, nervousness, and pride that parents and volunteers feel as departure day approaches.  My AMIGOS experiences 30 years ago had a profoundly positive effect on my interest in community service, public health, and global relationships.  I know that your AMIGOS volunteer will return home this summer with new outlooks and interests, increased self-confidence, and precious memories.

Departure day is a few weeks away!  Your AMIGOS volunteer will soon be completely immersed in another culture and language and having an adventure of a lifetime.  You, as parents, also will have your own AMIGOS experience except that your time will probably be spent wondering how, where, and what your son or daughter is doing.  Below is information that we hope you will find helpful in addressing some of your concerns and facilitating communication while your AMIGOS volunteer is in Latin America.

Summer Communications

Although it is easier said than done, the cliché that is most appropriate for AMIGOS parents during the summer is “no news is good news.”  Chances are that you will not hear frequently from your son/daughter from Latin America or from the International Office staff.

Upon arrival in-country, volunteers are taken to their briefing sites, where phone accessibility is usually limited and is reserved for emergencies.  However, throughout the summer, project staff in all projects maintains regular and frequent phone communication with the International Office.

The International Office maintains a 24-hour On-Call system in order to provide support to project staff and volunteers while in Latin America.  An emergency procedure plan will be in place for all volunteers while they are in their communities.  If you receive any news from your son/ daughter that is of concern to you, please first contact your Chapter Emergency Contact.  If you are unable to reach your Chapter Emergency Contact, or if this person directs you to the International office, please reference the following information during the summer:

• Call (800) 231-7796 and dial ext. 150.  Leave your name, phone number, and a brief message.  All calls are transferred to a pager that the designated On-call person carries.  Our staff will call you back as quickly as possible, usually within 15 minutes.
• If there is a family emergency and you need to reach your son/daughter, please follow the same procedures.

Approximately two weeks after volunteers arrive in Latin America, you will receive the name of your son/daughter’s community, partners’ name(s) and project supervisor’s name (via your Chapter Emergency Contact).  The reason for the two-week delay is that volunteer community assignments are not made until project staff has had the opportunity to meet volunteers, assess individual strengths, and match volunteer skill-levels to community conditions.  Once the project staff sends the community assignments to the International Office, the On-call staff will sort out the information for all volunteers and will send this to your Chapter Emergency Contact.  The Chapter Emergency Contact will then distribute specific information about your son/daughter to you.

Your Chapter Emergency Contact will report medical information to you as needed.  Your Chapter Emergency Contact will notify you about medical conditions if your child spends the night in a medical facility.  Minor episodes of diarrhea, colds, et cetera will not be relayed routinely.  In some cases, the International Office staff will contact you directly.  For example, we will call you directly if your son/daughter requires an invasive medical procedure, experiences a serious emergency situation or is being sent home for circumstances related to a violation of the Standards of Personal Conduct and Community Behavior.

Your Chapter Leaders will provide you with a list of the summer project mailing addresses.  If you want your AMIGOS volunteer to receive mail soon after arriving in Latin America, start writing June 1st!  It often takes 2 - 3 weeks for mail to travel between the United States and Latin America.  Volunteers always look forward to receiving mail so feel free to share their summer address with family and friends.

Additionally, we have enclosed a letter from our Medical Director and Medical Team that provides important information to maximize your AMIGOS volunteer’s health during the summer.  Please reiterate to your son/daughter the importance of following the self-care guidelines.  Many illnesses can be prevented if volunteers adhere to the practices outlined in the medical letter.  You will also receive a copy of the Latin American Program Guidelines Synopsis (LAP Synopsis).  This document outlines some key procedures, and protocols and will help familiarize you with our project operations in Latin America.

We also encourage you to visit the AMIGOS website, www.amigoslink.org.  During the summer we will post weekly project updates.  Your Chapter Emergency Contact will also be provided with the same information.  Thus, if you are experiencing technical difficulties, please contact the chapter to receive the information.

Best wishes to you and your AMIGOS volunteer for a summer of wonderful memories and experiences!

Sincerely,

Emily Untermeyer
Executive Director