The cost of supporting an AMIGOS participant in Latin America is significant. Houston Chapter covers these costs through a combination of letter writing and a family fee contribution. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all participants without regard to family financial circumstances. All participants are required to fully take part in each fundraising activity as fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community. Participants receive considerable help with regard to fundraising strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will definitely build important skills!

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each participant is required to send out 125 letters to family, friends, and other personal contacts, to request individual tax-deductible donations (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the participant with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process. Materials are given out in December and the letters are due at the first training meeting in January.

FAMILY FEE $3,300

(payment plan options available)

Application fee $100 (non-refundable and not included as part of the family fee)

Group fundraising participation required

THE PROGRAM FEE INCLUDES:

• Chapter training materials and workshops
• Round-Trip International Airfare
• Secondary short-term international medical insurance
• Program excursions and trainings
• Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
• Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
• 24-hour emergency support system

THE PROGRAM FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Immunizations and pre-travel medical examinations
• Passport/visa fees

Due Dates and Payment Options:

• Participants will pay the participation fee beginning December 15, and the entire amount must be paid by April 15.
• This can be paid online or by mail, and payments can be spread out over 5 equal monthly payments. You may also pay 50% at a time or all at once at the beginning.
• Our attached handout lays out all of the options in a job-aid type format. Questions? Contact chapter treasurer Ron Vlaskamp at treasurer@amigos-houston.org

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of participants from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of $500-$2,800 to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Financial assistance applications are due at the time of your interview. Please contact houston@amigosinternational.org for additional information. In addition, participants who are returning for an additional summer receive a $365 discount.

The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.

With 50 years of experience preparing young people for travel and service abroad, AMIGOS training offers unparalleled global youth leadership development. Pre-departure training equips participants with the critical thinking, communication skills, and technical knowledge they need to make a meaningful impact across cultures while staying healthy and safe. The Houston Chapter AMIGOS training is youth-led, experiential learning that prepares participants for their AMIGOS experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help participants succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the trainers, Tania d’Souza and Kristina Dickman.

SERVICE LEARNING

The Houston Chapter incorporates service learning into the AMIGOS training to add depth and first-hand experience to the curriculum. Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM INCLUDE:

• Unparalleled leadership development
• Cross-cultural awareness and understanding
• Hands-on training for technical aspects of the program
• Extensive health and safety training
• Opportunities to practice Spanish
• Creating a community of young people with shared values

THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDES:

• Monthly meetings Sunday afternoons 2:00 to 5:30
• One overnight retreat
• Service learning component
• Supplemental Spanish activities
• Four online assessments to determine readiness for the summer