Description

This is a very special orphanage in Santa Cruz, Bolivia that works with children with a variety of disabilities of differing severity. Volunteer work includes but is not limited to:

- Assisting with day to day care including hygiene, and personal care.
- Acting as assistant to caregivers and helping them cook, clean, do laundry or whatever they may require.
- Organizing excursions for the children - to the park, zoo, market, etc.
- Arranging craft activities, and extra-curriculars.
- Volunteers with high level of Spanish will be given higher level responsibilities.

This organization does incredibly meaningful work, and you will leave with the children forever in your heart.

Highlights

The Santa Cruz region is fantastic to explore. Naturalists will enjoy La Rinconada, a nearby rainforest lagoon that is home to the largest lily pads in the world, or Yvaga Guazu, an amazing ecological park just 15 minutes down the road. Also, with work only from Monday through Friday, you have your weekends to explore the country, or just get to know the city of Santa Cruz.

Qualifications

* Must be 18 and over
* Willingness to work with special needs children, and an understanding of what this entails
* Moderate level of English and Spanish. The more Spanish the better. Classes can be arranged for additional cost.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

630 for 2 weeks, and 150 for each additional week

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Bolivian Home Stay
* Food: 3 meals a day
* Airport pickup: Included on arrival day
* Orientation kit: Full project details will be sent following registration
* Training: Pre-departure preparation in addition to training in Santa Cruz

What's Not Included:
* Flights
* Insurance
* Personal expenses
* Local transportation
* Tourist visa

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Enthusiastic to teach as well as learn. Understanding of special-needs work with children. Willingness to make a difference in the lives of orphans.

Age Range

18-60

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

GoEco - Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement

(1) Encourage ecological and volunteer tourism that promotes sustainable development (2) Enable travelers to experience different and more rewarding kinds of tourism. (3) Encourage travelers to volunteer for the benefit of others and thus to serve as a good-will ambassador to other countries in the world. (4) Encourage travelers from all over the world to come to Israel for ecological and community-based projects, in both the Arab and Jewish sectors, and experience firsthand the unique cultural and natural diversity in this region. (5) Support environmental and humanitarian projects that promote understanding and good will between ethnic societies in Israel. (6) Conduct further research in the field of ecological tourism, such as the 'Ecological Footprint' as a tool for sustainable tourism development. (7) Establish an in-depth and up-to-date data base of the relevant projects worldwide. (8) Create a platform from which to explore the various organizations that support the environment and actively encourage volunteering.

Year Founded

2005