Description

Volunteering with children is one of the most rewarding areas to volunteer in as you can really help change the future of the children around you. Kaya has over 30 projects working with children spanning South America, Central America and Asia. Whether you are working in an orphanage, teaching English or working with abused children you have the chance to develop and equip the children with skills for a brighter future.

*Work in an Orphanage for Children with Special Needs

This project is based in an orphanage for children with disabilities, it was founded in 2007. The project is a non profit organization that receives donations from the government and from people of the community. At present there are only 20 children here, but they have a vision of expanding the facilities to provide support for more disabled children, often who are abandoned by their families.

*Special Education for Children with Disabilities in Bolivia

Become a volunteer and lend your skills and compassion teaching in a school for children with special needs. The main aim of this school is reintegrating students into mainstream school wherever possible and most of the curriculum is taught in line with the curriculum taught at regular schools. The development of these children is dependent on the stimulation and education they receive and this is the focus of the school. Alongside this the school also provides treatment for those children who need it and a interdisciplinary medical team consisting of psychologists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, doctors and nurses work at the school to provide support to the children.

*Creative Education for Underprivileged Children

Give disadvantaged children the extra help they need to succeed in school and at life. The project is based in a home/child minding centre in Santa Cruz. Local children attend and are offered English classes as well as other extra curricular activities such as theatre, music and cultural studies. There is no cultural centre in Santa Cruz for underprivileged kids and the aim of these classes is to provide the children with a rich knowledge of their culture and enable them to demonstrate what they learn to others through performance.

*Art, Culture and Education in Bolivia

Volunteer in Bolivia on an Art and Culture Education Project and get involved with promoting the integration of Bolivias diverse multi-ethnic cultures through the arts. The project promotes the interaction of artists from different origins and understands that their visitors have different interests.

*Teach English

Help the youth of Bolivia succeed in a global economy by working to improve their English skills. These teaching and teaching-assistant projects are located in the centre of the colonial city of Santa Cruz and in the beautiful city of Cochabamba. Volunteers teach during school mornings and/or afternoons, and generally enjoy a flexible schedule. Students range from 6 to 18 years and each class has about 40 students. Volunteers will help the students learn English through conversation workshops, songs, games, and other fun activities. Volunteers also have the option of joining in with extracurricular activities including sports, arts and music.

*School for Deaf Children in Bolivia

Become a volunteer in Bolivia and work in this school that has been providing deaf children with special education since 1957. The project provides special education for children and young Deaf people across the country in all three educational levels: elementary, primary and secondary. The school not only provides education in the usual topics such as maths, English and science; it also has lessons in theatre, dance and body expression, ceramics, and deaf culture and identity. Alongside this occupational courses such as dressmaking, cookery, and metal mechanics are also offered. The schools mission is to become a model for Bolivia in the education of deaf people from a bilingual and bi-cultural approach.

*Sports Coaching with Children in Bolivia

This project is based in a Catholic School of about 1,900 students. They have all levels from kindergarden to primary and secondary. Physical education is not an elementary part of the school system and in this project they are trying to promote healthy issues through sport.

Volunteers can coach basketball, soccer, aerobics, dance, or just about any sport they want. As an additional and optional job, volunteers can also tutor them in their studies at school. This a great programme for children to get involved in team games and sports in an organised environment, and benefit from all the valuable life lessons that playing sports has to offer.

*Sports Coaching and Development in Bolivia

Working within the realm of care, education and recreation, this project provides support to over 230 street children of mixed gender from the ages of 4 to 12 years. The project includes work with sports, regular education and nutritional advice. The centre gives support for the children not only with the activities they provide, but also with the transfer of the children to the project site. A member of staff from the project goes to collect the children with a bus so they can be transferred at least twice a week with a return transfer to their homes afterwards.

*Teach Music and Coach a Symphony Orchestra

The perfect project for a music-lover. This two-part project works with with the local school to provide music lessons and music appreciation to children of all ages, and also offers youngsters that have a keen interest or aptitude for music to join an after-school symphony orchestra. The project has bought many instruments for these children over the years and the orchestra has been running since 2003 - with literally hundreds of children benefitting from its work.

*Volunteer in an Orphanage

Help to support a local Children's Village, set up in 1983 as a humanitarian project in conjunction with a Norwegian TV Campaign. The project has been receiving children since 1985 and will celebrate its success by reaching its 25th year in 2011. At present, the Children's Village is home to over 70 children and adolescents, from 2 to 18 years old. About 40 of the children live in the village which is located in a small valley on the outskirts of Cochabamba. As many of the children live on site, there are 4 houses with around 10 children in each house who are looked after by a woman known locally and to the children as "Mother of the House". In 1990, 2 youth homes were built: one for boys and one for girls and this is designed to home the children who have grown out of the Children's Village and have learned slowly, to stand on their own two feet. Additionally, on site there is a Kids Centre which has about 37 children between 2 and 13 years old. Once the kids are 14, they move to the youth homes, where they stay until they are 18-20 years old.

*Work at a Baby Shelter and Childrens Orphanage in Bolivia

The project is working on promoting adoption of the babies; if the child is not adopted before they are 6 years old they go to other orphanages for older children. The older children attend school in the mornings and return at lunchtime where the Orphanage aims to provide an alternative home, where the main attribute is the quality of the integral education of abandoned and unprotected children of Santa Cruz, so they can be further participants and act normally in the society as good citizens.

*Work in a Shelter for Abused Girls in Bolivia

Join this volunteer programme in Bolivia and help provide a safe, secure environment and a more positive future to girls who have suffered abuse at home or who were previously living or working on the streets. The centre provides the girls with a small income of 100 bolivianos ($12) per month for attending to encourage them to continue with their education rather than returning to the streets to work. The centre also runs livelihood programmes including a small craft shop and a café to give the girls an extra income and a sense a sense of self worth and to encourage them to want to achieve more.

*Work in a Public Health Centre in Cochabamba

Volunteer and work in a Public Health Care Centre in Cochabamba which specializes in gynecology and pediatrics and attends mainly to minor emergencies, accidents and routine visits. Within the centre there are gynecologists, pediatricians and dentists, and around 8 to 10 nurses and medical assistants. You can provide support as a volunteer within a number of these areas.

Highlights

Everything in Bolivia is 'the highest in the world' - the mammoth Lake Titicaca, its capital La Paz, the silver mines of Potosi. Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America characterized by extreme differences in climatic and environmental conditions - from the soaring ice-capped Andean peaks to the dry salt flats to the steamy Amazon jungles. Its beauty does not just lie in its geography but is reflected in vibrant indigenous cultures, colonial cities and ancient civilizations.

The people of Bolivia are some of the poorest in South America, yet are also known to be some of the most welcoming, making it a travel-friendly country.

The Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats:
This is the largest salt flat in the world covering an area of 10,582km2. It holds around 10 billion tons of salt and half of the world's lithium. Its vastness is unbelievable as it stretches off into the horizon and touches the sky.

Cordiellera Real:
Marvel at the most imposing mountain range in Bolivia, with 6 peaks reaching over 19,000 ft. One of the least-trekked areas of the Andes, it contains a high concentration of active wildlife including condors, bears and the occasional puma. There are treks for various levels of experience.

Lake Titicaca:
Standing at the base of the majestic Andean mountains, 12,500 ft. above sea level, is the vast and imposing Lake Titicaca. This giant body of water spans across Bolivia and Peru and is the largest lake in South America. Along its banks are ancient ruins and indigenous villages to explore.

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, traveled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the program placements. For this reason, there would be no worries for the participants.

Qualifications

Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please visit the website for more information.

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Single or shared room in a home-stay
* Food: 3 meals per day - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* Airport pick up and drop off
* Training: Orientation and language classes provided
* Support: 24 hour support
* Excursion Planning: Staff help organise weekend activities. (Activity price may be extra)

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range

Must be more than 18 years old

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement

Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded

2008