Description

Soccer is the national sport of Bolivia and along with the rest of South America Bolivians take their soccer very seriously. Coaching soccer is a way to unite and inspire children and by volunteering on this soccer project you can combine coaching the sport with important community based social work.

Projects Abroad volunteers work with the soccer school Pelota de Trapo. This school has been helping children through physical activities since 1994. Volunteers work closely with the head soccer coach, William Ramallo, who founded the school and also played in goal for the Bolivian national team in the 1994 World Cup.

This project combines coaching soccer with various aspects of community and social work. The school helps disadvantaged families with nutritional problems and offers medical aid, and provides scholarships to the poorest children who would not otherwise be able to afford the schools fees. There are also programs for women and children with HIV/Aids.

The soccer school has approximately 300 students between the ages of 7-17. As a volunteer you will be asked which ages you prefer to work with. Depending on your Spanish language ability you may be able help one of the coaches with their players. Volunteers with a good knowledge of soccer may be given more responsibility and the opportunity to create their own coaching programs.

During the school year, soccer practice starts at about 3pm. Routines include warm up exercises and technical instructions before starting a game. The last class at the school ends at 7pm. During the school holidays the soccer school is also open in the mornings and afternoons.

If you are a volleyball player and would like to volunteer with children overseas, our volleyball sports placement in Bolivia is an excellent fit. Ever since Bolivia hosted the South American Nations Championship in 2004, volleyball in Bolivia has been thriving. The Federacion Bolivana de Voleibol, like all other South American volleyball organizations, has been steadily developing the game within the country to reduce Brazil's domination of the sport within South America.

Volleyball may not be the number one sport in Bolivia but it is gaining in popularity. This is partly due to its practicality. It is a sport that can be played on any type of court - dirt, sand, grass, wood and concrete. If a net is not available, a rope is sufficient to mark where a net would be. After that all you need is a ball, making it incredibly accessible for all to participate. Not all children want, or are able, to play soccer, so volleyball provides them with an interesting alternative sports option.

Projects Abroad works with Club Olympic to help coach Volleyball to youngsters. The club was started unofficially by a group of friends over forty years ago, as an initiative to offer the youth of Cochabamba an alternative activity to keep them fit and healthy, while giving them an outlet for their youthful energy.

The club began officially just six years ago, when it moved to a new site in a local school. The land where the club plays was given to the school by the municipality for thirty years, and has been developed into a great sports area, which now boasts six beach volleyball courts, six indoor courts, training areas, a small track and a gymnasium.

The club covers everything: sports coaching and workouts, games between students, games with other sports schools or associations, theoretical classes and community services.

Highlights

All volunteers who participate in the soccer side of the project are also asked to participate in the community social work activities for the 30 underprivileged families who live on site. This may include caring for the children, or just visiting the families and participating in daily activities.

Club Olympic need help with sports training and general maintenance work throughout the year. Volunteer coaches will help raise interest in the sport among students, and join in the planning and running of sessions.

Depending on your level of Spanish and knowledge of Volleyball you may find yourself supporting another coach, coaching through a translator or working with a group alone. Teams that a volunteer can work with will vary from young children to young adults.

Working hours are Monday-Friday from 3pm to 7pm, working with children between the ages of 5 to 16. On the weekends there are tournaments, championships, and other activities that volunteers are welcome to attend.

Our volleyball project in Bolivia can also extend to local schools. Volunteer coaches will be trained first at the club and then sent out to work with local schools in the mornings.

Qualifications

None.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The price of each placement includes all your food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from our staff based around the world.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Athletics
• Community Development
• Culture
• Sports
• Volunteering
• Youth Development

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-80

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

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992