Description

As a volunteer on a Music project in Bolivia you will work alongside a trained music teacher in an orphanage for children who have come from very difficult backgrounds. Music helps children learn new skills, discover their musical abilities, and often acts as a form of therapy.

Bolivia is well known for its rich musical culture, so if you have a love for music or play an instrument then this project would be ideal for you. Whether you are on a gap year, career break, or just love music, you can share your musical knowledge and learn about music abroad.

Teaching Music with Projects Abroad

The Music project is based in the town of Cochabamba, Projects Abroad's main base in Bolivia. The project was founded by Projects Abroad and works with the Ciudadela SEDGES orphanage.

The orphanage provides a home for children from newborns right up to the age of 18. The staff at the orphanage try their utmost to fulfill the basic needs of these children. However, extra curricular activities are vital for their personal development and that is where you will be effective as a volunteer.

The music project has been designed to focus on three major objectives:

* Appreciation and awareness - Bolivian folk music has helped to form the culture and history of the country. It is important that children carry on this tradition and learn more about the unique country they live in.
* Learning - Volunteers help the children to discover and develop their musical abilities.
* Therapy - Many of the children have had terrible experiences and come from difficult backgrounds. Due to this they can become frustrated and depressed which might develop into behavioral problems in the future. Music often allows these children to replace negative thinking with a more positive attitude. By learning a new skill they gain self confidence and build self esteem.

The orphanage has a wide range of both traditional Bolivian musical instruments (panpipes, bamboo flutes, rainsticks) and more familiar instruments that are used throughout the world (drums, tambourines, guitars). These will be available for you to use with the children.

Highlights

Volunteers will be working under the guidance of a professional music teacher but will be encouraged to come up with new ideas and musical workshops for the children. The children will be split into smaller groups depending on their age and musical abilities. This will allow you as a volunteer to form a closer relationship with each child and focus on helping the children not only develop their musical potential but most importantly enjoy themselves and have fun!

This is an enjoyable and worthwhile placement. Bring energy, creativity, and an open mind and you will learn loads and your help will be greatly appreciated.

Qualifications

Must be 16 years of age.

Intern Types

• Art/Fine Arts
• Music

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

please go to our website for pricing.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Registration fees

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

16-70

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 3-5

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

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