Description

You have the choice to work in a kindergarten, an orphanage, a daycare center or in an after school center. It's up to you to decide which of these institutions you would prefer to volunteer your time in!

Children in kindergartens are 4 to 6 years old. The institutions' aim is to educate the children in a safe and secure atmosphere and to prepare them well for their future. Kindergartens also work in order to develop the children's attitudes towards responsibility, autonomy, respect, creativity and security. There are also kindergartens which have specialty in teaching mental and physically disabled children.

Children in orphanages are 0 to 6 years old and have been abandoned. The institutions' aim is to take care of the children, giving them much love and attention with the hopes of finding people who are willing to adopt them.

Children in daycare centers are typically 1 to 6 years old with about 30 children per center. Many are left there since their families work long or unusual hours. The institutions' aim is to take care of the children, feed them breakfast and lunch and organize activities and games.

After school centers offer free educational support to children and adolescents from 4 to 15 years old. On average each center takes care of 60 to 100 children. The centers aim to help children and adolescents with their homework and give them support and advice concerning general problems and issues.

All these institutions are placed in and around Sucre, a city which is located in the southern part of Bolivia at an average elevation of 2,750 meters above sea level. Up until 1899 Sucre was Bolivia's capital city before it was relocated. It is now the country's judicial capital. Sucre is famous for its cultural richness which is especially highlighted by its colonial architecture.

Your tasks include:
Take care of the children
Organize educational activities and games
Teach the children how to play instruments and sports
Help with homework
Assist with household chores
Give support and advice

During your volunteer program you will either work in a kindergarten, an orphanage, a daycare center or an after school center. It's up to you to decide which of these institutions best matches your desires! In any of these locations, you will participate in many varying tasks. You will take care of the children and support their teachers and/or caretakers depending on the place that you choose. You will organize educational activities and games such as singing songs, dancing, drawing pictures, doing crafts and teaching basics like colors and numbers. If your language skills are sufficient you will also teach them mathematics, chemistry, languages, geography, history and science. In addition, it is also possible to teach them how to play instruments and other sports in order to strengthen their self-confidence. Those children who already go to school always require assistance with their homework so you will be able to give them advice and guide them through any problems. Generally, you need to be creative and open-minded, ready to help wherever your assistance is needed.

Please keep in mind that many of these children and their families (provided that they have a family) are poor and live under hard conditions with low standards of living. It is best to be modest, friendly, compassionate and warm-hearted bringing a smile to the children's faces.

Highlights

Accommodation:
Every effort is made to ensure that your stay is as pleasant as possible. Therefore accommodations are carefully chosen and regularly assessed. During your volunteer program you will live with a Bolivian host family which gives you the excellent opportunity to practice and improve your language skills and to immerse yourself in the country's culture. Accommodations include half board (breakfast and lunch) as well as laundry service once a week. Your host family will warmly welcome you allowing you to experience the real Bolivian way of life!

Alternatively, you can live with other students in the student residence if you prefer to live with other travelers like yourself. In this option, you will live in a private room but share common areas as well as the kitchen and bathroom with your housemates. Sheets and towels will be changed once a week but there is no cleaning service. It's the volunteers' responsibility to keep the apartment clean and tidy. Living in the student residence can be a lot of fun and is a great place to meet other travelers from many different countries to explore the city with.

Qualifications

* Language: Spanish skills required (you can book your Spanish course in Bolivia with us!)
* Skills: No professional skills or experiences required.
* Age: 18+ years
* Vaccination: Not required. Please consult us and your doctor for specific recommendations.
* Insurance: Full travel and medical insurance is required. You can purchase a full coverage, no deductible health and travel insurance at a special rate for our participants by contacting your South America Inside representative.
* Visa: Tourist visa valid for 90 days. For further information regarding visa requirements please contact us and the corresponding embassy or consulate in your home country.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

depending on the duration of your stay

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country staff support

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

open-minded, flexible, interested in new cultures

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

Flexible

South America Inside's Mission Statement

Our programs are addressed to the humanitarian traveler, whether you are a student, professional or retiree. Anyone who wants to explore Latin America not as a mere tourist, but rather as an insider through an experience that goes beyond the ordinary, we invite you into our community! We organize Spanish and Portuguese courses as well as internship and volunteer work positions in nearly all countries of Central and South America. We help in organizing language courses, internships, volunteer work projects as well as in choosing the right country for you. We aim to select partners who are just off the beaten path and/or entail unique and special features to make your experience unforgettable!

Year Founded

2003