Description

PAAC: Programa de Asistencia Bioenergética y Apoyo al Campesino

Paac was founded by a group of students from the Faculty of Agriculture at San Simon University 27 years ago. Up to now, the founding members are still involved with the organization and all remain active in the field of environmental protection. Over the years, PAAC has been fundamental in the creation of FOBAMADE (The Bolivian Environmental Forum), FOCAMADE (The Cochabamba Environmental Forum), and they are part of LIDEMA (The Defense League for the Environment).

Objectives:
PAAC serves rural communities, companies, and municipalities that need assistance with issues of environmental protection, rural development and disaster prevention. Its projects range from research and environmental education, to work with alternative energies such as bio-energy and lobbying. The organization uses education as the main tool to provoke change in the way people think and perceive environmental issues. By promoting a culture of prevention, PAAC hopes to encourage environmental change.

Who does PAAC help?
PAAC works with a several different municipalities both in the tropical zone and central zone of Cochabamba.

Working Conditions:
The central office of PAAC is located about twenty minutes from the Cochabamba city center, although volunteers will also spend time in rural locations in the surrounding areas. There are seven permanent staff members at PAAC plus an additional 15 volunteers, mostly from Bolivia.

PAAC Programs:
PAAC runs five different programs, two of which are open to volunteers.

Campaigning:
One of PAACs most vital goals is educating and campaigning to the Bolivian people on the importance of the environment. Campaigns aspire to open minds and change perspectives.

Volunteer/ internship opportunities include:

* Creating and running educational workshops
* Raising awareness through leaflets, posters etc
* Creating a research project according to interest/knowledge
* Organizing eco-fairs
* Working with other institutions/governments
* Developing policies and lobbying for a change

Community Awareness:
This project raises awareness by doing outreach work in rural communities and educating people on how to take preventative measures so as to protect the future of the environment.

Volunteer/ internship opportunities include:

* Researching various zones around Bolivia, analyzing current situations and publishing results
* Outreach work in rural areas - organizing weekly meetings and seminars on topics such as recycling or water contamination
* Developing a project according to volunteer interest
* Providing assistance to the administration

Qualifications

* Advanced Spanish
* Minimum commitment period of 3 months
* Good interpersonal skills and outgoing
* A sincere desire to help

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

USD400

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Long Term Volunteers/ Interns (Monthly Prices)
Shared Room = USD300 a month
Private Room = USD400 a month
Family Home Stay = USD500 a month

Short Term Volunteers/ Interns (Weekly Prices)
Shared Room = USD100 a week
Private Room = USD125 a week
Family Home Stay = USD150 a week

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Sustainable Bolivia's Mission Statement

Sustainable Bolivia is a developmental institution headquartered in Cochabamba, Bolivia. With projects in the Andean highlands and the Amazonian lowlands, our primary objective is to assist local communities in the development of environmentally, socially and fiscally sustainable ecotourism programs. Through the promotion of sustainable tourism, language studies and volunteer placement, our mission is to provide the conscientious traveler a way to experience the immense natural and cultural wealth of Bolivia in a way that is non-intrusive and environmentally, socially and fiscally sustainable.