Description

This is a very happy well run and well equipped nursery in a breathtakingly beautiful setting in the Andes, on the outskirts of la Paz and volunteers are welcomed with open arms into this small Ayamra traditional community. However, funds are always stretched and we are understaffed. We only have funding for 1 teacher for every 16 children, so the local women who work as educators certainly have their hands full, especially with the 3-4 year old who have so much energy.

Volunteers bring creativity and new ideas which inspire the local educators and their families. Often the main concern of our local staff is simply taking care of the children, feeding, washing them etc and there is little time for creative play or activities to make the most of the beautiful grounds and setting where the children's centre is. Volunteers in the past have done dance classes, music classes with home made instruments, played games and we have recently been donated baby-gym equipment which the children love, but this needs to be done with small groups which often is outside the scope of the teachers.

Volunteers help preparing and serving meals and clearing up afterward. They also are welcome to do gardening and basic maintenance of the buildings- painting etc.

Volunteers also participate in cultural activities and festivities which happen with amazing frequency often being pulled into traditional dance shows or to prepare the children to sing or perform in front of their parents and the wider community.

* How to Apply:

(1.) All volunteers need to fill out the UP CLOSE application form and send us the name of two personal references that we can get in touch with.

(2.) Once we have the references we will contact the volunteer again and through email or skype we will talk through with you a possible programme, answering any questions that they may have.

(3.) Once the placement has been agreed we will ask you to fill out an agreement which sets out both the roles and responsibilities of UP CLOSE Bolivia and the volunteer, so that everything is clear and we can avoid any misunderstandings during the placement.

Highlights

In economic terms, Bolivia is the poorest country in South American, but it is also one of the richest countries on the planet, in terms of its culture and ethnic and ecological diversity. Bolivia will undoubtedly raise unique challenges and opportunities for you.

From your arrival, we will accompany you and provide liaison to facilitate your integration with the local community, the project staff and the families and neighbors with whom you will be living. Our services are personalized and tailor made to suit you.

UP CLOSE is a family run Bolivian and British initiative, founded on the enthusiasm and ongoing passion of ex-volunteers who came to Bolivia in the early nineties and stayed&.Bolivia has taught us the true meaning of RECIPROCIDAD which means reciprocity- a concept at the heart of Andean culture. It is all about giving back and contributing in a way which enriches both the person who is giving and the person who is receiving equally.

We have welcomed many volunteers over the years to Bolivia and shared the joy of their discovery and growing sense of belonging.

We live and we are part of the community in which many of the projects are found. We see for ourselves the long lasting positive effect that the skills and creativity, which the volunteers bring, have in the lives of local people. We feel the fondness and the true friendships that are born between people who come together from such different worlds to work, learn and live together.

We have a small, committed and very energetic staff made up of expats and Bolivians. They bring their experience of having worked as volunteers themselves and of course the local knowledge to do all the leg work for you, tailor making the volunteer placements, organising accommodation, and if you wish language classes, travel packages too, and of course being a point of contact and information, before you arrive, and throughout your stay in Bolivia

Mallasa where our projects are focused is 30 mins by bus from the city centre. It is a beautiful semi rural village surrounded by mountains and is home to the valley of the Moon. There is a very strong sense of community - perhaps the most enriching aspect of the experience of the volunteers to date has been participating in this small community and getting a very real flavour of Aymara culture. It is an area of parks and adventure tourism attracting many national and international tourists. There are a few small local shops and internet cafés but there are no big supermarkets or shopping centres.

Qualifications

Creativity, Energy, Flexibility, Love of Children, Proactiveness, Culutral Awareness and Sensitivity

Language Skills: Very very few people in Bolivia speak English so its one of the best places to come if you want be immersed in the language and of course learn more quickly. Another plus is, because many Bolivians speak Spanish as their second language (after their indigenous languages), they tend to speak much more slowly and clearly than in other Hispanic countries and you will find that local people are incredibly tolerant and patient if you make a mistake. Obviously, the better your Spanish is, the more you will get out of your experience, being able to make friends and interact with local people in the project in which you will be working as well as the wider community. We recommend that you do some self study or sign up to a course before you come so that you have at least basic Spanish.

The minimum age of the volunteers: Everyone is welcome -from 18 years to 80 years if you are fit and healthy and come with a spirit of adventure. Younger volunteers will be accepted if they come as part of a family group and travel with a parent or guardian who take responsibility for them.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

450 month

Cost Includes:

• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

Our prices are very competitive compared to other international volunteer placement companies. The price per day of our programme is less than the average cost of a bed in a tourist hostel in the city of La Paz. We offer special packages for groups and also for people who are just looking for a local home stay.

Volunteers working at the nursery receive snacks and lunch each day they work. Breakfast and home cooked meals can also be arranged for approx USD5-7 each day.

What our services include:

Prior to your arrival we will communicate with you to discuss what your expectations and interests are so that we tailor make a programme for you.

You will receive and orientation information pack about La Paz with practical advice and tips from past volunteers covering issues from safety, health topics, cultural dos and dont's, travel in Bolivia and neighbouring countries etc.

We will set up a voluntary placement in a local community-run project.

We will organise home-stays with local families, in a private room with access to a bathroom and kitchen so that you can cook for yourself or if you prefer you can share family meals. Alternatively you can be more independent and stay in an all-volunteer house in the local community - this accommodation is very beautiful and has access to large garden and some of the best views of the mountains in La Paz.

We will provide you with twenty four hour support for emergencies and there will be weekly meetings with a local Volunteer Liaison Officer.

We can set up one month (or more) of Spanish classes with experienced teachers - the intensity and level of these classes will be set up to suit your needs.

We will arrange a pick you up from the airport or bus terminal when you arrive with a trusted taxi driver and settle you in with your home stay family or in the volunteer house.

We will invite you to a family dinner with the UP CLOSE team during your stay in Bolivia.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Our typical volunteers are intrepid people choosing to come to Bolivia which is off the regular gringo tourist trail. They are usually well educated, interested in the cultural diversity and ecology in Bolivia. Many take the opportunity to explore beyond La Paz and visit the Mountains, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon and the Salt Deserts during their stay. They are volunteers who are proactive, can work on their own initiative, be crative, get on well with people from differetn cultures and whilst we give them practical and moral support they do not need to have hand-holding through out their time. Typical types that come to volunteer with UP CLOSE BOLIVIA include: - Students on GAP years before or after going to university, giving them a chance to put interesting overseas work and travel experience on their CV that will make them stand out from the rest - Professionals taking a career break and looking for inspirations and new opportunities to channel their creativity and experience - Travelers who want to get off the tourist track and to stay in one place for a while and seek a sense of belonging and giving back - Retired people and professionals who can bring specific professional and life experience to strengthen local community based projects - Family groups looking to experience life together in a new country and make new friends and international contacts. UP CLOSE Bolivia is for people seeking to learn more about their world and perhaps more about themselves, and their role in this world.

Age Range

18 and over - if younger parents or guardians must take responsability

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Group living
• Home-stays
• Independent living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of local team of 10 and other volunteers

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Up Close Bolivia's Mission Statement

Volunteer Placements and authentic cultural experiences in the Andes We facilitate empowering and authentic cultural experiences to live and do voluntary work with local communities in the beautiful city of La Paz, high up in the Bolivia Andes. We offer you the opportunity to come and experience Bolivia, the real Bolivia that tourists rarely see. UP CLOSE Bolivia is for people seeking to learn more about their world and perhaps more about themselves, and their role in this world. We tailor make programmes for people from all walks of life to contribute their skills and enthusiasm to work with local community run projects.

Year Founded

2008