Quick Facts
Program code
BO-VOL100
Category
Volunteer Work, Child Care
Country
Bolivia
Location
Sucre
Program start
year round, start and end dates are flexible
Minimum duration
4 weeks
Minimum age
17 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Project details
We place our volunteers in different social organizations who work with children in Sucre. Volunteers can work in nursery schools, a children‘s home, a daycare center, or in an after-school center. It's up to you to decide which of these volunteer organizations you wish to support while staying abroad in Bolivia! (Please specify your preference in the application form.) Children in nursery schools are between 3 and 6 years old. The institutions’ aim is to educate the children in a safe and secure atmosphere, preparing them well for their future. Our partner nursery schools also aim to develop the children’s attitudes towards responsibility, autonomy, respect, creativity, and security. Some nursery schools have a special program to teach mental and physically disabled children.
Children in children‘s homes are 0 to 6 years old and either have no family or have been abandoned by their families for different reasons. Volunteers support the institutions’ aim to care for these children, giving them as much affection and attention as possible with the hope that they can find them loving adoptive parents.
Children in daycare centers are typically 1 to 6 years old, and there are about 30 children per center (numbers may vary!). Many children come to the daycare because their families work long or unusual hours. The daycare centers aim is to take care of the children, provide them with nutritious meals, and organize fun activities and games.
The after-school centers offer free educational support to children and adolescents from 6 to 15 years. On average, each center takes care of 60 to 100 children (number may vary!). They help children and teens with their homework and give them support and advice concerning problems they encounter in their everyday lives.
All of these volunteer places are located in and around Sucre.
Tasks
During your volunteer program in Bolivia, you will either work in a nursery school, a children‘s home, a daycare center, or an after-school center in Sucre. In any of these volunteer organizations, you will carry out a wide variety of tasks. You will take care of the children and support the 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 Spanish language skills allow it, you can even teach them simple mathematics, chemistry, languages, geography, history, and science. In addition, it is also possible to teach the children how to play instruments and do sports in order to strengthen their self-confidence.
The children who already go to school always require assistance with their homework, so you will be able to give them advice and guidance through any problems. Generally, you need to be creative, open-minded, and ready to help wherever your assistance is needed.
Please keep in mind that many of these children and their families (if they have a family) are very poor and live in harsh conditions with a very low standard of living. Please be modest, friendly, compassionate, and warm-hearted when volunteering in Bolivia.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
In order to make your stay in Sucre a very pleasant experience, we select our accommodations very carefully. Our volunteers can choose between two options:
Homestay:
During your volunteer program in Bolivia, you can live in a Bolivian homestay, giving you the opportunity to practice and improve your Spanish language skills while immersing yourself in the country's culture. Accommodation includes half board (breakfast and lunch) and a laundry service once a week. Your hosts will warmly welcome you, allowing you to experience the real Bolivian way of life!
Guest house:
Alternatively, you can choose to live in a guest house if you prefer to live with other volunteers and Spanish students. You will have a private room, but will share common areas, the kitchen, and bathroom with your housemates. Sheets and towels will be changed once a week, but there is no cleaning service. It's everybody’s responsibility to keep the house clean and tidy. Living in the residence can be a lot of fun and is a great option to meet like-minded people from many different countries.
Internet: Almost all homestays have Internet. WIFI is available in the guest house.
Location
Sucre is located in southern Bolivia, about 2800 meters above sea level. Until 1899, Sucre was still the capital of Bolivia and has remained the judicial headquarters of the country until today. Sucre is known for its breath-taking cultural wealth, which is particularly reflected in the colonial architecture.
The old town of Sucre with its white buildings is considered one of the best-preserved examples of a colonial city in South America and thus is listed as UNESCO world heritage since 1987. Sucre has a pleasant, temperate climate with an average daily temperature of 23 °C.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your volunteer work in Bolivia, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Bolivia directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Bolivia!)
- Minimum age 17 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by our partner organization in Bolivia located in Sucre.
Costs & Services
Our volunteer project in Child Aid Programs in Bolivia includes:
- Single room in Homestay (with breakfast & dinner)*
- Single room in guesthouse (no meals)**
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs when living in Homestay (breakfast & dinner)*
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 1,180 (minimum stay 4 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 195
Costs when living in Guesthouse, self-catering**
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 1,150 (minimum stay 4 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 185
Additionally, you can book:
- Airport pick-up: US$ 40
- Spanish course in Bolivia
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
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If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
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