Quick Facts
Program code
BO-VOL101
Category
Volunteer Work, Health Care, 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
Whether you choose to work in a psychiatric institution or at a center for disabled children and teenagers, you will find this volunteer work experience in Bolivia to be very gratifying!
The center for disabled children and teenagers is run by a non-profit organization and helps both the children and their families, especially single mothers. Most of the children who receive care at the rehabilitation center come from the rural areas around Sucre.
The doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists who take care of the children, support their patients while always being compassionate, sympathetic, and friendly.
The center consists of five different areas:
- A boarding school
- Units of occupational therapy and patient’s mobility
- A day care area
- An inclusive school project
Volunteers are welcome and needed in all of these areas, especially volunteers with knowledge in physical therapy. Currently, there are about 400 patients (numbers subject to change) taken care of by a team of doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, and Bolivian medical students. For those interested in mental health, working in the psychiatry area is an excellent opportunity to make a tangible difference and gain invaluable international work experience. All of our partner institutions are located in and around Sucre.
Tasks
In this volunteer program in the Bolivian healthcare sector, you will have the opportunity to either work in a center for disabled children and teenagers or care for patients with mental health issues in a psychiatric institution. It's up to you to decide which of these programs best matches your interests for a work abroad program in Bolivia!
The center for disabled children and teenagers consists of different areas: At the boarding school, volunteers work to improve the self-esteem of the children. Volunteers play with the children, take them for short walks, feed them, assist with arts and crafts, do sports with them, and more. Occupational therapy helps people with severe disabilities and is carried out through some technical training in knitting, embroidering, manual arts, and more. Volunteers that help with patients’ mobility assist with basic activities with the kids, such as giving them a bath, dressing them, and transporting them. In the daycare area, taking care of the children, feeding them, and playing with them are the most important tasks. The school project needs volunteers with psychological or educational knowledge to help in the classrooms.
Many of the children have complicated family backgrounds. Some of them either have parents that lack the necessary resources or interest to care appropriately for their disabilities. Due to their disabilities and their need for special care, these children are not accepted in children’s homes. As a volunteer, you will help to care for these patients by supporting the work of the doctors and nurses. In any of the areas, you will assist with organizing activities and games, such as songs, dances, drawing pictures, and doing crafts. Additionally, you will help the children with homework and other exercises to help build their self-confidence. It is important that you are creative, open-minded, and tolerant. You should also be flexible since you might be asked to help out wherever your assistance is needed most.
Please keep in mind that this type of project in Bolivia has limited resources and doesn’t have modern equipment or well-furnished buildings. It’s best to be modest, friendly, compassionate, and warm-hearted so that you bring a smile to the children’s' faces.
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 20 °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 Health Care in Bolivia includes:
- Single room in Homestay (breakfast & dinner)*
- Single room in guest house (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 (with breakfast & dinner)*
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 1,180 (minimum stay 4 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 195
Costs when living in Guest House (no meals)**
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 in Sucre: US$ 40
- Spanish course in Bolivia
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
Is it difficult for you to decide between the many great projects? You want to see and experience as much as possible during your stay in Latin America? Then build your own itinerary - experience more & see more! Our program combination makes it possible!
All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
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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