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Work at a Baby Shelter and Children’s Orphanage in Bolivia

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Location Bolivia
Start Date Every Monday
Duration
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The Project

Volunteer in Bolivia and spend your time working in an orphanage with children aged between 0-10 years. Within the orphanage there is a non-profit shelter for babies from 0 to 6 years old and it is here that a small number of staff take care of about 100 babies, feeding them and giving them basic education prior to enrolling in school. On site, the children are divided in groups based on their age. The first group includes babies from 0 to 9 months old; then there is another group of babies from 9 months to 1 year old, another from 1 year to 3 years old and the last group of children are from 3 to 6 years old. There is also a small nursery on site.

The project works to promote the adoption of the babies in the orphanage; if a child is not adopted before they are 6 years old they go to other orphanages which cater specifically for older children. The older children attend school in the mornings and return at lunchtime where the orphanage aims to provide an alternative home. The main attribute of this local orphanage is the quality of the integral education of abandoned and unprotected children of Santa Cruz, so they can integrate fully into local Bolivian culture and life their lives to the full.
Why the project needs you

With 15 staff to the 100 babies during the day, they are not able to provide to time and resources to give enough attention to each individual child. In these most formative years, the more interaction, play and encouragement the childen can get, the more likely they are to socially interact, learn and develop life skills. This particular orphanage is in desperate need of help from volunteers to tend to the children. or the older children (6-10 years) the opportunity for a little support with their homework and the attention to develop their social skills are invaluable for their development. Only with the help of volunteers can this be achieved.

Project Location

Santa Cruz de la Sierra ("Holy Cross of the Hills"), in the tropical lowlands of east-central Bolivia, has been growing at an unprecedented pace in the past 15 years and its boom continues. Besides being renowned for its historical 18th-century Jesuit missions, Santa Cruz is well known for its cuisine, which benefits from the agricultural richness and diversity of the region. Its local culture and traditions are similarly distinctive - a visit to Santa Cruz during its frenetic and colourful Carnival season will leave a lifelong impression! Besides having all the amenities of a modern city, Santa Cruz is within easy reach of Bolivia's most stunning natural offerings including remote Andes peaks and steamy rainforests. Santa Cruz is known as almost a country unto itself, whose residents are very proud to call it home.
Project Facts

• Duration: 2 - 26 weeks
• Cost: £675 ($1181) for 2 weeks, £175 ($306) each extra week. Discounts for stays of 3 months or more
• Requirements: Age 17+
• Location: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
• Project Activities: Feeding and washing babies, teaching and playing with children, help with homework
• Working Hours: Mon-Fri 8.30- 12.30 or 15.00-19.00
• Project Availability: Weekly start dates
What is included

• Accommodation: Single or shared room in a home-stay
• Food: 3 meals per day – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (except Sundays)
• Airport pick up and drop off
• Training: Orientation and project induction provided
• Support: 24 hour support
• Excursions Planning: Staff help organise weekend activities. (Activity price may be extra)
What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
• Daily Transport to and from your project
• Optional Spanish classes available at $7/hour
• Lunch and Dinner on Sundays

Your life outside the project

Santa Cruz was originally known as more of an entertainment capital than a cultural or business mecca, but today it's a mixture of all three. Even so, most of its modern amenities fade away rather quickly the farther outside the city you traverse. Just outside the city limits are flourishing and diverse ecosystems, tropical agriculture, and rural populations. Within the urban areas you can picnic along the banks of the Pirai River, marvel at the exotic species found in the Municipal Zoo, browse art galleries, museums, and shops, hang out in the cafes or plazas, or explore the beautiful cathedrals and missions. About 440 km outside the city is the spectacular Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado, a national park boasting waterfalls, exotic wildlife, rainforests and rivers. Another exciting day trip is the ruins complex of El Fuerte de Samaipata, an Inca fortress that has been designated a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO. Bring a camera, as something interesting is always around the corner.
Ideas for Independent Travel

The Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats

This is the largest salt flat in the world covering an area of 10,582km2. It holds around 10 billion tons of salt and half of the world's lithium. Its vastness is unbelievable as it stretches off into the horizon and touches the sky.

Cordiellera Real

Marvel at the most imposing mountain range in Bolivia, with 6 peaks reaching over 19,000 ft. One of the least-trekked areas of the Andes, it contains a high concentration of active wildlife including condors, bears and the occasional puma. There are treks for various levels of experience.

Lake Titicaca

Standing at the base of the majestic Andean mountains, 12,500 ft. above sea level, is the vast and imposing Lake Titicaca. This giant body of water spans across Bolivia and Peru and is the largest lake in South America. Along its banks are ancient ruins and indigenous villages to explore.

Project Quality

Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.

Accommodation & Meals

Volunteers are placed in local home-stays where they either have their own room or share with another volunteer. Three meals a day are provided by the home-stay family, all included in the placement fees, with the exception of lunch and dinner on Sundays. This way a portion of your volunteer fee goes back into the local economy, and you gain first-hand experience of true local family life.

In-Country Coordinators

Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.

24/7 Emergency Support

As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.

Kaya Help-desk

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.

Briefing Pack & Materials

Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.

Airport Pickup

When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.

Cultural Excursions

Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.

Arrival Orientation

Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.

Language Classes

You can opt to take Spanish classes during your project, for $7 per hour just ask your local coordinator to arrange these.

Local Community Benefits

Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.

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