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Work in a School for the Blind in Bolivia

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Location Bolivia
Start Date Every Monday
Duration
Book now for

The Project

Volunteer in Bolivia and help the efforts of a combined school/clinic that supports more than 120 vision-impaired children and adults, most of whom have limited resources. The facility also works with families and the community at large, teaching parents and professionals in different areas about how to integrate people with blindness into the community and business world. They also provide occupational therapy such as gardening and artisan textile making.
Why the project needs you

Specialised schools such as these are commonly under-funded and under-staffed. They need assistance in order to provide adequate care and attention to their students, who as disabled people are usually disregarded in developing society. By having volunteers available to help, the on-site staff is able to concentrate its resources and gather new ideas and knowledge from skilled volunteers. Students are able to receive more individual care, so they can learn and progress more effectively.

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. It's 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: 4 - 26 weeks
• Cost: £1025 ($1794) for 2 weeks, £175 ($306) each extra week. Discounts for stays of 3 months or more
• Requirements: Age 20+
• Location: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
• Project activities: Working within the school and the clinic to assist medical and educational support.
• Working Hours: Monday-Friday 7.00-12.00
• 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
• Lunch and Dinner on Sundays
• Optional Spanish Classes available at $7/hour

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's 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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