What is the Family Volunteering: Community Development Projects in Bolivia all about?
Volunteer in one of the poorest country in South America, yet in the most friendly environment, you can envision for your family! This community will welcome you with open arms and your efforts will be much appreciated. Volunteer work for all the family will focus on a variety of projects dedicated to the developing and further the interests of the community.
Projects relating to nutrition and education are designed to support educational development. Volunteers advise and work with women in charge of providing food for schools and orphanages and assist in children’s centres which contributes to change in two important areas; improving the level of attention children receive and the nutritional value of their meals. Similarly, sports coaching and after-school clubs have been designed to give children somewhere to spend their evenings and focus their energy on something constructive. Lastly, as tourism in Bolivia is thriving, two initiatives have been set up so that local people and businesses can benefit from the input of international volunteers as they design and deliver workshops based on advancement in business and contribute to maintaining the local area by planting trees and painting murals.
Why choose this Family Community Volunteering project in Bolivia?
From the wide selection of placements in this Community Development volunteering option, you can find something the whole family will enjoy! Your skills as native English speakers will inspire and advance the community’s English education. By volunteering as a family, you will be able to influence many areas of this rural community. Provide your children with a different life perspective and grow closer as a family by providing extra assistance to this needy community.
Role of the family community volunteer
- Parents and older children – Depending on your skills and interest and the project needs, you may be involved in:
- Sports coaching – volunteers run after-school sports activities for children in the area, including teaching rules of games and introducing new ones.
- Children’s centre – here your skills will determine your level of responsibility, but you will typically work alongside educators to look after the children, prepare and serve meals, run games and creative activities and help with homework.
- Nutrition workshops – you will be required to work closely with local people, preparing materials for nutrition training in the community and share meal ideas with local staff.
- Local tourism project – your role will be to assist local businesses with growth by preparing business plans and materials to promote the business, discussing the role of new marketing vehicles and delivering English language classes.
- Animal and environment conservation – help locals to achieve a cleaner community by painting murals and public art, planting trees and helping in an animal refuge.
Younger children may accompany parents and participate in activities with local children, helping everyone to adjust to a new culture and attitudes to learning. They will not be able to take responsibility for teaching, or working directly with animals, but will join in with activities such as art, murals and environmental work. It will be a fun time for all!
What skills does our family need to volunteer on this community project in Bolivia?
Parents and older children – skills in teaching, nutrition and sports would be very useful and those with experience will have the opportunity to have more of a leadership role. Children will work alongside local staff.
Younger children – No specific skills are required for children to partake in activities but a basic grasp of Spanish is helpful.
Travel during COVID times
The health and safety of our travelers and our local communities remain central to our plans for reopening countries and projects. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been adapting our programs and protocols to protect all those involved, and ask for everyone’s patience and collaboration as new rules are implemented in-country. For all projects, new standards of sanitation, procedures and social behaviors are in place, including new health and hygiene protocols and social distancing practices. You can read more here. Each location may be slightly different in the way they operate. We encourage you to inquire to your placement advisor to learn more about your specific project as you plan for your responsible return to travel!
REOPENING IN 2023
WHY JOIN THE PROJECT
FEATURED VIDEO
PROJECT TESTIMONIALS
Where will we work in Bolivia?
About the Location
Bolivia is also known as The Tibet of the Americas since many Bolivians maintain the ways of their great ancestors. Your volunteer project will be based in La Paz, a city with a cool climate due to the high altitude. Bolivia’s dry season begins in May and runs through June July and August which is perfect if you’re planning to volunteer abroad in the summer holidays.
Bolivia is a destination filled with beautiful scenery for you and your family to explore. The western side of the country is made up of the Andes mountain range and in the southern parts you will find the salt flats known as “Salar de Uynui”. Bolivia is also home to the highest lake on the planet, Lake Titicaca. This lake is also one of the widest in the world. To put this into perspective, it would take your family 6 hours to cross in a hydrofoil boat!
The locals of Bolivia are known for their celebrations and fiestas, as they are such an important part of Bolivian life. Gatherings and parties take place up and down the country on a regular basis, so it would be difficult to miss one, even if you’re only in Bolivia for a short stay!
Family accommodation
You and your family will be staying in a homely village called Mallasa (pronounced Mayasa) whilst on your family volunteering project. Mallasa is around 30 – 45 minutes from La Paz so you and your family can easily take a trip into the city centre outside working hours. In Mallasa, you will experience a strong sense of community, lots of natural beauty and the opportunity for yourself and your family members to develop speaking the Spanish language. Accommodation size will vary according to your preferences and family size, but typically you will be staying in a well-furnished volunteer house with running water, indoor plumbing and electricity. There is also a kitchen area inside the volunteer houses, where you can prepare and cook meals for your family. You can also enjoy a family night out at the local pizzeria where you can grab a delicious pizza for just £4 ($7)!
What to do in your spare time with your family
Outside project working hours, you and your family can head into La Paz to discover a host of restaurants, cafes and bars. If your family is into music, then there’s plenty of clubs with live music on, so make sure you go and see some of the local artists performing.
If your family like to do a bit of shopping, then you must take a trip down to Mercado Market where you can find all sorts of trinkets and treasure to purchase. Otherwise, you could keep an eye out for some of the smaller boutiques, such as Comart Tukuypai, which sells goods that support artisans from poorer backgrounds.
Be sure to enjoy the diverse Bolivian landscape if your family has a passion for nature. From the ice-capped Andean peaks to the dry salt flats and steamy Amazon jungles, Bolivia has no shortage of spectacular natural sites for you and your family to enjoy.
Details & Costs
- Duration: 2+ weeks
- Cost: – 16 and Above: £779 / $1216
– Children 10-15: £510 / $796
– Children 5-9: £439 / $686
– Additional weeks available on request. - Requirements: Basic Spanish Level
- Location: La Paz, Bolivia
- Working hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 16:00
- Project availability: All year round
- Arrival day: Monday
What is included
- Accommodation: variety of options depending on family size
- Airport pick up and drop off from La Paz International Airport (fees vary depending on family size, please ask)
- Training: pre-departure information pack, on-site orientation and project induction
- Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Fundraising Guide
What is not included
- Flights
- Food
- Insurance
- Visas
- Police/Government Background Check: US and UK citizens processed through Kaya (admin fee applies); all other nationalities must provide local police check – Required for over 18 years of age
- Daily transfers to and from your project (would cost approx. 50 cents per day)
Pictures from our Family Volunteering: Community Development Projects in Bolivia
Easy 4-step application process
APPLY ONLINE
Apply online and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.
TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.
CONFIRMATION
Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.
GET PREPARED
When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.