In many regards, Bolivia is still a developing country that greatly appreciates the aid provided by international volunteers. Considering that this South American nation is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world, volunteering in Bolivia is an unforgettable experience.
Where You Can Help
These towns and cities are where most projects are available to join:
- Santa Cruz
- Cochabamba
- La Paz
- Sucre
- Oruro
- Tarija
- Potosí
- Sacaba
- Montero
- Quillacollo
Best Volunteering Programs in Bolivia
There are countless of volunteering programmes in Bolivia to choose from.
In the larger cities of Bolivia, such as La Paz, Sucre, or Santa Cruz, community volunteering projects revolve around administrative, research, or fundraising positions. You can also opt to work with street children, people with disabilities, or victims of crime. Teachers can also volunteer in a number of Bolivian public schools.
Programmes in more remote areas of Bolivia involve helping local communities develop: teaching them English, computer skills, or involving yourself in construction projects. Foreigners can also choose to volunteer at a wildlife refuge or they can involve themselves in eco-tourism projects.
Medical professionals willing to volunteer their abilities and skills are also highly sought after, both in urban and rural settings. In addition, there are a variety of health education programmes foreigners can enrol in.
Top Rated Organizations
There are numerous international volunteering organisations currently operating in Bolivia, such as the Peace Corps, which offer long term programmes, even up to two years. The support given by an international organisation is undisputable: pre-departure and ongoing support as well as various allowances.
Requirements
In order to participate in this programs, each student must meet the following requirements:
- Sometimes participants are required to have at least a basic to intermediate level of Spanish with regards to both comprehension and verbal communication. For anyone arriving without any prior Spanish language experience, this can be accomplished within 3 to 4 weeks of Spanish study, depending on your ability level, effort and hours dedicated to studying each week.
- You can submit an application online for a desired volunteer position. Organisations will review and forward the request, along with the student’s resume or curriculum vitae, to the appropriate parties.
- In order to participate most companies say you must be available for at least 2 weeks.
- If you intend on spending more than 3 months in Bolivia, you might be required to apply for residency. Contact a local embassy for more info.