Volunteer in the Bolivian Andes
Cochabamba, Bolivia is situated in a high-altitude valley surrounded by the breath-taking Andes Mountains. The city often boasts of its perfect climate with a daytime seasonal average of 72 F with no humidity. Despite the beautiful scenery and perfect climate, Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in all of the Americas. Cochabamba faces major problems such as shortages of water for farming, poor soil, and lack of industry.
The Partnerships
Amizade is partnered with several community-based organizations, each working specifically to improve the living conditions in the region.
Ceoli – Centro de Atencion Integral
This non-profit organization provides education and healthcare to low-income children with disabilities and works with those children to develop self-sufficiency. Many Ceoli employees speak some English, so volunteers may begin serving immediately after arrival.
Millennium
Millennium is a non-profit volunteer organization created by doctors and psychologists. They provide health and mental care to many orphanages in Cochabamba city. One of their goals is to train volunteers to help with delivery of services and to show affection and care for the children.
Asilo de Ancianos “Buen Pastor”
Asilo de Ancianos "Buen Pastor" is a nursing home for men and women. Catholic nuns operate the home, but the residents have their own faith. With the collaboration of many institutions and individuals they built small stores to rent to help them provide adequate care for the residents and to help them be self-sufficient.
Viloma High School
Viloma is a poor community outside of Cochabamba, Bolivia. The current school is a small converted cow stable. Because of the lack of an adequate facility, some children in this area either do not attend school or walk miles to attend a school.
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The Commitment
Projects that are available vary with each program. Volunteers do not need any special skills to participate, just a willingness to serve. Service projects are coordinated according to a schedule set by the community; therefore, they may change at the last minute to better fit the current needs of the community. Where possible, volunteer’s individual interests may be accommodated through specific service projects or additional recreational and cultural activities. Current volunteer opportunities are available with the following organizations:
Ceoli – Centro de Atencion Integral
CEOLI needs volunteers in a number of areas, from health-related concerns to administrative tasks, and helping children with crafts, etc. Volunteers do not need any specific background or special skills. Many Ceoli employees speak some English, so volunteers may begin serving immediately after arrival.
Millennium
Volunteers take care of groups of children, read to children, share games, etc. Volunteers with some medical training are needed to assist with medical care. While non-medical volunteers do not need any special training, at least basic Spanish knowledge is required to ensure effective communication with the children.
Asilo de Ancianos “Buen Pastor”
Volunteers take care of the residents, read to residents, talk or listen with the residents, and/or help in the construction area. Basic Spanish skills are required to communicate with residents.
Viloma High School
Volunteers work on most aspects of the construction of the high school with skilled local masons. Local masons supervise and teach both the Amizade volunteers and local volunteers on every part of the project. No special skills are needed to work on this project. A basic understanding of Spanish is helpful in order to communicate with local workers and residents.
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The Impact
One of the goals of Amizade is to help the Bolivian people obtain access to adequate health care. In the mid-1980s the country had 1 physician for every 1600 inhabitants. The infant mortality rate is among the highest in South America; malaria, dysentery, and tuberculosis are common, and there was a serious outbreak of yellow fever in the late 1980s. Medical services and hospitals are particularly inadequate in rural areas. Bolivia has a comprehensive social insurance plan, but it covers less than half the working population.
Volunteers will also provide assistance to the elderly and to children. Groups of elderly are taken care of at Asilo de Ancianos. Ceoli and Millennium take care of children of all ages. The communities will benefit from any assistance that we can provide.
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Program Details
Amizade Schedule - See our schedule for upcoming Bolivia program dates and costs.
Handbook - Logistical information and more is available in our Bolivia Handbook.
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Resources
>> Latin World
>> Conozca Bolivia
>> What's the weather today in Cochabamba?
>> US State Department Consular Information Sheet - Bolivia
Bolivia Program References
Gabriel Eidelman - gabeeidelman@hotmail.com
Amanda Blose - blose13@hotmail.com
Katherine Gregory - Gregory@uwp.edu
Alyssa Truszkowski - art1@pitt.edu
Mallory Womer - mew22@pitt.edu
Reid Ewing and family - rewing1@umd.edu
Stephanie Shin - stephshin509@gmail.com
Marvin
and Martie Wachs - mwachs@ipa.net
Sandra
Noll - sjnoll@earthlink.net
Tessa
Pendley - ursilly2@hotmail.com
Ben
Bogosian - bbogosia@uvm.edu
Tom
Carmen - bermesedays@hotmail.com
Kathleen
Bobbio - krbobbio@vt.edu
Chana
Korenblum - chanakorenblum@hotmail.com
