Volunteer with Sustainable Bolivia - Performing Life

  Bolivia

Cochabamba

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Please contact us for more information

Description: Performing Life empowers youth through visual and performing arts. Juggling is popular within the organization, and handicrafts are made by children and sold abroad to maximize profits. The money is invested into micro-enterprise projects run by the children and their families. Volunteers may run juggling/ crafts workshops, aid in the micro-enterprise development, or provide educational assistance

Performing Life Projects:

Juggling Workshop:
The workshops aim to improve juggling techniques, as more skills would mean better money and less time spent on the streets. In the future, Performing Life plans to use juggling acts as a form of fundraising.

Bracelet Making Workshop:
The workshop aims to develop jewelry making skills and to teach new techniques. The bracelets are then sent to the U.S. and the money generated is put into savings accounts for the children. The workshop also teaches the children basic business skills as they are involved in every step. This year more than 800 bracelets, worth $5,000 have been shipped.

Investment Project:
Using money stored in savings accounts, the Investment Project creates micro-enterprise opportunities for the families of children working on the streets, The Investment Project helps families become self sufficient, which ultimately keeps children off the street. Projects in the past have included horticulture, construction and livestock.

Highlights: Our primary objective is to provide Bolivian organizations with much needed human and financial resources while providing international travelers, students and professionals the opportunity to gain practical work experience through internships and volunteer opportunities in Bolivia.

For all individuals wishing to donate their time, Sustainable Bolivia offers free airport pick up, free orientation and city map, as well as 24 hour staff support. Additionally we provide low cost Spanish or Quechua language lessons, free internet access, unlimited free calls to US and select European landlines, family stay opportunities, private or shared accommodations and reduced travel prices to one of our sustainable ecotourism destinations. We also organize optional social and cultural activities in the evening and on weekends.

Qualifications: Volunteer requirements:

    * Interest in working with street children
    * Beginner Spanish
    * Artistic skill preferred
    * Knowledge in pedagogy, psychology, sociology, law, medicine, business, etc. (desired but not required)
    * Be flexible, motivate, tolerant and enthusiastic
    * Minimum commitment period of one week

Cost in US$: 550

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Someone who is open minded and willing to learn. They are also interested in cross cultural communication and in helping the local communities in a non-intrusive manner. Sustainable Bolivia volunteers are environmentally conscious and eager to learn more about Bolivia. They are adaptable, understanding and cheerful.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Bolivia Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Sustainable Bolivia's Mission Statement: Sustainable Bolivia is a developmental institution headquartered in Cochabamba, Bolivia. With projects in the Andean highlands and the Amazonian lowlands, our primary objective is to assist local communities in the development of environmentally, socially and fiscally sustainable ecotourism programs. Through the promotion of sustainable tourism, language studies and volunteer placement, our mission is to provide the conscientious traveler a way to experience the immense natural and cultural wealth of Bolivia in a way that is non-intrusive and environmentally, socially and fiscally sustainable.