Kaya Sports Development Projects in Bolivia

  Bolivia

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Every Monday

Description: Men, women and children around the world love sport and it is a great way to interact and communicate with local people. Sport can bring communities together, contribute to healthier individuals, provide fun and teach communities valuable lessons in teamwork, leadership and discipline. For some it is an exciting way out of poverty and into an exciting sporting life. As a sports volunteer you can help provide some of these experiences by teaching in schools, creating organized activities and by passing on your experience and knowledge. You don't need to be a super star sportsman but some experience, talent and enthusiasm really does go along way.

Sports Coaching with Children in Bolivia:
Get involved in a healthy and fun type of therapy for disadvantaged or abandoned children: coaching sports. This is a project created to promote fitness, foster teamwork and boost self-esteem and achievement in at-risk youths aged from 5 to 18. Most of them come from a children's home. Volunteers can coach basketball, soccer, aerobics, dance, or just about any sport they want. As an additional and optional job, volunteers can also tutor them in their studies at school. This a great program for children to get involved in team games and sports in an organized environment, and benefit from all the valuable life lessons that playing sports has to offer.

Highlights: Everything in Bolivia is 'the highest in the world' - the mammoth Lake Titicaca, its capital La Paz, the silver mines of Potosi. Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America characterized by extreme differences in climatic and environmental conditions - from the soaring ice-capped Andean peaks to the dry salt flats to the steamy Amazon jungles. Its beauty does not just lie in its geography but is reflected in vibrant indigenous cultures, colonial cities and ancient civilizations.

The people of Bolivia are some of the poorest in South America, yet are also known to be some of the most welcoming, making it a travel-friendly country.

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.

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, traveled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the program placements. For this reason, there would be no worries for the participants.

Qualifications: Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range: Must be more than 18 years old

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

Participants Travel to Bolivia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement: Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded: 2008