Overview
Volunteer in Bolivia

GVI, along with leaders and teachers of the communities around Coroico, have developed teaching projects with educational programmes to assist children and adults who otherwise may not have the opportunity of a full formal education or who need educational reinforcement. Education is free in Bolivia though parents still have to buy the basic materials for the child to attend, which they often cannot do. Volunteering on this project in South America Bolivia will take you to help people get the education they deserve.

Included in your fee is a utensils scholarship for one child for one year, as well as Spanish lessons, food, accommodation and adventure side trips. You can also explore the Yungas region – one of the most beautiful areas of Bolivia.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

Bolivia is one of South America’s poorest countries; therefore efforts made in education are of paramount importance.

Dom Williams, 2005

What Difference Does This Project Make?

Most rural families in the Yungas live off $1 a day, which must stretch to meet the demands of a family first, and education second. Therefore many children have to leave school prematurely as the families cannot even cover the costs of basic school materials. Global Vision International has started this project to encourage and improve levels of education in several of the communities around Coroico. As part of this, GVI, along with some of the volunteers’ fees, will be supplying the materials needed in the school in which we work and the materials needed to run the ‘aulas abiertas’ on a regular basis.

Highlights

Living with a host family in Coroico; teaching indigenous communities; learning Spanish; enjoying the many side trips that include mountain biking, hiking, horse riding and visiting Lake Titicaca.

Location

For the first two weeks you will be based in Coroico; a tropical town filled with colourful markets, cocoa fields, orchards and emerald-green fields. For the work, you will actually be based in the communities in which you will work, which are all within one hour’s drive from Coroico, in the Yungas, a town with a population of under 5,000. The town has many amenities including internet, bars, restaurants, shops and a hospital.

Field Conditions

Living with local families in Coroico and the surrounding communities in basic accommodation allows volunteers to fully immerse themselves in the local way of life, to have an enriching cultural experience and get the valuable opportunity to practice their Spanish! You will have your own private room, hot water, and three meals a day will be provided when with the family. The food is very typical of the area and is varied, including meats, plenty of vegetables and fruits. Vegetarians are also well catered for.