Care & Community - BOLIVIA Project Information for Care and Community in Bolivia

Our Care and Community Placements in Bolivia

Our Care and Community placements are in the area of Cochabamba, where volunteers work in a number of day care centres and orphanages, some with special needs children. Volunteers work with all ages from children as young as 2 to adults of 35. On average they work 8 hours per day from Monday to Friday.

The main role of the volunteer is to give care and attention to children who really need it. Some placements involve caring for children who have been involved in drug abuse or prostitution, and with psychological or physical health problems. These placements are challenging, but are equally as rewarding. Probably the greatest input a volunteer can have at these care placements is to bring some fun into the lives of these children. Simply by being there, playing games, showing affection and providing some much needed love and attention they make an important contribution.

Volunteers are also required to help with homework, sports, music, crafts, art and dance. They also accompany children to school, give basic literacy lessons in Spanish, teach the importance of hygiene, help with kitchen duties, tidy rooms, and clean the garden areas. At some placements, practical help is needed, so previous volunteers have joined forces a few times a week to work on community projects such as painting walls in the orphanages, creating a garden or helping with clearing up and rebuilding.

The thing all the care placements have in common is that they are designed to help children who have precious few other people to whom they can turn. Volunteers are always warmly welcomed by both staff and children, and their help greatly appreciated.