Bolivia Volunteers is an independent not-for-profit organization with over ten years´ experience placing international volunteers in a variety of locations in Cochabamba, including orphanages, schools, universities, hostels, environmental, and animal welfare projects. Our Mission Statement is simple Volunteering should be about giving direct, meaningful, and lasting help to those who need it most We make a difference -- not a profit Our placement fees are much lower that those charged by other organizations offering similar volunteer placements. Our administration costs are met by the donations we receive from a number of Sponsors and Benefactors, allowing us to keep our fees to a minimum and ensuring that they are used exclusively for the benefit of the projects we serve. Once the costs of arranging a placement have been met, all remaining funds are donated to the projects. All our placements are totally flexible in terms of start date and duration, to match the volunteer´s availability. Discounts are available for couples and groups. We never use hostels, dorms or bed & breakfast accommodation. The accommodation we provide is in a private room in a family home, or private apartment, and our volunteers are given every opportunity to play an active part in traditional family life and the
local community, whilst experiencing the customs, traditions &
cultures, architecture, cuisine, leisure facilities, and everything the project location has to offer. Our Staff Enrique
(Director)
studied Travel
& Tourism Business Administration at UCLA. Following
his graduation he embarked on an extensive tour of South
America, including working as a Tour Guide at the Inca Trail of Machu
Picchu for two years, and eventually settling in Bolivia. Enrique´s
work includes project and volunteer matching, accommodation sourcing,
website design, publicity, contracts & finances. Clau (City Host) who makes the local arrangements to ensure
that everything is in place ready for the volunteers arrival, and
that their stay is as enjoyable and beneficial as possible. Including
local projects - family homestay accommodation - social activities -
cinema visits - soccer matches - swimming tournaments - bowling
competitions - city tours - day trips and week-end breaks. Fluent in English, Clau has many years´ experience in caring for our
volunteers. Silvia
(Accommodation)
works to ensure that everything is
prepared at the home-stay; that volunteers are allocated the most
suitable accommodation, and are given every opportunity to be
included in family and local community life whilst they are there.
Silvia sometimes hosts volunteers in her own home, (her cooking and
home-baked cakes are second to none), and there have been many
emotional farewells when it is time to leave. Andrew
(El Gringo)
is our Englishman abroad and Mr. Fix-it, always ´on call´ when needed. Airport transfers, welcome
meetings, city tours, visa extensions, cellphone top-ups, trips to
the supermarket, tips on which restaurants and bars to use (and which
to avoid), day and weekend trips -- just a few of the
things he ´fixes´ for us and our volunteers. His people skills,
warm personality, and ability to smile in all circumstances make
volunteers feel welcome the moment they arrive. A keen photographer,
and many volunteers have a souvenir photo-album as a permanent
reminder of their time spent with us. We believe that a placement should be of benefit to all. To the project of course, but also to the volunteer, and the phrase ¨The experience of a life-time¨ is often used when volunteers describe their time spent with us. We look forward to welcoming you to Bolivia.
