Volunteer at an Orphanage in Bolivia

General Info

providing a community service where all funds go to benefit orphaned and abandoned children in Bolivia. It is operated under the protection of the Catholic Church Administration with residence in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Their mission is to provide support for development of orphaned or abandoned children with social problems in a home and family atmosphere. In order to provide better future prospects, the villages offer a secure, permanent and protected upbringing with appropriate education to enable employment and future self sufficiency. This vocational work is done in an open way to provide a fair, equal and prosperous society.

The objective of the Villages is to provide a community service for the problems of abandoned children. It has no political affiliations or profit making aims.

The children's villages consist of individual family units, each housing a mixed gender group of 10-12 children of various ages. Each house is headed by a foster mother who manages the household independently. All live in harmony like a traditional family with mother and siblings. Siblings of blood are kept together. The children grow up in the children's villages and are being raised at home and in school on strong moral and religious principles.

Once they have reached age 15-16 and completed middle school, they live in separate boys' and girls' residences. Most of them will go on to study a technical or professional career, and a few will even continue higher education at the University. Each child makes their own career decision based on his or her individual talents and intellect.

The children remain in the residences until they are able to lead an independent life outside. Once their mission is accomplished, they integrate our youth into the society from which they came as respectable and educated persons.

Program Information
Program Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program. Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Beginner Spanish knowledge is recommended.

Project Location
The project placements are located in the city of Santa Cruz Most of the volunteer placements are located within 15 - 30 minutes away from their accommodation and volunteers use local transportation such as mini bus or taxis for their commuting.