What is the problem and how can volunteer engineers help?

Bolivia is the most isolated and poorest country in South America. Indigenous groups, mainly Quechuas and Aymaras, make up 62% of Bolivia's population.

Poverty rates for this majority are extremely high and disproportionate to their non-indigenous counterparts; 74% of indigenous and 53 percent of non-indigenous Bolivians live daily in conditions of poverty. In rural areas, such as the highlands and valleys, these conditions worsen. Recent figures show that 72 percent of indigenous groups in rural areas are living in extreme poverty.

The amount of water rights a family has can directly dictate their wealth. Poorer families with only an hour or two of water a week can rarely earn profits large enough to save and purchase more. Buying an hour of water may cost more than twelve hundred dollars which is unfeasible.

In Cochabamba, the Municipalities have little control over the urbanisation process, which has led to an explosion in demand for water and sanitation services that they are responsible for providing. This demand has not been met by the State or the Municipality and alternative modes of service delivery have developed to fill the gap. These include community-managed water systems, and small-scale independent operators selling water by tanker. In the valley part of Tiquipaya, all domestic water services are operated by 37 local community-based drinking water committees with almost no role for the State or Municipality except sometimes providing a share of the initial investment. Such systems are common elsewhere on the peri-urban fringes of the city.

What is my role as an engineer in Bolivia?

There are three areas of the site that will need to be upgraded, these are:

1. Borehole & Pump - drill and complete the borehole
2. Power installation to the Bore Pump
3. Water storage capacity for the Bore Water

Other duties include:

* Work with existing volunteer engineers to help with the design of water infrastructure construction, including tasks such as:
o Assessing current plans and available materials.
o Designing foundations.
o Producing detailed drawings and updated plans.
* Coordinate and assist the construction of water tanks, pumping systems and any other facilities required.

What skills or qualifications do I need?

In order to ensure high standards and help the project progress you will need a Bachelors Degree in a branch of Engineering as an absolute minimum. Ideally, a qualified engineer on this project would also possess at least two years’ experience of practicing professionally as an engineer. It is important that you are confident in your ability to lead a team and in your knowledge of up to date design and construction methodologies. The person we have in mind would be confident, outgoing, friendly and creative, as well as having the patience required when working with less experienced staff and adapting to the challenges of a developing country.

N.B. While this profile advertises for an engineer, the project requires a large amount of manpower and anyone with expertise in areas such as plumbing and construction or experienced Water Specialists would also be extremely useful.

Even if you feel you do not possess the required skills or qualifications for this role, you can still help on the same project. Please visit our website for more information about volunteering in Bolivia.

What is unique about this project?

At Projects Abroad Pro we believe that volunteer placements can and should be about much more than one person helping the less fortunate. Cultural exchange has always been paramount on our projects with volunteers spending time in local communities, learning about a new culture and experiencing a different way of life. Our Skilled Volunteer Placements offer a unique chance for you to work with fellow professionals in your industry, sharing your ideas and learning to adapt your working methods to face a challenging new environment. Naturally, some of your new peers will be less experienced than you and this will provide an opportunity to pass on some of your specialised knowledge and training. However, in many cases you will meet talented, well-respected professionals happy to engage in lively debate and offering you the chance to learn and apply valuable new skills.

What guidance and support is provided?

For many years now we have been offering unparalleled in-country support for our volunteers in over 500 projects worldwide. Every Projects Abroad Pro volunteer is covered by our comprehensive medical and travel insurance. Upon arrival in Bolivia you will be collected at the airport by one of our team of staff and escorted to your new accommodation. All of our volunteers stay with local host families and you will be provided with plenty of food and clean drinking water. Our friendly and dedicated staff are on call 24 hours a day to ensure your safety and wellbeing and a member of the team will make frequent visits to check the standard of your accommodation. You will also be invited to social events such as parties and quizzes, giving you the chance to meet new volunteers and relax after work. Questions regarding any aspect of this placement are welcome and our UK office is more than happy to offer guidance and advice.

Please contact scott@projects-abroad-pro.org for the full project outline.