Project Summary

There are several opportunities to work with adults and children with disabilities in schools in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. These specialized schools are commonly under-funded and under-staffed. They need your assistance in order to provide adequate care and attention to these students with disabilities. By having volunteers available at these schools, the faculty is able to concentrate their resources and students are able to receive more individualized care, allowing them to learn and progress at an accelerated rate.

:: School for the Deaf

One the projects involves a school for deaf students. There are roughly 100 students who attend this school who are classified in 5 levels, from 6 to 15 years. In addition there are also workshops for those with hearing disabilities age 15 to 23 years old. There are 10 teachers and staff members helping at the school and each class contains 15 to 20 students.

:: School for the Blind

Another important project in the Santa Cruz is a special school for the blind that supports more than 120 children and adults with visual disabilities. This school provides basic and specialized education to their student and offer additional services blind people in the community of Santa Cruz as well. Some of these services include a clinic for blind people with limited resources, seminars directed to parents and professionals regarding integrating blind people with the local community and providing occupational therapy and training in areas such as gardening and textile making.

:: School for Children with Down's Syndrome

There is also a school for children with Down's Syndrome. The school is geared towards helping students develop skills in areas such as ceramics, cooking, gardening and computers so that they have the tools to support themselves in later stages in their lives. There are 150 students, classified in 3 levels of progress. Individuals with Down's Syndrome require a high-level of care and attention. As a result there are only 5 students per class, and 22 current teachers and staff employed at the school.

At a Glance

Minimum Program Length:	2 weeks
Start Date:	Every Monday
Arrival Date:	2 days prior to your Start Date (Saturday)
Minimum Age:	18 years old, 20 for Down's Syndrome project
Volunteer Gender:	Male and Female
Accommodation:	Your accommodation is included in the program price. Volunteers will be staying with homestay families in rural communities throughout the central valley region. Our homestays offer single or shared rooms and three meals a day provided by your host family. Volunteer Visions feels that this is the best way to become familiar with Bolivian culture and practice your Spanish. All homestays are located in safe areas and are within short distances of your project locations. If you prefer to have your own accommodation, we can gladly arrange other types of accommodations (apartments, hostels, hotels etc.). Please inquire about alternative accommodations in advance to get pricing.
Food:	Three meals a day are included in the program fee.
Pick-up Info:	You will be greeted at the Santa Cruz airport and guided to your homestay family by a Volunteer Visions representative. A volunteer coordinator will also take you to your project location the first day so that you become familiarized with the route to your destination. The coordinator will also introduce you to the staff of the project so to ensure that you are properly placed in the program.
Project Schedule:	The working day can range from 3-5 hours of teaching in the morning or afternoon Monday to Friday with a lunch break. Project Closed Dates and Holidays :: January 1st (New years) :: May 1st (Labor day) :: August 6th (Bolivia's Independence day) :: September 24th (Santa Cruz´s Anniversary) :: December 24-25th (Christmas)

Your role as a Volunteer

You will have the chance to assist teachers in conducting their daily class lessons. There is a range of subjects that are covered within the classroom which include math, literature, sciences and history, music and dance. Workshops are also available which involve teaching job skills to the students in areas such as cooking, dressmaking, cosmetology, and carpentry. There are also opportunities to become involved in after school activities and sports. If you have medical training or a background in therapy or psychology, you can dedicate your time towards collaborating with local professionals and educating them about updated methods of diagnostics and treatment.

Project Location

The city of Santa Cruz, commonly referred to as the 'tropical paradise of Bolivia', has a population of nearly 1.3 million. It is located in the eastern part of the country. Situated 416 m above sea level, the climate is generally warm and temperate. It is also the economic heart of the country, but has avoided over-development and has managed to maintain its colonial architecture and old-world charm. The easy-going atmosphere, friendliness of the locals and the palm tree lined streets lend to its warm and welcoming feel.

Local Activities & Excursions

Santa Cruz offers a wide range of attractions and activities. A guided tour of the city is included in your program fee. This tour will allow you to become familiar with the layout of the city and give you chance to see some of the major attractions in Santa Cruz. During your spare time, you can visit one of the many beautiful cathedrals, museums, lagoons and parks that dot the city. There are also several opportunities to explore the pre-Incan ruins, 18th century Jesuit missionaries and pristine forest area that surround the city. You may also decide to go swimming, visit the theatres, learn Bolivian cooking, join a local football (soccer) team or even enroll in a Latin dance class.

Suggested Skills and Interests

Volunteers involved in the special care programs in Santa Cruz need to be highly patient and motivated. It is important to understand that these students learn at slower rates due to their disabilities and that they require much more time and care. No prior training or background is necessary to participate in these projects but if you have a background in medicine, therapy or psychology your skills would be welcomed and highly valued. But more importantly, you should be open-minded to the challenges that may arise from dealing with children and adults with disabilities.

Suggested Language Level

Supplementary Spanish language classes are offered at the local language school for volunteers interested in practicing and learning Spanish. The classes are run by certified ESL teachers and the groups are no typically no larger than 8 students.

Although these classes are not mandatory, we suggest that you take these classes if you have little or no background in Spanish. Classes start at $500 for 2 weeks with additional weeks available for $210. Classes are held three hours a day from Monday to Friday and accommodation and 3 meals a day are included in the program fee.

Suggested Donations

Donations of books, pens, notebooks etc. are welcomed.