Gaia Pacha - Environmental Technology, Environmental Education, Research

Gaia Pacha Foundation is a leading non-profit in South America, in the area of environmental technology, environmental education, climate research and environmental research (particularly socio-economic impact studies of agricultural practices). Supervised internships and volunteer work in the fields of biology, ecology, project management and environmental technology are possible; you can also participate in research activities.

This placement is possible as a Remote / Online internship from home! Tasks for Online Interns: Writing articles in English about Gaia Pacha's research work to be published in journals, websites etc. based on information exchange with the employees of Gaia Pacha; international fundraising. The online internship is 450 EUR (one-time fee for any duration). Just submit the inquiry/order form form and mention "Online Internship"!

What is your placement organisation doing?

Gaia Pacha is a non-profit foundation based in Cochabamba, Bolivia, which was founded in 2006 by 14 young graduates from the field of environmental technology. Their task is to explore the fragile interaction between man and nature, in order to develop sustainable techniques and technologies that meet the needs of the Bolivian society in an environmentally sound manner.

Since 2008, Bolivian and foreign students and specialists have been integrated as interns and volunteers in the team; there were in the first 4 years, 41 foreign and 77 Bolivian interns and volunteers. They are particularly active in the fields of environmental education and research.

The environmental education is aimed at sensitizing target audience about environmental issues, so that they are able to make better decisions and positive changes in their behavior, in favor of the environment.

The research is to determine scientific methods and techniques from the fields of natural and social sciences that can be implemented as practical solutions for the environment and society of Bolivia. The focus is in the areas of climate change and evaluation of socio-economic impact and ecology in agricultural practices.

In the area of environmental education, Gaia Pacha has its presence in places such as schools, community centers, cultural centers, etc.

Gaia Pacha has airtime on the alternative radio station "Lachiwana”. Volunteers/Interns research on environmental issues, and work on content for the program "Lachiwana Verde" which airs in Cochabamba and other parts of Bolivia.

Gaia Pacha has conducted three times a year since 2006, the "Day of the Pedestrian”, a campaign for environmental awareness. There are creative activities designed for children and adults. Each campaign addresses different environmental problems; e.g. the Madidi National Park, the perception of climate change among the rural population of Bolivia or product recycling. The campaign "manzanas Verdes” revolves around education about topics such as saving energy, water and waste management, in cooperation with the four cultural centers of Cochabamba. In the cultural centers, topics are presented through artistic activities, like films.

Gaia Pacha also works with high school students and trains them to become environmental managers. 10 groups of environmental leaders have been trained since 2011, and there are projects developed with them, as they can carry out environmental activities within their schools and communities.

In the field of environmental research, Gaia Pacha collaborates with organizations such as Habitat Para La Humanidad Bolivia, the Faculty of Forestry of the Universidad Mayor de San Simón (UMSA), the Center for Students of Environmental Engineering of the Catholic University of Bolivia (UCB) and the Cordillera University. This collaboration always leads to current research topics.

Volunteers in the field assist in research and will also contribute to the research activities, both in the field of secondary research (literature analysis), as well as primary research and will write reports.

Another topic of work is climate change. Gaia Pacha has studied the perception of climate change in 43 communities in five areas of Bolivia, and created the documentary "The weather is getting tired” (El tiempo se está cansando). Another research project conducted in 2011, was to evaluate the state guidelines for the prevention and mitigation of climate change. This happened in three cities of Bolivia. A current project is the use of geological data to make a timeline that will show the temperature change throughout history.

A further area of research of Gaia Pacha is the socio-economic impact studies of agricultural practices. For this, Gaia Pacha explored the influence of quinoa production in Colchak'a Oruro. A current research project deals with the socio- economic and environmental evaluation of soybean production in Santa Cruz. Here, soil and water quality are measured, the efficiency of the technologies used in the cultivation is determined and the influence of soyabean on local biodiversity studied.

How can you get involved?

Volunteers/interns can join the environmental education activities, conducting activities such as workshops, trade fairs, campaigns and lectures. You are expected to collect materials on environmental education techniques, develop methods for environmental education and produce educational materials. You develop both the content and the form of presentation/design, such as brochures, leaflets, blogs and websites, as educational material.

The normal working hours in the area of environmental education are Monday to Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.; about 40% of the activity is held in the office of Gaia Pacha and 60%, outside the office. It is expected of interns and volunteers that they are seriously interested in the subject, prepared, enthusiastic and willing to learn something. You should have an average knowledge of Spanish. You should already have acquired relevant technical knowledge in the fields of work of Gaia Pacha by study or otherwise; for graphic design/web development, etc., this is not mandatory. The minimum duration is 3 months.

Internships and volunteering in the research field should have a background of the disciplines of geology, biology, international policy on climate change, and development. Research interns/volunteers should stay at least one month, speak Spanish or English, be seriously interested and have knowledge in the areas of SIG and/or biology and/or economics and/or water and soil analysis.

Info Box

Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 1 Month

Maximum Duration: 12 Months
Language Requirements: English or Spanish
Accommodation:
Shared Accommodation, Room with host family, Hostel

Supervision Possible: Yes
Qualification Of Supervisor: Biologist, Environmental Technician (Engineer)
Minimum Qualification Of Intern:
Relevant studies or experience
Further Contribution To Project: None

Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: Relevant interest or knowledge
Further Contribution To Project: None
Expectations:
Professional Conduct, Do you have the "right" attitude?

Accommodation

Accommodation in Cochabamba

Shared Accommodation:

Shared House

The shared house in the center of Cochabamba offers seven rooms, a fully equipped kitchen with the necessary cooking utensils and electrical appliances as well as two bathrooms, shared by the residents. There is also a washing machine and WiFi. Both kitchen and one of the bathrooms are on the ground floor, next to the office of the owner. The owners organise and conduct outdoor extreme sports activities.

The price of the room, which include daily expenses such as water, electricity, weekly cleaning of common rooms, linen and internet, varies according to size of the room. For room reservation, a deposit must be paid (one month's rent), which will be refunded when you move out.

Hostel at Plaza Colón

The Hostel is located in front of Plaza Colón in central Cochabamba. On two floors, the inn has four rooms for individuals or couples and two more beds for six and seven people with shared bathrooms. There are several areas for social gatherings and a furnished terrace with beautiful views over the city. Food can be cooked in one of the two fully equipped kitchens. Wifi is available at no cost; there laundry service at an extra charge.

Host Family:

Rooms of Average Standards with Host Families

A stay with a Bolivian family gives insight into their life and creates the opportunity to practice and expand your Spanish language skills. The rooms usually have a bed with bedside table and lamp, a storage space for clothes and a desk with chair. The family serves three meals a day (breakfast, lunch - the main meal in Bolivia, dinner), cleans the rooms and does laundry. WiFi is not available at every host family. <

Rates

I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

		up to 31 Days	32-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	5 Months or longer
	1 Person	450 EUR	600 EUR	700 EUR	750 EUR	850 EUR
	2-4 Persons (Rate per Person)	400 EUR	500 EUR	600 EUR	650 EUR	700 EUR

Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
Assistance with visa extension in Bolivia or arrangement of visa (depending on duration of stay) and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Cochabamba Airport (CBB) on arrival and departure
Assistance with the booking of domestic connection flights within Bolivia if you arrive in La Paz or ViruViru
Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
Orientation and Introduction in Cochabamba
Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
50 USD Contribution to your project
Local SIM Card with 60 Bs. air time
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro

The Rates do NOT include:

Accommodation and Meals (see below)
Travel to/from Bolivia (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.

II. Accommodation Costs

You can choose between the following options:

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

Rates in US-Dollar! Convert Currency		Short-time stay (1-31 Days)	Long-time stay (32-365 Days) (You pay proportionally per day)
Shared House or Hostel
House shared with other participants	1 Person (Single Room)	8 USD/Day	200-250 USD/Month
House shared with other participants	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	8 USD/Day	120-140 USD/Month
Hostel at Plaza Colon, Dorm bed	per person	8 USD/Day	240 USD/Month

Host Family
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	1 Person (Single Room)	15 USD/Day	15 USD/Day
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	15 USD/Day	15 USD/Day

For incomplete months you will pay the exact amount proportionally per day.
In case of 3-4 person: Same rate as in case of 2 Persons. 5 or more persons: Contact us for group rates.

Overview of other costs:

For most citizens except US Citizens, no Visa fee for a stay of a maximum of 90 days per calendar year. Any time you stay in excess of 90 days within a calendar year, 20 Bs. fee per day. US Citizens pay currentyl 135 USD Visa fee.
If meals are not included: around 70-150 EUR /100-180 USD)/month
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

How do I pay?

Once all your questions have been answered and you confirm that you want to participate, we will email you an invoice. You can pay it via bank transfer, credit card or via Paypal. You will pay a deposit of 200 EUR / 250 USD when the invoice is issued. One months prior to your arrival you will pay the remainder for your Service Package.

The payment modalities for rent and possible further costs (e.g. internship supervision fees, as stated in info box of the respective project description) depend on your host country and placement. We will inform you beforehand. In many cases these costs are paid on site, but for some countries and placements they need to be paid partially or fully in advance.

Extras

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

These projects are suggestions for alternatives that may interest you or those that could be chosen as COMBINATIONS. The combination of projects in different organizations is often possible and usually cheaper than two individual bookings. Please contact us to know more! Check out our other listings in the areas of "World Learner" and "Active Travel" at your travel destination to make your stay even more interesting.

Spanish language or indigenous language lessons

In Cochabamba, you can attend Spanish language lessons at a language school. The school has been teaching for more than 20 years, using the communicative method. The teaching is active and requires intensive participation. The language is taught at all levels, from beginner to advanced, with all intermediate stages.

The school also offers instruction in the indigenous languages, Quechua and Aymara. For volunteering and internships in rural areas of Bolivia with indigenous communities, knowledge of the respective language is of great advantage.

For 40 hours of private lessons: 330 EUR.

In the registration form, tick "Language Training Required" and the required number of hours (minimum 40 hours).

Travel Health Insurance

We recommend the following travel insurance that is meant specifically for participants of internships, volunteering, language study, working holiday, and courses abroad. It is available for travelers of all nationalities and usable for all countries, except your home country. You can also add a journey liability insurance.

Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.

Cochabamba

With 700,000 inhabitants, Cochabamba is Bolivia's fourth largest city. Today, it merges in the west with Quillacollo, which itself has some 150,000 people. Both cities are nested in the densely populated Valley of Cochabamba, at an altitude of around 2560 meters (8700 feet) above sea level. The fertile valley has a flat bottom, expanding around 25x10 km (15x6 miles), while the framing mountains reach heights of some 5000 meters (16,400 feet). The Valley of Cochabamba enjoys a protected, sunny and moderate climate. The daytime maximums during the whole year are around 23-26 degrees C (73-79 degrees F), while the nighttime minimum oscillates between 13 degrees from October to March and 3 degrees in June and July. Rainy season is from December to March, whereas, there is almost no rain during the rest of the year.

Cochabamba is a city with a lot of youth. In downtown Cochabamba, you find the "Prado", "Plaza Colon" and the botanical garden, modern, green and clean. Cochabamba is home to "La Cancha", one of the largest markets in South America and is overlooked by the "Cristo de la Concordia", the second highest statue of Christ in the world.

Due to its central location in Bolivia, Cochabamba itself is a convenient destination for excursions into the country.

Coordinator in Cochabamba

Our supervisor in Cochabamba is Mauge. Mauge comes from Cochabamba, is an intercultural trainer, and has studied in the US. She speaks fluent English and Spanish.

Recreational Activities in Cochabamba

In Cochabamba, there is an active youth life with bars, clubs, cinemas, etc. because of the 14 universities present.

The city of Oruro can be relatively easily reached by bus. You can visit Oruro's historic mines and the city's famous Carnival, every year in February. During the whole year, there are numerous Christian and indigenous festivals in many villages and cities that you can visit, such as Intiwatana on the 21st of June (Andean midwinter) and Urqupiña in August.

From Cochabamba, we arrange affordable small group excursions, including:

* Day trip to Tunari Nationalpark and climbing Cerro Tunari (5035 m/16,500 feet).
* Day visit of the Inca ruins at Incallajta
* Day trekking trip in the subtropical misty forest of Incachaca
* 3 day trip to Catavi mining area (has socio-historical importance) on the Altiplano highland
* 3 day trip to Chapare into the tropical lowland of Cochabamba - swimming in rivers and hiking in the rain forest
* 3 day trip to Torotoro Nationalpark, including a visit to the Inca ruins and climbing Cerro Tunari

Getting There

Getting To Cochabamba

You fly to Cochabamba (CBB), where you will be picked up and taken to your accommodation. Often, there are cheaper international flights to Santa Cruz de la Sierra (ViruViru Airport, VVI) or to La Paz El Alto (LPB). In that case, you can fly there and then take a connecting flight to Cochabamba, booking separately with Aerosur or BoA. The tickets between these cities are quite low (30-50 EUR / 38-63 USD), but you cannot pay by credit card from overseas. We can buy you a ticket in Bolivia.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there fixed start dates for the project, which I must adhere to?

No, you can arrive at any date and you can hence, plan your trip according to your availability and the prices of flights. We can pick you up from the Cochabamba airport at any time. Certain projects cannot be started during holidays, of which we will inform you in advance.

Can I stay longer at my accommodation after my volunteering/internship or arrive earlier?

Yes, this is possible and we will give you our best rates. Just let us know when you arrive and leave and we will let you know the costs.

During my stay, can I travel around the country?

Of course, you can do this - most of our participants do so. However, when the travel destination is too far away, it may not be possible over a weekend; these, we would recommend you keep for before the projects begins or after the completion. You could even plan these out during holidays (e.g. Semana Santa). We will notify you of the destinations and the recommended time to visit.

Is it safe to travel in Nicaragua alone as a single female traveller?

About 80 percent of our participants are women and many of them 18 to 24 years old. Not a single instance of any serious security issue has been reported. Our supervisors on site will advise you on how you should conduct yourself in order to avoid problems - issues such as clothing style, carrying valuables, and in dealing with machismo and patriarchal societies. Our preparation material brings attention to these issues. It is very important to follow these basic rules, that are just as applicable to many other places, in order to reduce risk as much as possible.

Will I be the only volunteer/intern in the project or in Bolivia?

The total number of participants that participate simultaneously with an organization depends on the size and activity of the organization and responsibilities of volunteers/interns. We try to avoid too many volunteers/interns in an organization at the same time. It may be that you are alone in your work site, but usually there are, throughout the year, other participants in Cochabamba, who you can meet in your spare time, if you desire so. In addition, there are also many tourists on the road, whom you can easily meet at bars, shops, etc. Cochabamba being a University town, it it easy to meet Bolivian and foreign students there too.

What vaccinations do I need?

Our Info - PDF that you get as a participant, gives detailed information on health care. Also refer to Recommended Vaccinations

Where will I live?

In the tab "Accommodation", you will see the various accommodation options.

Can I choose the accommodation myself?

Please share us with your request, so that we can organize your accommodation accordingly. Some organizations offer accommodation themselves. In such cases, that is the only accommodation option you have.

How free or bound am I in my accommodation with the host family?

While you will have your privacy, in Bolivia, it is customary to let your host family know when you will leave or return to the house so that the doors can be unlocked, due to safety reasons. It is unacceptable to have casual acquaintances visit you. The level of closeness or privacy with the family can differ.

Does my accommodation have internet facilities?

The shared accommodations in Cochabamba and in Sopocachi/La Paz have internet, as does the hostel in Cochabamba. As for the host families, Internet is not always available, and the same applies to the lodgings that are rented for some projects/internships. You can find information about the availability in the tabs "Accommodation". If there is no wifi internet, you can buy yourself a stick or surf the Internet with your smartphone.

How can I do my laundry?

In general, clothes are hand washed in Bolivia. Many households have someone employed for the purpose, while others have washing machines. There are also laundromats.

Can I cook in the accommodation ?

Yes, the families allow the use of the kitchen, but may charge a small monthly fee for additional consumption of electricity and gas. The families also offer meals for you, if you want to eat with them. This, you can decide when you arrive. Details are in the tab "Accommodation".

I am a vegetarian. Can I get vegetarian food?

Yes, host families are familiar with vegetarian meals and allergies or food intolerances can be considered. It is also possible to buy vegetarian food.

What language skills do I need?

In Bolivia, Spanish, as well as indigenous languages such as Aymara or Quechua are spoken. If you have little or no knowledge of Spanish, we recommend that you begin your stay with a Spanish language course. We can also organize Skype Spanish lessons with a Bolivian language teacher. The majority of the volunteering/ internships expect basic to medium level of Spanish at the start of the activity. That is, you should be able to communicate and express yourself during your stay, at a basic level. Please let us know what you level of knowledge of Spanish is, so that we make sure we organise your stay/project accordingly.

BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!

BOOK / INQUIRE!

Therapy Day Center - ATENDI

ATENDI is a day care centre for special needs children and youth in Cochabamba/Bolivia, offering physiotherapy, early stimulation, special education, psychotherapy and other therapies. Internships and volunteering opportunities are available at this center.

What is your placement organization doing?

Many children at ATENDI are from poor families that cannot otherwise afford any special treatment or education for their children. In Bolivia, it is not rare that parents abandon, abuse, or lock away their disabled children. The services of ATENDI have the aim to prevent this.

There are 25-35 girls and boys at the centre, from newborns to an age of around 15 years, separated by age into different classes. The aim is to prepare them for integration into the regular public school system, and facilitating them the successful participation in Bolivian society.

The children and youth are at the centre every day from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. They are brought and picked up by their parents. Besides pre-school and primary school special education, they also receive therapies.

Besides the full-day children, there are also some children that just attend the centre on certain hours to receive special therapies. These therapies include physiotherapy/hydrotherapy (Bobath therapy, sensory-integrative therapy, psychomotorics, masotherapy, kinesiotherapy, horse therapy, occupational therapy), early stimulation (fine and gross motor skills, speech development, multi-sensorial stimulation, music therapy, social development), education (extra lessons, mental and motoric development, grapho-legasthenia, social skills, everyday skills), psychology (psychotherapy, behavioural disorders, nocturnal enoresis, depression), phoniatrics (deaf-muteness, speech anomalies, delays in speech development, legasthenia), and nutrition consultation.

Besides the director, the centre employs two physiotherapists, a psychologist, a psychopedagogue, 2 nurses and a cook.

The centre can make use of good installations and equipments for the services being offered. However, there is still a lack of funds to guarantee food supplies for the children and youth.

How can you get involved?

Volunteers and interns must have completed their studies/professional training or must be at least third or fourth year students. They must stay for at least 1 month, they should have intermediate Spanish skills and must show a criminal record certificate.

There is particular interest in participants with knowledge of early stimulation, physiotherapy, psychology and aidology. Interns/volunteers work Monday to Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 1.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Info Box

Ort: Cochabamba, Bolivien
Verfügbarkeit: ganzjährig, Start flexibel
Mindestdauer: 2 Wochen

Maximaldauer: 6 Monate
Sprachkenntnisse: Mittlere Spanischkenntnisse
Unterbringung:
WG, Zimmer bei Gastfamilie

Betreuung möglich: Ja
Qualifikation Betreuer/in: Allgmeinmediziner, Fachärzte, Pfleger, Therapeuten
Minimale Qualifikation Praktikant(in):
in passendem Studium oder Ausbildung befindlich
Weiterer Beitrag ans Projekt: Nein

Volunteering möglich: Ja
Erwartete Qualifikationen Freiwillige(r): Fachkraft Medizin/Pflege/Therapien
Weiterer Beitrag ans Projekt: Nein
Es wird erwartet:
Professionelles Arbeiten, die "richtige" Einstellung

Accommodation

Accommodation in Cochabamba

Shared Accommodation:

Shared House

Hostel at Plaza Colón

Host Family:

Rooms of Average Standards with Host Families

Rates

I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

		up to 31 Days	32-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	5 Months or longer
	1 Person	450 EUR	600 EUR	700 EUR	750 EUR	850 EUR
	2-4 Persons (Rate per Person)	400 EUR	500 EUR	600 EUR	650 EUR	700 EUR

Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
Assistance with visa extension in Bolivia or arrangement of visa (depending on duration of stay) and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Cochabamba Airport (CBB) on arrival and departure
Assistance with the booking of domestic connection flights within Bolivia if you arrive in La Paz or ViruViru
Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
Orientation and Introduction in Cochabamba
Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
50 USD Contribution to your project
Local SIM Card with 60 Bs. air time
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro

The Rates do NOT include:

Accommodation and Meals (see below)
Travel to/from Bolivia (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.

II. Accommodation Costs

You can choose between the following options:

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

Rates in US-Dollar! Convert Currency		Short-time stay (1-31 Days)	Long-time stay (32-365 Days) (You pay proportionally per day)
Shared House or Hostel
House shared with other participants	1 Person (Single Room)	8 USD/Day	200-250 USD/Month
House shared with other participants	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	8 USD/Day	120-140 USD/Month
Hostel at Plaza Colon, Dorm bed	per person	8 USD/Day	240 USD/Month

Host Family
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	1 Person (Single Room)	15 USD/Day	15 USD/Day
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	15 USD/Day	15 USD/Day

For incomplete months you will pay the exact amount proportionally per day.
In case of 3-4 person: Same rate as in case of 2 Persons. 5 or more persons: Contact us for group rates.

Overview of other costs:

For most citizens except US Citizens, no Visa fee for a stay of a maximum of 90 days per calendar year. Any time you stay in excess of 90 days within a calendar year, 20 Bs. fee per day. US Citizens pay currentyl 135 USD Visa fee.
If meals are not included: around 70-150 EUR /100-180 USD)/month
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

How do I pay?

Extras

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

Spanish language or indigenous language lessons

For 40 hours of private lessons: 330 EUR.

In the registration form, tick "Language Training Required" and the required number of hours (minimum 40 hours).

Travel Health Insurance

Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.

Cochabamba

Due to its central location in Bolivia, Cochabamba itself is a convenient destination for excursions into the country.

Coordinator in Cochabamba

Our supervisor in Cochabamba is Mauge. Mauge comes from Cochabamba, is an intercultural trainer, and has studied in the US. She speaks fluent English and Spanish.

Recreational Activities in Cochabamba

In Cochabamba, there is an active youth life with bars, clubs, cinemas, etc. because of the 14 universities present.

From Cochabamba, we arrange affordable small group excursions, including:

Getting There

Getting To Cochabamba

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there fixed start dates for the project, which I must adhere to?

Can I stay longer at my accommodation after my volunteering/internship or arrive earlier?

Yes, this is possible and we will give you our best rates. Just let us know when you arrive and leave and we will let you know the costs.

During my stay, can I travel around the country?

Is it safe to travel in Nicaragua alone as a single female traveller?

Will I be the only volunteer/intern in the project or in Bolivia?

What vaccinations do I need?

Our Info - PDF that you get as a participant, gives detailed information on health care. Also refer to Recommended Vaccinations

Where will I live?

In the tab "Accommodation", you will see the various accommodation options.

Can I choose the accommodation myself?

How free or bound am I in my accommodation with the host family?

Does my accommodation have internet facilities?

How can I do my laundry?

In general, clothes are hand washed in Bolivia. Many households have someone employed for the purpose, while others have washing machines. There are also laundromats.

Can I cook in the accommodation ?

I am a vegetarian. Can I get vegetarian food?

Yes, host families are familiar with vegetarian meals and allergies or food intolerances can be considered. It is also possible to buy vegetarian food.

What language skills do I need?

BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!

BOOK / INQUIRE!

Teaching and Childcare in Cochabamba

You want to get involved in a project that supports children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds? In Cochabamba, Bolivia, we arrange volunteering placements at various facilities dedicated to the well-being of children in difficult life conditions. Also supervised interships for students of social work, education and psychology are possible.

This placement is possible as a Remote / Remote internship from home! Tasks for Remote Interns: Planning and preparation of tasks related to social work and education, online marketing, fundraising, administrative tasks. Basic knowledge of Spanish is sufficient. The remote internship is 450 EUR for the first month and 100 EUR additionally for any additional month or part thereof. Just submit the inquiry/order form form and mention "Remote Internship"!

School, Afterschool Club and Youth Work

The Nuevo Conocer Education and Youth center is a school with afterschool club for about 200 children from disadvantaged families. There are formal school classes that provide a comprehensive education in all major school subjects. The centre also tries to support the children in their personality development and to convey Christian and ethical values.

In the mornings, you can be a co-teacher, supporting the local teachers in the classroom by looking after children who are having learning difficulties or who simply need a bit more support. There are some children with physical or mental disabilities who need your individual attention.

If you want, after a familiarization and orientation phase, you can also teach on your own, e.g. English, drawing/painting, sports or music. Volunteers can also teach sports or art groups.

In the afternoons, after an hour of lunch, until about 4 or 5 pm, you will help at the afterschool club, doing recreational activities with the children and youth such as games, singing, painting and sports. You also support the children with their homework. You can also plan and implement projects and events (for example children's camps, excursions or project work).

Outside of school hours, as a volunteer you can support the Christian-Protestant youth work of the organization if you are interested (not compulsory). Volunteers also help out with the cleanliness, maintenance and appearance of the rooms, equipment and playground and can, if interested, also support the school in administrations.

During the holidays from mid-December to the end of January, the centre is closed.

Possible activities for volunteers/interns:

Co-teacher for formal school lessons or teaching on your own
Providing educational support to individual children
Homework support
Conducting leisure activities such as games, singing, painting, sports
If interested: administrative tasks, maintenance of rooms and playground equipment, religious work

Fundación Esperanza

At Fundación Esperanza, orphaned, abandoned and neglected children between 5 and 18 years are cared for, allowing them to grow up in a safe environment. We can arrange volunteering options in childcare and education with the organisation. In addition, supervised internships can be done in the fields of psychology and social work.

As a volunteer or intern you support the staff in the facility with the daily routine. In addition, you offer game and recreational opportunities for the children and teenagers.

In the mornings between 6.30 and 9.00 a.m., there is a lot of activity when the children and youth start their day. Bolivian schools have one morning and one afternoon shift: while some of the children and adolescents attend school in the morning, others stay at the centre and do not go to school until the afternoon.

As a volunteer or intern you play, make handicrafts, paint, read, listen to music, sing and do other activities with the younger children. In addition, you support the older kids and teens with their homework, with the leisure activities or just stand as for common time and talks available.

The centre has several staff, including a psychologist, a social worker and a cook. Volunteers and interns can be flexible about the working hours and discuss them with the local team. There is both the option of working full-time or part-time and in the second case, there is enough time, for instance, to join a language course (see Extras).

Possible activities for interns and volunteers:

Assisting the children and youth with their daily tasks and routines
Participation in daily tasks in the facility, such as food preparation and food distribution or cleaning up
Child care
Conduct games, crafts, painting, singing and other activities for children
Performing creative and playful learning tasks

Activities for interns:

Support the social worker or psychologist in their activities

Report and pictures of Tamara and Jessica

Teaching and Day care for children whose parents are in prison

The "House of Friendship" provides education and day care for children and adolescents whose parents are in prison. Those children usually live in small groups with a foster mother, which is a supported government program. Volunteering is possible in the areas of education, leisure activities and care for the children and youth.

The House of Friendship is located in close proximity to the prisons for men and women in Cochabamba. Approximately 150 children and adolescents from 4-18 years of age are cared for from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and get three regular meals a day. They are divided into different age groups: 4 to 6 years (about 20 children) get pre-school education which involves playtime and other development activities; 6 to 10 years (about 60 children) and the older children and adolescents, 10 to 16 years, who otherwise attend public schools, spend time in the mornings or afternoons at the facility to learn, do their homework and of course, play.

The facility, with about ten employees, was founded in 1994 and has the objective of enabling growth and healthy upbringing for the children and adolescents in their otherwise difficult life.

Possible activities for volunteers:

Support in pre-school education; learning letters and numbers
Learning support
Help with homework
Implementation of recreational activities such as playing games, singing, painting, sports, etc.
Implementation of creative and playful learning tasks
Integration of knowledge about health, hygiene and nutrition for volunteers who have professional experience in these areas

Supervised internships are not possible at this facility.

Education and Leisure Time Activities with disadvantaged children and youth

Bolivia Digna was founded in 2006 with the aim of promoting and supporting children and young people living in poverty and under social exclusion. Often, their parents are working many hours every day doing low-pay jobs, leaving their children unattended. These children can spend time at the safe environment of the two Community Centers of Bolivia Digna. In addition, the organisation has several outreach partnerships, which give volunteers the opportunity to teach at schools, to spend time with children whose parents are in jail, or with children who are hospitalized.

Volunteer Activities at the Community Center:

Bolivia Digna operates its own community centers in two disadvantaged communities on the outskirts of Cochabamba, offering a variety of activities for children and adolescents from Monday to Friday.

Preschool (kindergarten): As a volunteer at the preschool you support the staff in the care of 2-6-year-old children, play with them and getting involved in creative and educational activities (eg simple number games, reading stories, etc.).

Teaching English: The Community Centres offer English language classes twice a week. Bolivia Digna wants to facilitate a playful approach to learning a foreign language. As a volunteer, you can come up with creative English learning games and support the teachers in class.

Homework help: Every afternoon, children attend the Community Center to do their homework. As a volunteer you will motivate and assist the kids with their homework.

Sports: As a balance to sitting in classroom, Bolivia Digna offers sports activities for children and adolescentss everal times a week, e.g. Football. As a meaningful leisure activity, sports also convey important values such as team spirit, discipline, concentration and a sense of duty.

Creative projects: Children from disadvantaged backgrounds often do not have the opportunity to learn skills or develop talents that are not "directly usable". Bolivia Digna tries to fill this gap with projects that provide inspiration and foster the children's creative abilities. As a volunteer you can implement your own ideas here!

Health & Nutrition: Many of the children live in residential areas where there is no clean drinking water. Their diet is often poor and home hygiene standards are often low. Bolivia Digna tries to teach children and young people about personal health and hygiene.

Activities for Volunteers in the Outreach Community Programs:

In addition to its own projects, Bolivia Digna supports local partner projects in Cochabamba. At two schools in poorer neighborhoods, you can help teachers in the mornings in the classroom, looking after children who need a bit more individual guidance. Additionnally, you can spend time in the afternoons at a daycare center, where children whose parents are in prison do their homework and spend their spare time. Thirdly, you can visit children at a hospital in the mornings, playing, reading and distracting them from their illness. You can also do some fundraising for these children, to be able to purchase games, puzzles and books.

Info Box

Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: Nuevo Conocer: 4 weeks, Esperanza: 1 week; House of Friendship, Bolivia Digna: 1 month

Maximum Duration: 6 months
Language Requirements: Nuevo Conocer: Intermediate Spanish, Volunteering with Esperanza: No Spanish required; Internship: Basic Spanish; House of Friendship; Bolivia Digna: Basic Spanish
Accommodation:
Shared Accommodation, Room with Host Family, Hostel

Supervision Possible: Only at Fundación Esperanza
Qualification Of Supervisor: Social Worker, Psychologist
Minimum Qualification Of Intern:
Relevant studies or work experience
Further Contribution To Project: None

Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: None
Further Contribution To Project: none
Expectations:
Do you have the "right" attitude?

Accommodation

Accommodation in Cochabamba

Shared Accommodation:

Shared House

Hostel at Plaza Colón

Host Family:

Rooms of Average Standards with Host Families

Rates

I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

		up to 31 Days	32-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	5 Months or longer
	1 Person	450 EUR	600 EUR	700 EUR	750 EUR	850 EUR
	2-4 Persons (Rate per Person)	400 EUR	500 EUR	600 EUR	650 EUR	700 EUR

Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
Assistance with visa extension in Bolivia or arrangement of visa (depending on duration of stay) and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Cochabamba Airport (CBB) on arrival and departure
Assistance with the booking of domestic connection flights within Bolivia if you arrive in La Paz or ViruViru
Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
Orientation and Introduction in Cochabamba
Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
50 USD Contribution to your project
Local SIM Card with 60 Bs. air time
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro

The Rates do NOT include:

Accommodation and Meals (see below)
Travel to/from Bolivia (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.

II. Accommodation Costs

You can choose between the following options:

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

Rates in US-Dollar! Convert Currency		Short-time stay (1-31 Days)	Long-time stay (32-365 Days) (You pay proportionally per day)
Shared House or Hostel
House shared with other participants	1 Person (Single Room)	8 USD/Day	200-250 USD/Month
House shared with other participants	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	8 USD/Day	120-140 USD/Month
Hostel at Plaza Colon, Dorm bed	per person	8 USD/Day	240 USD/Month

Host Family
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	1 Person (Single Room)	15 USD/Day	15 USD/Day
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	15 USD/Day	15 USD/Day

For incomplete months you will pay the exact amount proportionally per day.
In case of 3-4 person: Same rate as in case of 2 Persons. 5 or more persons: Contact us for group rates.

Overview of other costs:

For most citizens except US Citizens, no Visa fee for a stay of a maximum of 90 days per calendar year. Any time you stay in excess of 90 days within a calendar year, 20 Bs. fee per day. US Citizens pay currentyl 135 USD Visa fee.
If meals are not included: around 70-150 EUR /100-180 USD)/month
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

How do I pay?

Extras

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

Spanish language or indigenous language lessons

For 40 hours of private lessons: 330 EUR.

In the registration form, tick "Language Training Required" and the required number of hours (minimum 40 hours).

Travel Health Insurance

Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.

Cochabamba

Due to its central location in Bolivia, Cochabamba itself is a convenient destination for excursions into the country.

Coordinator in Cochabamba

Our supervisor in Cochabamba is Mauge. Mauge comes from Cochabamba, is an intercultural trainer, and has studied in the US. She speaks fluent English and Spanish.

Recreational Activities in Cochabamba

In Cochabamba, there is an active youth life with bars, clubs, cinemas, etc. because of the 14 universities present.

From Cochabamba, we arrange affordable small group excursions, including:

Getting There

Getting To Cochabamba

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there fixed start dates for the project, which I must adhere to?

Can I stay longer at my accommodation after my volunteering/internship or arrive earlier?

Yes, this is possible and we will give you our best rates. Just let us know when you arrive and leave and we will let you know the costs.

During my stay, can I travel around the country?

Is it safe to travel in Nicaragua alone as a single female traveller?

Will I be the only volunteer/intern in the project or in Bolivia?

What vaccinations do I need?

Our Info - PDF that you get as a participant, gives detailed information on health care. Also refer to Recommended Vaccinations

Where will I live?

In the tab "Accommodation", you will see the various accommodation options.

Can I choose the accommodation myself?

How free or bound am I in my accommodation with the host family?

Does my accommodation have internet facilities?

How can I do my laundry?

In general, clothes are hand washed in Bolivia. Many households have someone employed for the purpose, while others have washing machines. There are also laundromats.

Can I cook in the accommodation ?

I am a vegetarian. Can I get vegetarian food?

Yes, host families are familiar with vegetarian meals and allergies or food intolerances can be considered. It is also possible to buy vegetarian food.

What language skills do I need?

BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!

BOOK / INQUIRE!

Protection and development for girls from difficult backgrounds

The organization Mosoj Yan, which means "New Way" in the Quechua language, is committed to the protection and positive development of girls from difficult backgrounds. We can arrange volunteer placements supporting the organisation's education and prevention programs. In addition, internships are possible for students of social work and psychology.

What is your placement organisation doing?

In Bolivia, a combination of poverty and cultural factors leads to a high percentage of domestic violence, decay of family structures and alcohol and drug abuse. Especially girls suffer from this situation and are in danger of social decline. To help these girls, Mosoj Yan follows an all-encompassing model of prevention, intervention, rehabilitation and socio-familial reintegration.

One target group are girls who need to provide financial support to their families through small-scale jobs such as selling goods on the street. They spend many hours each day on the streets and therefore lack the time to attend school or learn for school. In addition, through their long time on the street, they are exposed to dangers such as criminal gangs, drugs, sexual abuse and violence.

For these girls, Mosoj Yan runs a youth club on several afternoons/evenings per week, offering educational support, courses in craft skills, and group counselling sessions by a psychologist.

Many children who were initially on the street selling goods, when they are from broken family relationships and experience physical and/or sexual violence at home, decide at a certain moment not to deliver the money earned to their parents, but better to live on the street. Many of them are single mothers who live on the streets with their children, consuming alcohol and drugs. In Bolivia these are known as "Cleferos" (glue sniffers). The goal of Mosoj Yan is to discourage them from drug use and to change their attitude and behavior for the better. This is done through the intervention of social workers and psychologists at places where the girls can usually be found, such as markets, bridges and public squares, and there are programs of individual and group psychotherapy, training and strengthening of the mother's sense of responsibility towards her child, and occupational therapy.

For girls aged 10 to 18 years who are living on the street, Mosoj Yan runs a residential home. The girls are mostly victims of physical, sexual or psychological abuse and are not in contact with their families. Many of them already have children on their own who are living with them at the residential home. The facility is trying to prepare the girls to be able to live their own lives, offering vocational training, especially in the areas of cooking, baking and tailoring, as well as assistance in finding a job, health care, psychotherapeutic support with the aim of improving the emotional and personal development of girls, and teaching Christian values.

In addition, Mosoj Yan is involved in preventive measures against violence: In Bolivia, the number of violent acts against children, adolescents and women is very high. Domestic violence is common, but often a taboo topic to speak about. Violence increases the social risks for those affected: families can break, addiction, prostitution and a life on the street can be the consequences. Mosoj Yan implements various sensitization and awareness-raising activities. The organization collaborates with secondary schools and provides information on topics such as violence, bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, HIV/AIDS. Mosoj Yan also works with churches and other actors in society to draw attention to the issue of violence and effectively address it.

How can you get involved?

Teaching and supporting the girls' learning outcome at the youth club through innovative and creative methods
Implementation of workshops to promote physical, mental and emotional stability
Development and implementation of activities in the fields of arts, music, theater, or similar to build self-confidence and to develop and express oneself
Implementation and transfer of skills such as cooking, baking, handcrafts
Teaching social skills
Looking after the children of the girls living at the residential home while the girls attend educational programs and group therapy
Assisting the organization with administrative tasks
Public relations to raise awareness in society and raise funds for the continuation of the programs (carrying out local events, managing social media)
Creating informational materials (flyers, videos, etc.)

Students of social work and psychology can do an internship which is supervised by the psychologist. They will accompany and support the work of the psychologist of Mosoj Yan at all activities described above. Please note that the psychologist is involved in many tasks which are not strictly related to psychology, and because of a lack of time, no one-to-one psychotherapy sessions are offered, but only group sessions. Also please note that at the residential home for girls, only placements for female volunteers and interns are possible.

Pack for a Purpose

You can also support this project through Pack for a Purpose that we are proud members of. Pack for a Purpose is an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and bring supplies for area schools or medical clinics in need, you'll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. Please click here to see what supplies are needed for our project/projects.

Info Box

Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 4 weeks

Maximum Duration: 1 Year
Language Requirements: Upper-intermediate Spanish
Accommodation:
Shared apartment, host family, hostel

Supervision Possible: Yes
Qualification Of Supervisor: Psychologist
Minimum Qualification Of Intern:
None
Further Contribution To Project: None

Volunteering Possible: Ja
Required Qualification For Volunteer: None
Further Contribution To Project: None
Expectations:
Intercultural sensitivity, motivation, tolerance, respect, Do you have the "right" attitude?

Accommodation

Accommodation in Cochabamba

Shared Accommodation:

Shared House

Hostel at Plaza Colón

Host Family:

Rooms of Average Standards with Host Families

Rates

I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

		up to 31 Days	32-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	5 Months or longer
	1 Person	450 EUR	600 EUR	700 EUR	750 EUR	850 EUR
	2-4 Persons (Rate per Person)	400 EUR	500 EUR	600 EUR	650 EUR	700 EUR

Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
Assistance with visa extension in Bolivia or arrangement of visa (depending on duration of stay) and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Cochabamba Airport (CBB) on arrival and departure
Assistance with the booking of domestic connection flights within Bolivia if you arrive in La Paz or ViruViru
Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
Orientation and Introduction in Cochabamba
Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
50 USD Contribution to your project
Local SIM Card with 60 Bs. air time
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro

The Rates do NOT include:

Accommodation and Meals (see below)
Travel to/from Bolivia (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.

II. Accommodation Costs

You can choose between the following options:

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

Rates in US-Dollar! Convert Currency		Short-time stay (1-31 Days)	Long-time stay (32-365 Days) (You pay proportionally per day)
Shared House or Hostel
House shared with other participants	1 Person (Single Room)	8 USD/Day	200-250 USD/Month
House shared with other participants	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	8 USD/Day	120-140 USD/Month
Hostel at Plaza Colon, Dorm bed	per person	8 USD/Day	240 USD/Month

Host Family
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	1 Person (Single Room)	15 USD/Day	15 USD/Day
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	15 USD/Day	15 USD/Day

For incomplete months you will pay the exact amount proportionally per day.
In case of 3-4 person: Same rate as in case of 2 Persons. 5 or more persons: Contact us for group rates.

Overview of other costs:

For most citizens except US Citizens, no Visa fee for a stay of a maximum of 90 days per calendar year. Any time you stay in excess of 90 days within a calendar year, 20 Bs. fee per day. US Citizens pay currentyl 135 USD Visa fee.
If meals are not included: around 70-150 EUR /100-180 USD)/month
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

How do I pay?

Extras

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

Spanish language or indigenous language lessons

For 40 hours of private lessons: 330 EUR.

In the registration form, tick "Language Training Required" and the required number of hours (minimum 40 hours).

Travel Health Insurance

Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.

Cochabamba

Due to its central location in Bolivia, Cochabamba itself is a convenient destination for excursions into the country.

Coordinator in Cochabamba

Our supervisor in Cochabamba is Mauge. Mauge comes from Cochabamba, is an intercultural trainer, and has studied in the US. She speaks fluent English and Spanish.

Recreational Activities in Cochabamba

In Cochabamba, there is an active youth life with bars, clubs, cinemas, etc. because of the 14 universities present.

From Cochabamba, we arrange affordable small group excursions, including:

Getting There

Getting To Cochabamba

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there fixed start dates for the project, which I must adhere to?

Can I stay longer at my accommodation after my volunteering/internship or arrive earlier?

Yes, this is possible and we will give you our best rates. Just let us know when you arrive and leave and we will let you know the costs.

During my stay, can I travel around the country?

Is it safe to travel in Nicaragua alone as a single female traveller?

Will I be the only volunteer/intern in the project or in Bolivia?

What vaccinations do I need?

Our Info - PDF that you get as a participant, gives detailed information on health care. Also refer to Recommended Vaccinations

Where will I live?

In the tab "Accommodation", you will see the various accommodation options.

Can I choose the accommodation myself?

How free or bound am I in my accommodation with the host family?

Does my accommodation have internet facilities?

How can I do my laundry?

In general, clothes are hand washed in Bolivia. Many households have someone employed for the purpose, while others have washing machines. There are also laundromats.

Can I cook in the accommodation ?

I am a vegetarian. Can I get vegetarian food?

Yes, host families are familiar with vegetarian meals and allergies or food intolerances can be considered. It is also possible to buy vegetarian food.

What language skills do I need?

BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!

BOOK / INQUIRE!

Electives, (pre-)medical/nursing internships in Cochabamba

In Cochabamba we can provide elective placements and internships for students and trainees in medicine, nursing and physiotherapy at the hospital COMBASE. Also pre-medical and pre-nursing internships can be arranged! Joining this program is possible for participants who are fully vaccinated against covid!

COMBASE Hospital in Cochabamba

The COMBASE hospital, which is centrally located in Cochabamba, is treating around 100 outpatient patients per day and also has 15 beds for inpatient admission.

The departments include General Medicine, Family Medicine, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Urology, Otolaryngology, Neurology, Dermatology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, Psychiatry / Psychology, Dentistry and Physiotherapy. The hospital also has a laboratory, X-ray and ultrasound. There is also an on-site pharmacy.

The hospital is run by a Christian community and is charitable to members of lower income groups. There is also an outreach program at 5 locations in the outskirts of Cochabamba, such as at the Nueva Canáan Church, where the doctors at COMBASE perform screenings and treatments.

Elective placements and nursing internships for students of medicine, nursing and physiotherapy are possible. You can either be at one department only or rotate through multiple departments. You have the opportunity to get an exciting insight into the provision of healthcare services in a developing and emerging country. You can also join the outreach activities if they take place.

You will observe and assist the staff on your ward in their daily work. After a familiarization and orientation phase you may (depending on your previous knowledge) also carry out minor treatments and activities under the supervision of the attending physicians, nurses or therapists, e.g. Drug delivery, wound care, vital signs measurements, vaccinations and other assistance activities. You will be assigned a supervisor from your area of specialization, who will decide which examinations and treatments you are allowed to carry out under supervision to the patient.

Your internship is usually from Monday to Friday.

You should bring your own hospital clothes (white scrubs and closed shoes in any color). It is also advisable to bring your own hand sanitizer as well as your own stethoscope. If you work in the operating theater, please bring green or blue surgical clothing, surgical mask and surgical cap.

Info Box

Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 2 Weeks

Maximum Duration: 3 Months
Language Requirements: Basic Spanish
Accommodation:
Shared Accommodation, Host Family, Hostel

Supervision Possible: Yes
Qualification Of Supervisor: General Physician, Specialist, Nurse, Therapist
Minimum Qualification Of Intern: none
Further Contribution To Project: 150 USD per month

Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: Specialist in Medicine/Nursing/ Therapy
Further Contribution To Project: None
Expectations:
Professional Conduct, Do you have the "right" attitude?

More Infos

Background Information for Medical Placements/Electives Abroad

The following text tries to provide background information about the medical systems in the different countries and tries to classify the medical institutions where we arrange placements within these system, in order to assist you finding the right option for your elective, final year rotation, internship or medical volunteer work.

Tanzania

In Tanzania we can arrange placements for medical elective students, interns of nursing and therapies, pre-medical students and professional volunteers into a wide range of public and private medical institutions.

The public health system in Tanzania has a referral system: Someone who needs treatment usually first attends a small medical dispensary. Dispensaries are in all parts of towns and cities such as Moshi, Dar-es-Salaam etc. and in many villages, treating all common things such as small injuries, infectious diseases, Malaria, diabetes, high blood pressure etc.; also they often do deliveries.

There are public and private dispensaries. The public dispensaries are usually very simple in terms of equipment and facilities. In villages and outskirts of cities, they often they don't even stock elementary medicines and can only offer very basic medical services. The private dispensaries are often very similar to the public ones, but sometimes they are of higher standard in terms of facilities, equipment and services offered.

Any state-approved nurse can open a private dispensary. Dispensaries are usually run by a nurse or by a "medical officer" who is something between a nurse and a physician; some might employ further nurses, medical officers and laboratory technicians. The nurses and medical officers at the dispensaries can prescribe and use all standard medicines. There is typically no real physician who has studied medicine for 4-5 years. If it is a requirement from the university that for an elective/medical internship a proper physician is needed as a supervisor, this is not possible at a dispensary. For volunteers who have professional skills such as nurses, therapists and physicians, dispensaries are very good places to volunteer at, as through their skills they can support the local staff a lot and work like a regular team member, including stitching wounds and treating patients, assisting with deliveries, even without supervision if they are sufficiently qualified. Also internships for pre-medical students are possible at dispensaries.

Examples for such dispensaries where we can arrange placements are Hosiana Clinic and Dorcas Laboratory in Moshi. In Zanzibar, placements at dispensaries are usually not possible, as the Health Ministry doesn't allow so for foreigners.

The number of patients at dispensaries might fluctuate a lot during the year. Usually during the rainy season (March to June and November) there are more infectious diseases and more cases of malaria.

If a patient needs something of higher specialization that cannot be done at a dispensary or which is beyond the competence of the nurse or medical officer, he or she is referred to a Regional Hospital such as Mawenzi Regional Hospital in Moshi.

Patients however can also go directly to a Regional Hospital. Particularly people living in the cities near a regional hospital often prefer to go directly to the hospital and skip the dispensary, as they expect better service at the hospital.

Regional hospitals usually have many, many patients and elective students and professional volunteers have the chance to see many cases, often in very late stages of diseases.

Regional hospitals are used by patients who are of average income, or poorer parts of the population, if they feel so sick that they don't have any other option. A lot of time often passes between having been at a dispensary and going to the Regional Hospital, during which the patient’s medical condition can get worse, because poor patients usually have to collect the money to cover costs for the treatment from relatives, neighbours, churches and other sources, which can take days to weeks. The costs for a consultation by a doctor at a regional hospital might be around 5,000-7,000 TSH (around 2.50-3 €/3.30-4 USD), plus costs for medicines which might be typically between 2,000 and 10,000 TSH (1-5 €/1.30-6.50 USD). Major surgery and having to stay as an inpatient might cost around 100,000-200,000 TSH (50-100 €/65-130 USD). An average monthly household income is around 90 €/120 USD (for a whole family), but around 65% of Tanzanian households only have 30 €/40 USD or less per month. Patients usually don't seek medical treatment for minor reasons; nobody goes for prevention.

Regional Hospitals have various common departments; you can read the list of available departments at Mawenzi Regional Hospital and other hospitals on our website. Work at the regional hospitals is often tough, as doctors have to treat many patients who have serious medical conditions within a very short time. Therefore they often don't have a lot of time to give lengthy explanations to elective students. Students usually assist the doctors and nurses with tasks such as stitching wounds, changing dressings, assisting during the consultation, attending doctors during the ward round etc, always under supervision. There is qualified staff who can sign and stamp forms about electives as required by universities.

Above the level of the Regional Hospitals there are very large and higher specialized hospitals which are called "Referral Hospital" such as Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam and Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, which are often attached to medical universities. Patients cannot go directly to a Referral Hospital, but they need a reference from a regional hospital first. Mnazi Mmoja Hospital in Zanzibar is a Referral Hospital where patients can go directly, but this is because on the small island of Zanzibar there are no Regional Hospitals.

The standard of the departments/wards within one hospital can vary very much (both at Regional and Referral Hospitals), some departments might have good equipment and might be in good condition, typically resulting from money provided by foreign development programs. For instance the HIV/AIDS and physiotherapy wards at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital Zanzibar are very modern, but the pediatric ward is very poor and needs renovation. At Mawenzi Regional Hospital they have recently renovated the main surgery theatre.

As the public medical system in Tanzania is not very satisfying, there are many private healthcare facilities.

Some are (compared to the public hospitals) expensive and provide better standard (either/or or all in terms of facilities, equipment, or time that a doctor provides to patients), attracting patients who have more money. SIIMA Hospital in Moshi is one of these. Others are funded by charitable organizations or churches (e.g. St. Joseph Hospital). They are of higher price level than the public hospitals to the general public, but might offer free services to particularly poor people in need (which are financed by the money paid by the "richer" patients). In terms of facilities and equipment they are usually better than most public hospitals (unless the public ones have a particular department or ward which got a lot of foreign money). Usually there are fewer patients at the private hospitals and therefore doctors/nurses have more time to give explanations to foreign students/interns.

When it comes to doctors, the same doctors work at the public and at the private hospitals. As the salaries are low, they need income from several employers and therefore work at 2-3 hospitals (usually one public and 1-2 private) at the same time.

The Regional Hospitals and Referral Hospitals of Tanzania are usually accredited by all international medical universities for elective placements. Final year medical rotations are possible at Muhumbili Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam and Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, which are teaching hospitals of medical universities.

Ghana

The public health care system of Ghana has three reference levels.

The smallest facilities that provide medical first aid (Tertiary Level) are the so-called CHPS (Community Health Compounds), health centers and small hospitals. These facilities perform only outpatient treatment and are usually run by nurses. Each facility is aimed at a population density of about 20,000 people.

At Secondary Level are the district hospitals, which are aimed at a population density of about 100,000-200,000 people. The bed capacity is usually not more than 100 beds.

These have at least one operating theater and a laboratory and usually offer better medical care than institutions on the tertiary level.

The highest level (primary level) are Metropolitan Hospital, Regional Hospital and Municipal Hospital. They are located in cities whose population exceeds 200,000 people and have a correspondingly larger bed capacity. In addition to several operating rooms and relatively good technical equipment, there are general practitioners and specialists in various disciplines to treat patients.

The primary level hospitals and many private hospitals such as the University Hospital in Cape Coast are of high standards in terms of facilities, management and expertise. Secondary and Tertiary institutions are often underfunded.

Morocco

In Morocco we arrange elective placements at private clinics which are of higher standard, often coming close to Western/European standard in terms of facilities, equipment and professional level of the staff. We currently don’t work with public hospitals, as they are very bureaucratic.

The private hospitals are expensive for many local people, but they often collect funds for people who are in need, allowing them to provide cheap or free treatments.

At these hospitals, medical students/interns should have no problem to get accreditation for elective placements by international medical universities or nursing schools.

Professional volunteers (nurses, therapists and physicians) can volunteer at church-run charitable dispensaries such as the one by the Franciscan Brothers of the White Cross in Tangier, which are typically managed by a nurse, providing free basic medical services to the poorest parts of population. As there is no medical supervision, elective placements are not possible at such dispensaries.

India

In India, we work with private hospitals of higher standard, for the same reasons as in Morocco. The standard of equipment, facilities and qualification of the doctors are comparable to Europe/North America/Australia. They offer a wide range of departments with high specialization.

At these hospitals, medical students/interns shouldn't have any problems to get accreditation for elective placements by international medical universities or nursing schools.

Professional volunteers (nurses, therapists and physicians) can volunteer at charitable hospitals which are funded by charitable organizations, but also at medical outreach programs run by several NGOs in slum areas.

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua we can offer placements at the public hospital HEODRA and private hospial AMOCSA in León.

The standard of the public HEODRA hospital is low in terms of equipment and facilities, comparable to Tanzania. Also the situations that many patients have difficulties in raising the funds needed for their medical treatment, that they often only seek for medical services at a late stage of their disease, and the working conditions at the hospitals are very similar to as described in the text about Tanzania. Professional volunteers are very much needed at the public hospitals.

HEODRA as a large teaching hospital of León medical university should be fully accredited by all foreign medical universities and nursing schools for electives, internships and final year rotations.

The standard of the AMOCSA private hospital in terms of facilities and equipment is better than HEODRA. There are less patients and fees are higher. The doctors have more time for each patient. HEODRA is bigger and has a larger variety of highly specified departments; students will have the chance to see more patients than with AMOCSA.

Also, the same doctors work at HEODRA and AMOCSA. To make a living, they additionally even work at further private hospitals or run their own consultancies.

Bolivia

The standard at the public hospitals of Bolivia can fluctuate a lot. While some private hospitals are chronically underfunded, others such as the hospitals of the VIEDMA Health Park where we arrange electives, internship and volunteering options often can offer a standard that comes close to the one of European/North American/Australian hospitals. They have a wide variety of specialization and departments.

A problem that regularly recurs is that the funds for the salaries of staff and to pay for medicines is not provided, resulting in shortages of medical services.

Similar to the what has been described before about Tanzania and Nicaragua, many people cannot afford the treatments at the public hospitals. They only attend medical institutions when their disease is in an advanced stage and in absolute emergencies.

Arco Iris is a charitable private hospital in La Paz of very high standard. Relatively rich people pay high fees for their treatment which is of one of the highest standards available in the country, and the money is used to provide free treatment to poor people, particularly street children and children from the poorest classes of society. 40% are paying patients and 60% are not paying.

Volunteer placements for healthcare professionals and elective placements/internships for students are possible at all of these hospitals. The hospitals of the VIEDMA Health Park in Cochabamba as large teaching hospitals of medical universities should be fully accredited by all foreign medical universities and nursing schools for electives, internships and final year rotations.

Mongolia

The medical system of Mongolia is of high standards. There is medical faculty at the University of Ulaanbaatar, also many doctors have studied in Russia or China or even have higher qualifications. There is no teaching hospital at the Mongolia university, so final year rotations are probably not possible. Mongolian medical students do electives with you in various medical institutions.

The health care system in Mongolia is organized as a tripartite reference system where patients first seek a "Family Health Center", which is a general physician's office. From there, the patient, if necessary, is referred to the district health centers, the second stage of the reference system, where there are more general medical facilities with more medical equipment (e.g. X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy) and where general surgical procedures are performed. In such district health centers, about 12 physicians and 60 nurses are available to patients. Both family health centers and district health centers only treat outpatients. In these facilities, electives and internships are available from the 1st year.

The third stage in the Mongolian reference system are specialized clinics. There are no major hospitals in Mongolia, which have many specialisations, but instead clinics that are each limited to a field of study. These include hospitalization. For an elective or a nursing internship in these clinics, you should be at least in the 3rd year of study.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Cochabamba

Shared Accommodation:

Shared House

Hostel at Plaza Colón

Host Family:

Rooms of Average Standards with Host Families

Rates

I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

		up to 31 Days	32-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	5 Months or longer
	1 Person	450 EUR	600 EUR	700 EUR	750 EUR	850 EUR
	2-4 Persons (Rate per Person)	400 EUR	500 EUR	600 EUR	650 EUR	700 EUR

Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
Assistance with visa extension in Bolivia or arrangement of visa (depending on duration of stay) and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Cochabamba Airport (CBB) on arrival and departure
Assistance with the booking of domestic connection flights within Bolivia if you arrive in La Paz or ViruViru
Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
Orientation and Introduction in Cochabamba
Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
50 USD Contribution to your project
Local SIM Card with 60 Bs. air time
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro

The Rates do NOT include:

Accommodation and Meals (see below)
Travel to/from Bolivia (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.

II. Accommodation Costs

You can choose between the following options:

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

Rates in US-Dollar! Convert Currency		Short-time stay (1-31 Days)	Long-time stay (32-365 Days) (You pay proportionally per day)
Shared House or Hostel
House shared with other participants	1 Person (Single Room)	8 USD/Day	200-250 USD/Month
House shared with other participants	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	8 USD/Day	120-140 USD/Month
Hostel at Plaza Colon, Dorm bed	per person	8 USD/Day	240 USD/Month

Host Family
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	1 Person (Single Room)	15 USD/Day	15 USD/Day
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	15 USD/Day	15 USD/Day

For incomplete months you will pay the exact amount proportionally per day.
In case of 3-4 person: Same rate as in case of 2 Persons. 5 or more persons: Contact us for group rates.

Overview of other costs:

For most citizens except US Citizens, no Visa fee for a stay of a maximum of 90 days per calendar year. Any time you stay in excess of 90 days within a calendar year, 20 Bs. fee per day. US Citizens pay currentyl 135 USD Visa fee.
If meals are not included: around 70-150 EUR /100-180 USD)/month
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

How do I pay?

Extras

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

Spanish language or indigenous language lessons

For 40 hours of private lessons: 330 EUR.

In the registration form, tick "Language Training Required" and the required number of hours (minimum 40 hours).

Travel Health Insurance

Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.

Cochabamba

Due to its central location in Bolivia, Cochabamba itself is a convenient destination for excursions into the country.

Coordinator in Cochabamba

Our supervisor in Cochabamba is Mauge. Mauge comes from Cochabamba, is an intercultural trainer, and has studied in the US. She speaks fluent English and Spanish.

Recreational Activities in Cochabamba

In Cochabamba, there is an active youth life with bars, clubs, cinemas, etc. because of the 14 universities present.

From Cochabamba, we arrange affordable small group excursions, including:

Getting There

Getting To Cochabamba

FAQs

BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!

BOOK / INQUIRE!

Learning foreign languages

Further courses

World Adventure Tours

Community Tourism

Special Interest Group Programs

Working Holiday in Europe and China

Working Holiday in Japan

Dissertations/theses abroad

Intercultural Skills

Career Counselling

Africa

Europe & Middle East & Maghreb

Asia

Latin America

About World Unite!

My trip

Magazine

Gaia Pacha - Environmental Technology, Environmental Education, Research

What is your placement organisation doing?

How can you get involved?

Info Box

Accommodation in Cochabamba

Shared Accommodation:

Host Family:

I. World Unite! Service Package

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

The Rates do NOT include:

II. Accommodation Costs

Overview of other costs:

How do I pay?

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

Spanish language or indigenous language lessons

Travel Health Insurance

Coordinator in Cochabamba

Recreational Activities in Cochabamba

Getting To Cochabamba

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!

Therapy Day Center - ATENDI

What is your placement organization doing?

How can you get involved?

Info Box

Accommodation in Cochabamba

Shared Accommodation:

Host Family:

I. World Unite! Service Package

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

The Rates do NOT include:

II. Accommodation Costs

Overview of other costs:

How do I pay?

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

Spanish language or indigenous language lessons

Travel Health Insurance

Coordinator in Cochabamba

Recreational Activities in Cochabamba

Getting To Cochabamba

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!

Teaching and Childcare in Cochabamba

School, Afterschool Club and Youth Work

Fundación Esperanza

Teaching and Day care for children whose parents are in prison

Education and Leisure Time Activities with disadvantaged children and youth

Info Box

Accommodation in Cochabamba

Shared Accommodation:

Host Family:

I. World Unite! Service Package

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

The Rates do NOT include:

II. Accommodation Costs

Overview of other costs:

How do I pay?

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

Spanish language or indigenous language lessons

Travel Health Insurance

Coordinator in Cochabamba

Recreational Activities in Cochabamba

Getting To Cochabamba