You will be working with our partner organizations in and around the city of Santa Cruz. Bolivia is a country in flux, working towards modern Western ideals while maintaining its beautiful indigenous roots. Our partner organizations in Santa Cruz help local groups do just that.

The folklore museum in Santa Cruz houses a small collection of artwork and artifacts from various ethnic groups in Bolivia. The displays provide information on the Chiquitanos, Ayoreos, Mojeños, and other indigenous groups. Our partner organization helps the museum's small staff maintain the museum, the exhibits, and the nearby office. Our partner organization also works with a local group that provides music education, and organizes music festivals. Our partners have taken both organizations under their wing to help them increase awareness about the projects, as well as promote education about the subjects of art, history, and music.

Volunteers with the Art Education Program will have the opportunity to work at either the museum or with the music festival. As a volunteer, you will provide much-needed help in not only organization and administration, but in also increasing local awareness about the efforts of both groups.

Orientation:
After arrival in Santa Cruz, you will be picked up by staff from our partner organization and taken to your host family for the first night. The next day, your host family will help you get to the partner organization for a full-day orientation and city tour. During this time, you will become accustomed to living and working in Santa Cruz, using public transportation, and working at your project site. After the orientation, you will meet individually with a project coordinator to determine your skills and interests and to decide what specific kind of volunteer work you will be doing.

Transportation:
Our partner organization provides transportation to the following:

Airport pickup in Santa Cruz, and transportation to host family
Orientation in Santa Cruz

You will take public transportation to your project after your first day.

Language Classes:
You will be taking Spanish classes during your time as a volunteer in Bolivia. You will usually volunteer in the mornings and take language classes in the afternoons, though the exact schedule will vary by project. Spanish lessons take place at a teacher's house and are either in a group or private class setting, depending on your language level. It is best to try to learn a little bit of Spanish before you come to Bolivia, as it will only enhance your experience in Santa Cruz.

Accommodations:
You will be staying with a Bolivian family while in Santa Cruz. Our host families are carefully screened and must meet our partner organization's requirements before being accepted as a host family. All of the families are middle-class and live in comfortable homes in safe neighborhoods. You will have your own room, and will be within short public transportation distance to your volunteer project.

Meals:
The host family will provide three meals a day.

Excursions:
Although you will be serving the community for most of your time in Bolivia, you will also have the opportunity to experience the magnificent beauty of Santa Cruz and surrounding areas. Time away from your project can be spent visiting the city's many museums, cathedrals and outdoor areas for picnics and sports activities. Weekends are great for exploring nearby rain forests and 18th-century Jesuit missions. Below are some of the trips that our partner organization arranges for volunteers and students. A few excursions are free of charge, while others require an additional fee. Our partner organization can also help you plan trips outside of the city.