You will be working in Santa Cruz with a local partner organization dedicated to preserving Bolivia's natural resources. Bolivia is home to the largest dry tropical forest area in the world. The country has also been listed as one of the world's two hundred most important ecosystems by the World Wildlife Fund. Unfortunately, this precious resource is decreasing by an average of 580 square miles per year. One major cause of this destruction is a four-hundred mile pipeline project, sponsored by a major international company, which is a threat to the country's forests and wildlife as well as to the local communities.

Our partner organizations in Santa Cruz have decided to do something about this environmental crisis. They have created a number of hands-on projects to help save the rainforest and its creatures. They have also organized fundraising and awareness efforts to promote environmental conservation in local communities. Volunteers with these projects will help from the grassroots-level up, providing physical, mental and administrative support to these hardworking but understaffed organizations, helping them reverse the destruction of one of the world's most valuable resources.

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 working in Santa Cruz with a local partner organization dedicated to preserving Bolivia's natural resources. Bolivia is home to the largest dry tropical forest area in the world. The country has also been listed as one of the world's two hundred most important ecosystems by the World Wildlife Fund. Unfortunately, this precious resource is decreasing by an average of 580 square miles per year. One major cause of this destruction is a four-hundred mile pipeline project, sponsored by a major international company, which is a threat to the country's forests and wildlife as well as to the local communities.

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.

Amboró and El Pantanal and Noel Kempff Mercado National Parks: These large areas of forest are home to complex ecosystems and represent some of the most environmentally important tracts of land in the country. A day trip to at least one of these sites gives you the rare opportunity to experience the incredible life of the rainforest. Acualand Water Park This is the only outdoor water park in Bolivia, where you can spend time enjoying the gorgeous weather of Bolivia, riding waterslides, and meeting new friends. Lomas de Arena: The vast stretches of dry land and sand dunes are incredible contrasts to the lush green forests accentuate the geography in the rest of the country. Visitors can take a day trip here, but there is camping available for those who want to spend more time hiking up and around the dunes. Ruinas del Fuerte de Samaipata: Located in the remote mountains of central Bolivia, these ancient ruins are on a large stone hill and were once of great religious significance. Here you will find intriguing pictures carved into the mountainside and get a glorious view of the rainforest below.

In-country support:
We work directly with our partners in Santa Cruz to provide support during your time in Bolivia. You can expect the teachers, staff, and other employees at our partner organization to help you with anything you need.