You will be working with our partner organizations in and around the city of Santa Cruz. In Bolivia, as in many countries in the world, people with physical disabilities often receive a lower quality education than their non-disabled counterparts. Our partner organization sees physical disabilities as only a small impediment to educating these Bolivians. They work with three separate special needs schools, helping each person receive the same standard of education received by all students, as well as teaching them practical skills to help them succeed in the world.

Volunteers with our Special Needs Program in Santa Cruz will be directly involved in educating children and teens with hearing and sight disabilities, as well as working with people who have Down Syndrome. As a volunteer, you will help local teachers initiate creative programs and workshops for the students. You will also be able to use your own interests and talents to help the students learn practical skills, such as cooking, sewing, gardening, and the arts. Volunteers with our Special Needs Program will be tutoring and mentoring Bolivian, with the goal of increasing their confidence, educational skills, and chances of living full, satisfying lives.

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 per 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 that dot 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.