Travel to Teach: Bolivia Volunteer Story

We are not currently sending volunteers to programs in Bolivia. We have decided to concentrate our efforts on our programs in Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador and Mexico.

Olivia at the orphanage in Santa Cruz

Olivia Ware,

My volunteer experience was both challenging and rewarding. I worked in the orphanage for 4 weeks organising various activities for the children such as kite making and general crafts, paying games and helping out with sports.

The program was great because it gave me the flexibility to work with children of all ages, in the areas that interested me.

The children were fantastic and I was really surprised at how humble and enthusiastic they were to get involved. In fact, it was difficult to get into the main gates without being swarmed by smiling faces inviting you to visit their homes.

I also got to experience the social life in Bolivia. Teresa made real effort to introduce all the volunteers to her family and friends and she integrated us into the Bolivian way of life. We spent many evenings on a karaoke machine, at the cinema or a local bar. Hanging out with locals and definitely helped improve my Spanish.

One of my personal highlights was when her cousin took us to the famous carnival in Oruro, despite the fact that we got soaked with waterbombs.

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