CEAA Bolivia Volunteer Info Pack

8/4/2019 CEAA Bolivia Volunteer Info Pack

1/8

Reg Charity No. 1112699 www.teachamantofish.org.uk

Centro de Educacion Alternativa Agricola (CEAA), SummerProgram, Bolivia

Introduction

The CEAA Summer Volunteer/Internship Program offers a fantasticopportunity to make a difference and be part of an award winning educationand enterprise model in one of the most fascinating and diverse countries inSouth America.

The CEAA is a new Teach A Man To Fish Self-Sufficient Schools project andrepresents an exciting opportunity for volunteers to get involved in the runningof a pioneering Self-Sufficient School. Located in the unique and fascinatingChaco region of South Eastern Bolivia, the school is looking to becomeFinancially Self Sufficient by 2014 through a range of student run businessesincluding:

Tree Nurseries

Honey Production Outdoor Education

Hospitality & Conferences

Pork Production


2/8

2

Beef Production

Dairy Production Vegetable Production

Cereals Production

There are currently 35 students at the school, aged 13 to 18 who come fromdisadvantaged rural backgrounds around the Bolivian Chaco. They receiveboth a standard high school education and technicalagricultural/entrepreneurial education at the CEAA. They are enthusiastic andambitious and through the skills they learn at the CEAA, will become a newgeneration of rural entrepreneurs, lifting their communities out of poverty.

You can see a video about the CEAA, taken during a visit from volunteersfrom Columbia and New York University athttp://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9xbVfiwngcs&feature=channel_page.

Language: It is recommended that you have an intermediate level of Spanishas no staff at the CEAA or residents of the village of Tarairi speak English.

Minimum Age for Volunteers: 18 yrs.

What will I be doing?

The key areas where volunteers are needed include:

Social Enterprise Each school business pays for the running costsof the school, acting as a social enterprise. The CEAA is an ideal placeto volunteer for those interested in working in social enterprise, helpingstudents to manage businesses and improve their profitability.


3/8

3

Education Depending on your level of Spanish there may beopportunities to teach subjects such as English to students at theCEAA. Whilst this is not a core curriculum subject it would be of greatuse to the students and open up further opportunities for them in thefuture.

Sustainable Agriculture The CEAA is the ideal place to learn moreabout the principles of sustainable agriculture and get involved witheveryday running of school businesses! The school would benefitgreatly from a helping hand, from looking after the tree nursery tomilking cows

Sports Education Students have evenings set aside for sportingactivities but the CEAA does not currently have a physical educationteacher. It would be a fantastic boost to the school to have organisedteam sports activities to help build teamwork skills and encourage ahealthy, active lifestyle for the students.

In reality the volunteering experience at the CEAA is likely to involve acombination of all the above, helping with more strategic tasks such asbusiness planning and getting your hands dirty on the farm.

Location

(Yellow Tag Indicates location of CEAA, in village of Tarairi)

Program

Currently this program is available between the months of May and October tofit with the schedule of the CEAA. We design the schedule so that two


4/8

4

volunteers will be active at the CEAA at the same time. Before you embark onthe volunteer program we will put you in touch with your fellow volunteer sothat you can get to know each other a little before heading to Bolivia.

Arrival at the Santa Cruz Airport 1/2/3 night stay, meeting with fellow

volunteer depending on preference. Accommodation in Santa Cruz isnot included in program fees. We recommend Jodanga Backpackers(www.jodanga.com).

Bus Santa Cruz to small town of Villamontes (8-10 hrs)

Villamontes pickup by CEAA staff, transport to accommodation invillage of Tarairi, location of CEAA (30 mins)

Induction day to Tarairi village and the CEAA, by CEAA staff.

Begin volunteer program (8-16 weeks). Working hours each daygenerally from 8-12 am with 3-4 hr siestathen 4pm to 7pm.

2 weeks holiday can be taken either during or at the end of the programto visit interesting sites in the region including:

What can I do with my free time?

Bolivia is one of the most exciting South American Countries to visit, largely

down to the diversity of its landscapes and hospitality of the Bolivian people.With your free time there are some once in a life time travel opportunities inthe region including:

Tarija - Famous for vineyards, thermal springs, colonial architecture.

Salta, Argentina - Fascinating colonial city with beautiful countryside.

Amboro National Park - World famous rainforest with Jaguars, Bears,Howler Monkeys and over 712 species of bird!

Salar de Uyuni Take a jeep across the globally renowned salt plainsthat reflect the sky above to create an otherworldly and stunninglandscape with no horizon.

La Paz Stunning capital city standing at 4000m surrounding by theAndes. Limitless trekking, cycling, mountaineering opportunities andvisits to Inca ruins nearby.

Lake Titicaca One of the highest navigable lakes in the world strewnwith beautiful islands and beaches to explore.

CommunicationsThe CEAA and village of Tarairi have no internet access, although there are amultitude of good internet cafes in the nearby town of Villamontes (30 mins).

There is cellular phone network coverage around the CEAA and a SIM cardcan be purchased for around $15.


5/8

5

AccommodationVolunteers will have their own room, staying in with a local family in Tarairi.There will be water, electricity and toilet facilities as standard.

FoodDepending on your preferences you have the option of eating at the CEAA,cooking your own meals, or eating in local restaurants.

Length of Stay (minimum & maximum)

Minimum duration: 12 weeksMaximum duration: 16 weeks

What is included and cost breakdown

* Accommodation* Meals and costs relating to your host* Certificate of participation* Program administration

(Cost per 4 weeks: 190)


6/8

6

* CEAA Project Contribution (Cost per 4 weeks: 110)

This is a contribution towards the project and its own financial sustainability,allowing students to continue to attend the school.

Total cost: 300 per 4 weeks

12 weeks 900 (US $1,350)16 weeks 1200(US $1,800)

What is not included

* Flights* Travel insurance* Independent travel costs* Extra activities not on itinerary

FAQs

Do I need a visa for Bolivia?

UK nationals do not need a visa and will received a 30 day visitors pass onarrival, this can be extended to 90 days by the immigration office on request. Ifyou would like stay in Bolivia for longer a hop across the border to Argentina(4-6 hrs away) may be needed to get a new visitors pass and return to Bolivia.

US Nationals travelling to Bolivia would need a tourist visa. You can eitherapply for this beforehand by mail, in person at any of the Bolivian Consulatesin the US, or upon arrival at the immigration authorities. A tourist visa costs$100, and you would also be required to produce :-

A visa application form 4x4 cm colour photograph

Valid passport (> 6months validity)

Proof of economic solvency (cash, bank/credit card statement)

An International vaccination certificate for yellow fever

It is recommended that you obtain a vaccination for yellow fever as theVillamontes area is listed as high-risk for yellow fever.

Is Bolivia safe to visit?

Bolivia is in general a safe country to visit, although like all developingcountries precautions should be taken, for example dont walk alone at night,show off valuables etc. Bolivia has a strong tradition of political protest, mostcommonly manifesting itself in the form of bloqueos (roadblocks), which candisrupt transport in the country but are rarely dangerous in themselves. Seethe FCO website (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-

overseas/travel-advice-by-country/south-america/bolivia) for more details.


7/8

7

What are Tarairi & Villamontes like?

Tarairi is a medium sized village in a rural location, overlooked by a small

mountain range. It is a quiet and relaxed place and provides a greatopportunity to gain an insight in rural Bolivian life. Much of the population arefrom the indigenous Guarani tribe of the area. Services a fairly basic, with anumber of tiendas(shops) for buying everyday items but not much more.

Villamontes is a medium sized town (30,000 inhabitants) with most of theservices you will need during your stay in Bolivia. It has a range of excellentrestaurants selling the Rio Pilcamayos famous fish (people come from as faras the US to fish there!) and incredible open air asados. Villamontes was oneof the key sites of the Chaco War with Paraguay and has an interestingmuseum documenting this.

Just outside of town there are some natural hot springs which are great to visiton a lazy Sunday and plenty of beautiful countryside around. A key thing tonote is that the ATMs in Villamontes are variable in their acceptance of UK/USCredit/Debit Cards and will not change travellers cheques/cash in sterling(although USD would be fine). There are Western Union transfer pointsavailable.

What is the weather like?

Temperatures from May to September can be variable, going from 10 C to 30C but generally this is the more comfortable time to be in the Chaco asopposed to October to April when temperatures are typically 25 to 45 C !

What is the food like?

Food within Tarairi is likely to be basic, made up of Sopa (Chicken/Beefbased soup) with fresh chipa(bread), potatoes and simple salads of lettuce,tomatoes and onion. There is an abundance of fresh fruit (especiallywatermelon) which should make up for the relative lack of vegetables in thediet!

What vaccinations will I need?

This will largely depend on previous vaccinations so please make sure youvisit your GP to check what vaccinations you will need. Again, it is important tocheck with your doctor but usually malarial medication is not needed.

How much money will I need to bring?

This will depend on how active you are and how much travelling you want todo, but whilst in Tarairi you could easily get by on between 10- 30 per

week. Good meals in Villamontes with dessert and a drink are usually around3 and large bottles of beer are about 75p a pop.


8/8

8

What do I need to bring?

Casual but respectable clothing for living and working on site - T-shirts,

shorts and trousers are fine, but please don't bring hot pants, low cuttops or clothes that will offend.

A mobile phone will be useful for making arrangements whilst your outthere. You can buy a Bolivian SIM card for around 10 and you mayneed to have your phone unlocked which can cost around 3-5.

Torch/Head torch

It can get cool at night - the odd jumper/jacket won't hurt.

Insect Repellent - alarm clock - pen knife - books - sunglasses

First Aid kit Plenty of camera film or memory cards and software for downloading

digital photos. Flip flops or sandals and a sturdy pair of boots or trainers.

Waterproof clothing Earplugs/Sleeping Mask/Travel Pillow if youre planning on doing much

bus travel around Bolivia

English/Spanish Pocket Dictionary

How To ApplyIf youre interested in applying to volunteer under this scheme or if have anyquestions about this program - just e-mail:

[email protected]

Documents

CEAA Bolivia Volunteer Info Pack