Landlocked in the heart of the South American continent, extending from the towering Andes to the tropical lowlands that it shares with Brazil, Bolivia is indeed a country of extremes. Named for freedom fighter, Simon Bolivar, it has a long history of political upheaval. Since 1982, civilian rule has returned to Bolivia, and although there is still an active and volatile political scene, democracy seems to be firmly established.
ELI's Bolivia programs are located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a city of over 1,000,000 people located in the tropical lowlands. The city dates back 400 years, and has long been an important agricultural center.
***Please note that participants should have, at least, a basic knowledge of Spanish and should be comfortable in a Spanish-speaking environment. CONSERVATION
* Pre-departure information * Pick up from the airport * Orientation and welcome pack * City tour * Volunteer Position * Accommodation * Three meals a day * 24/7 emergency service
*Spanish lessons may be added for an additional $30 per week (10 hours of instruction)
How to Apply
ELI
2828 N. Speer Blvd. Suite 230
Denver, CO 80211
USA
You may apply online at
www.eliabroad.org. Please send us your resume/CV along with the $100 application fee. Please note the application fee is non-refundable unless we cannot find a placement that matches your request. You can send your application to us at: The Santa Cruz Zoo preserves endangered species and teaches visitors about the importance of the region's wildlife. You could find yourself caring for jaguars, llamas, reptiles, monkeys, toucans, turtles and even spectacled bears. Besides caring for the animals, you can help with general maintenance and the marketing department or helping with the web site. The Santa Cruz Botanical Garden preserves native, endangered plant species and showcases Bolivia's wealth of biodiversity. Its 186 hectares (450 acres) of subtropical plains and woodland have been divided into separate ecosystems including a dry forest, cactus park, palm forest, tropical forest and lagoon. This volunteer project is perfect if you enjoy the outdoors and want to try your hand at tropical conservation. You might nurture plant seedlings, maintain the grounds and guide visitors. Forestry Development This project targets deforested areas along the route of the gas pipeline from Bolivia to Brazil. You will have the opportunity to work on maintenance of a variety of Bolivian plants. If you have interest and background in marketing, you can work on marketing their products as well. The project supervisor is a committed agronomist who is eager to welcome volunteers with an interest in environmental conservation.
