Healthcare Volunteer in Bolivia

In this volunteer program in the Bolivian healthcare sector, you will have the opportunity to either work in a center for disabled children and teenagers or care for patients with mental health issues in a psychiatric institution. It's up to you to decide which of these programs best matches your interests for a work abroad program in Bolivia!

The center for disabled children and teenagers consists of different areas: At the boarding school, volunteers work to improve the self-esteem of the children. Volunteers play with the children, take them for short walks, feed them, assist with arts and crafts, do sports with them, and more. Occupational therapy helps people with severe disabilities and is carried out through some technical training in knitting, embroidering, manual arts, and more. Volunteers that help with patients’ mobility assist with basic activities with the kids, such as giving them a bath, dressing them, and transporting them. In the daycare area, taking care of the children, feeding them, and playing with them are the most important tasks. The school project needs volunteers with psychological or educational knowledge to help in the classrooms.

Many of the children have complicated family backgrounds. Some of them either have parents that lack the necessary resources or interest to care appropriately for their disabilities. Due to their disabilities and their need for special care, these children are not accepted in children’s homes. As a volunteer, you will help to care for these patients by supporting the work of the doctors and nurses. In any of the areas, you will assist with organizing activities and games, such as songs, dances, drawing pictures, and doing crafts. Additionally, you will help the children with homework and other exercises to help build their self-confidence. It is important that you are creative, open-minded, and tolerant. You should also be flexible since you might be asked to help out wherever your assistance is needed most.

Please keep in mind that this type of project in Bolivia has limited resources and doesn’t have modern equipment or well-furnished buildings. It’s best to be modest, friendly, compassionate, and warm-hearted so that you bring a smile to the children’s' faces. Volunteers are welcome and needed in all of these areas, especially volunteers with knowledge in physical therapy. Currently, there are about 400 patients (numbers subject to change) taken care of by a team of doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, and Bolivian medical students. For those interested in mental health, working in the psychiatry area is an excellent opportunity to make a tangible difference and gain invaluable international work experience. All of our partner institutions are located in and around Sucre.