Program Search Results

Goal of Program

For over 70 years, Maryknoll Missioners have been accompanying the people of Bolivia, a country of rich culture and bio-diversity in the heart of South America. There are two ways for you to join us: immersion trips for groups, and volunteer opportunities for individuals. Bolivia is a country of contrasts - against the backdrop of the Andes mountains and the Amazon, Bolivians, are challenging global trends as they struggle to overcome economic poverty and a history of colonial and political oppression. We are blessed to bear witness to this moment in history as we build bridges of solidarity between Bolivians and North Americans. Maryknoll fosters formative and transformative experiences, introducing participants to mission, to cross-cultural engagement, and to the realities of Bolivia. We invite you to bring your gifts and your questions, and be converted to a deeper understanding of peace and justice as central to living the gospel.

Type of Placement

The Maryknoll Mission Center in Latin America will place volunteers in ministries that reflect Maryknoll's values, favoring partnership over paternalism, empowerment over dependency, and reflecting gospel values. Placements will be determined according to availability of mission sites and talents and interests of volunteers as determined in application and interview process. Placements will also be appropriate to the term of service (six weeks up to one year). Kinds of ministries may include, but are not limited to: children, prisons, education, AIDS, elderly, pastoral work, etc.

Service Area

Bolivia

Service Length

Full-time, for six weeks to one year. Exposure Trip groups: one to three weeks.

Program Size

The number of volunteers accepted at a given time will depend upon the number of appropriate placements available. Generally, this is a small program (1 - 15), allowing for accompaniment of volunteers by Maryknoll missioners in Bolivia.

Requirements

Visa; Vaccines (yellow fever may be required for visa); two years of college or equivalent experience; previous service experience; sense of humor; documented good physical health; speak Spanish or be willing to study Spanish [we can work with you to facilitate studying at the Maryknoll Mission Center in Latin America, here in Cochabamba, Bolivia before beginning the volunteer program; 6-week volunteers need at least the level of a 6-week language course (roughly equivalent to one year university Spanish in the U.S.); longer-term volunteers need demonstrated proficiency in Spanish]. Volunteers are responsible for travel to/from Bolivia, health insurance, and in-country program costs.

Financial Arrangements

Program will arrange housing and volunteer placements, and provide orientation, accompaniment and mentor, facilitation of mission integration and re-entry to U.S. Volunteers are responsible for travel to/from Bolivia, health insurance/healthcare, and a monthly program fee. The program covers basic in-country costs. We will help with fundraising ideas and finding health coverage.

Living Arrangements

Maryknoll Bolivia will find housing for volunteers. Living arrangements will depend largely on placements: some volunteers will live at work sites, others in community with other volunteers or Maryknoll missioners.

Training

Volunteers will receive in-country orientation upon arrival in Bolivia, and be accompanied by Maryknoll throughout time in Bolivia; each volunteer will be assigned a Maryknoll missioner as a mentor throughout her/his time in Bolivia, and will attend weekly reflection meetings with other volunteers, and weekly conferences on various mission and cultural issues. Upon completion, Maryknoll Bolivia will facilitate a process of mission integration and re-entry into the U.S. Maryknoll will serve as a resource for continued involvement with mission and global concerns.

Application Deadline

Six months before arrival preferred.

Start Date