Q: What kind of accommodation facilities do you provide?
A: We have acquired an abandoned hotel that we have renovated. It is much like a hostel/hotel. Currently, we can house up to 19 volunteers. Most rooms have two beds and there are bathroom and shower facilities on each floor. We also have a fully equipped kitchen.
Q: What is the donation cost to Volunteer?
A donation is expected from ALL volunteers in order to help pay the material and administrative costs of your volunteering stay with the Angels of Hope. The donations allow us to buy the materials for the projects that you will participate in and will allow us to cover some of the expenses occurred during your stay at the Castillo.
What your donation includes:
- Accommodation at "El Castillo" - good showers with hot water, use of kitchen facilities. This is also where we hold meetings and do some project work.
- Spanish lessons for the first two weeks of your stay (however please note that these are optional, therefore the donation can not be reduced if you decide not to take them).
- Important and valuable contributions to materials for the projects you will be undertaking or materials needed for the Foundation schools and clinics.
- Food is NOT included although you may be invited to eat lunch with your bolivian co-workers on occasion.
All the donations given will go to the above mentioned and the foundation itself - helping us to keep the doors open to over 100 childen in our nursery / kindergarten, as well as to provide health and hygiene to some 4000 individuals that are affiliated with the Foundation.
Donation Amount : We ask a BS1200 (=$150.00 US) donation for the first two weeks and BS400 (=$50 US) donation for each week after. For example, one month is BS2000 ($250.00 US.)etc.
There is an ATM in the village (despite what the guidebooks say) from which you can take out Dollars and Bolivianos. You can also can change Dollars into Bolivianos. Please note: travellers checks are not accepted in Villa Tunari.
We do not return any part of the donation if the term is not completed or if the person does not comply with the rules and is asked to leave. Only in very rare circumstances will any money be given out to the donors that pledged the money in the first place.
Q: Would we bring the money with us or pay it before arrival?
We would prefer to receive the donations on the day you arrive, but in the future we will have the option of wiring the money ahead of time. There is an ATM in the village from which you can take out Dollars and Bolivianos. There are also banks in the village that can change Dollars into Bolivianos.
Please no travelers checks because they can only be cashed at a few places in Cochabamba.
Q: I have taken little or no Spanish in school. Do I need to be able to speak Spanish in order to volunteer?
NO. Our volunteer coordinators speak English. We have free Spanish classes! As a part of our volunteer program you will receive 3-4 hours of Spanish instruction each day. We try to accommodate varying levels that volunteers may have and divide volunteers into one of two classes. Please note that Spanish classes are optional and therefore the donation is not reduced if you chosse not to take them. The projects and Foundation rely on the donations volunteers make in order to run and develop.
Q: How do I get to the Project?
All the information you’ll need is on the How to Get There page.
Q: Is it as simple as booking my flight and arranging a time to come?
YES. Please contact us and let us know what day you will be arriving at the Castillo so we can have everything ready for you. Once you have decided on an arrival date, feel free to book your flight. You may contact us once you arrive in Cochabamba or Santa Cruz and we can help from there. You are welcome to come any day of the week, although it is best to arrive on the weekend.
Q: As far as the activities go, do all the volunteers simply take part in whatever needs doing at the time or do you assign specific tasks to specific people?
Both. There are certain jobs that need to be done on a daily basis. Assisting staff at the Foundation, for example. We also have work teams working on projects such as building new areas at the foundation and our current project of building latrines in the communities ( SEE LATRINES UPDATE). The volunteer coordinators will do their best to place you where your talents and desires are most beneficial. See also Projects Page.
Q: Will I be working directly with children?
Due to the Foundation having professional Bolivian teachers and assistants, volunteers are more helpful to the projects of the Foundation and the communities, working in other areas. Volunteers may have the opportunity to work with the first grade or the babies´class. For this you would need a very good level of Spanish and ideally experience working with children.
Q: It sounds as if there is a town nearby - is it within walking distance and does it have an ATM?
Yes, there is a small village, Villa Tunari, within walking distance with hotels, restaurants and shops. There is now an ATM in the village from which you can take out Dollars and Bolivianos. There are also banks in the village that can change dollars into Bolivianos. Please no travelers checks because they can only be cashed at a few places in Cochabamba.
Q: I would like to stay for at least a month - do you have a minimum and maximum time that you would like us to stay?
YES and No. We ask that the minimum length of stay be two weeks. There is no maximum limit set on how many weeks or months volunteers may stay. Our long term volunteers seem to have the most rewarding experiences.
Q: What about safety; isn't this part of the world quite dangerous for foreigners with all the drug-trafficking as well as risk of disease?
NO. The foundation works closely with the local government and police to ensure the safety of our staff and facilities. In the past 8 years we have not experienced any problems with drug trafficking or lawlessness. In most cases, sickness is the result of carelessness regarding what you eat and the water you drink. If you do get sick we have a full medical staff and pharmacy on site to aid you.
Q: Are meals eaten together or do you have to prepare them yourself?
Volunteers are responsible for their own meals. However we are invited to eat at the foundation at times when working directly with the foundation or on certain projects. There are over 20 small to medium restaurants near by. There is a kitchen in the dormitory that volunteers can use to cook their own food, which can be purchased at small local markets. We do have many volunteers that eat meals together using the community kitchen, but nothing formal is set up for meals.
Q: Does the hostel or the foundation have a safe where we could keep our travel documents?
NO. The dorm rooms have locks on them and there is an outside gate with lock to the volunteer dorm area, however, we have no lockers or safe.
Q: What vaccines will I need for this part of Bolivia?
We suggest going to your doctor who can give up-to-date advice on vaccines needed for this area. A Yellow fever vaccine is a must, and possibly malaria pills. Speak to your doctor before coming. Be sure to be caught up on all your vaccines and shots!
Q: Is there anything we can bring with us that the foundation needs. For instance, over the counter medicine or first aid equipment, children's clothes, toys, books or educational equipment?
YES. Any medicines that you can acquire by asking local pharmacies, drug stores, and other doctor offices would help. But please no expired drugs. Contact the nearest Bolivian consulate and they are able to grant you permission to pass with the medicines into Bolivia. And of course toys, books, etc. are always welcome at the school.
Q: Do I have to be religious to volunteer?
NO. The Foundation Angels of Hope and the founder, Michael Marroquin, have their roots in the Catholic Church. The foundation offers Catholic mass on Sundays. However, the volunteer program has no religious affiliation. We will not accept or deny anyone based on their religious beliefs or practices.
Q: Do I need to have some kind of reference from a church or other person to volunteer?
NO. We are not directly affiliated with any specific organization that would require any such reference information. We will, however, need a copy of your passport and some personal information when you arrive. This information will only be used in case of emergency.
Q: I am a student, taking a break from school. I would like to spend some time abroad volunteering before returning to school for the next semester. Would I find time to keep up on my studies while I volunteer?
YES. You will have time off to read and do as you wish. On the week days our work day ends at about 5-6pm. Volunteers have the weekends off; this will give you plenty of time for reading!
Independent Catholic Lay Missionaries:Serving Bolivia's impovereshed people