Sustainable Bolivia
Sustainable Bolivia is a non-profit public benefit institution with offices in the United States and Cochabamba, Bolivia. The organization aims to provide Bolivian NGOs with human and financial resources by offering internship and volunteer opportunities. Volunteers and interns have access to accommodation, language classes and local excursions.
Mission
Sustainable Bolivia´s mission is to provide Bolivian organizations much needed human and financial resources while allowing travelers, students and professionals the opportunity to gain work experience through internships and volunteer opportunities.
History
Sustainable Bolivia was founded by Erik Taylor after receiving a joint master’s degree in social science from the Universities of Freiburg (Germany), KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and Jawaharlal Nehru (India). Originally developed as an independent organization to promote community based ecotourism programs in Bolivia, the foundation has since expanded its purpose and now partners over 20 Bolivian non-governmental organizations.
Programs
▪ Volunteer and internship opportunities - Sustainable Bolivia provides internship and volunteer opportunities within one of their 21 partner organizations operating in the greater Cochabamba area. Placement depends largely on the needs of the NGO and the capabilities of the volunteer or intern.
▪ Language Classes - Sustainable Bolivia offers one-on-one private Spanish and Quechua classes. Classes are given to supplement internship training but are also available to students and travelers.
▪ Accommodation - Sustainable Bolivia provides housing with local families or private rooms centrally located in downtown Cochabamba’s cultural district and in the nearby countryside.
▪ Ecotourism - Sustainable Bolivia organizes small group travel to various remote destinations throughout Bolivia. These trips vary from week to week depending upon the interests of their students, volunteers and interns, the time of year, and the availability of their guides.