***New Bolivian Visa Requirement for U.S. Citizens***
(updated Feb 11, 2008) As of Dec. 1, 2007 Bolivia now requires US Citizens to purchase a visa to enter the country as tourists. Everything can be done at the airport or other point of entry but the following documents are required in addition to your passport as well as $100 USD to purchase the visa:
- Copy of your flight itinerary showing both your arrival and departure flights to/from Bolivia
- A valid Yellow Fever vaccination card (yellow trifold card) or be willing to sign an affadavit releasing the Bolivian government from liability should you contract the disease
- A letter of invitation from the place you will be staying or address of hotel (La Palmera Foundation will provide this beforehand)
- A valid credit card good for the entire stay or $50 cash for each day you plan to stay.

The visa is valid for 5 years, and is a multiple entry visa with a maximum of 30 days per year, but you can only enter 3 of the 5 years (no specification needed as to which years you plan to enter).

For more information view the warden message on the US Embassy's website.

This law only applies to US Citizens. Citizens of Canada, United Kingdom and European Union countries do not need this to enter and receive a 90 day tourist visa upon entry at no additional cost.

Short Term Volunteers

The Short Term Volunteer Program is an opportunity for young Christians to have a firsthand foreign mission experience under the tutorship of experienced missionaries. Most past participants of the program have included children of sponsors, members of sponsoring churches and volunteer agencies, and it is an alternative for those considering having a school “Gap Year”. Short Term volunteers have summed up to more than 300 young women and men from the U.K., Ireland, USA, Canada, Colombia, Spain, South Africa, Australia & Bolivia.

This program develops within the sphere of influence of “La Palmera” CCC activities. It requires basic knowledge of the Spanish language and demands a commitment to hard work and a positive attitude. While the project is explicitly Christian, both non-Christians and Christians are welcome, so long as all volunteers attend the church activities and follow the project rules.

Volunteers interact with the friendliest community of children they can meet, their extended family and friends, while getting busy at the school, the church and the community. Definitely, a most enriching experience in a foreign culture!

Once you have familiarized yourself with the work at the project and have prayed about whether God is leading you to come and serve, you will need to fill out an application form. The application is simply a way for us to get to know you, your beliefs and your background, please don’t be intimidated by its length (more details about its purpose are on the actual application).

Please contact Jimmy Bollinger at: jimmy.bollinger @ iteams.org if you are interested in applying.


Long Term Volunteer Opportunities (1 year or more)
Long term volunteers would be expected to follow the same criteria as short term volunteers. We especially would want volunteers to have some advanced level of Spanish prior to coming, or at least be willing to attend a language school, as these roles usually have more intensive Spanish requirements. Of course, we are always open to fresh ideas, let us know if you think of a role that could benefit the project and we will consider it.
** = Urgent needs

**Social Department Workers (1-2 people)
Roles and responsibilities:
-To meet with Bolivian families who have kids attending the school
- To translate letters from Spanish to English (and vice versa) for sponsor families of Bolivian kids
- To send out project updates to supporters
- To communicate with the project sponsors in the US, UK and other countries

**Volunteer Coordinator (1 person or family)
Roles and responsibilities:
-To coordinate administrative aspects of team and missionary visits
- To act as host for visiting teams and missionaries, helping them to settle in and provide cultural assistance during their stay
- To minister to other volunteers at the project through English Bible studies, one-on-one spiritual checkups and other activities
- To serve on the pastoral team here at La Palmera. This would include possibly making house visits, preaching and leading church meetings

Medical Workers
Roles and responsibilities:
- Would serve at the La Palmera Medical Center currently under construction
- People in this role should have some medical expertise beyond basic first aid (such as EMT, nurse, doctor, dentist or other specialty)
- Be involved in teaching good health practices to the children at the school

Teachers/Teaching assistant
Roles and responsibilities:
- We currently have a proposal for a bilingual teaching program where the students would take some classes in English and others in Spanish. The idea is to give more exposure to the English language, so students can become bilingual
- We would welcome anybody with a teaching background to either assist in a classroom or take on a subject for teaching. Opportunities are available for teaching in Spanish and in English.

Computer Program Assistant
Roles and responsibilities:
- To assist in the development of the computer program here
- Any expertise in advanced computer skills such as programming, web design, databases, networking, graphic design, etc. would be great
- Would have opportunities to teach skills to students/staff at the project


Interested in volunteering at La Palmera?
Here are some questions you might ask…

Where is the project and what will it be like there?
Location: The Christian Cultural Center, La Palmera is situated in Trinidad, Beni, Bolivia. Trinidad is shown on almost any map of Bolivia. It is located in the northeast of the country in the Amazon basin just 14 degrees south of the equator and has a humid tropical climate. It is a small city of just over 80 thousand people, the majority of which live in one-story houses made of adobe bricks. Most of the streets are of cobblestone or dirt roads and almost everything that one would need is available here.

Language: It is important to remember that the language spoken here is Spanish. You will be expected to attend meetings conducted in Spanish, and a basic understanding of the language will be a useful tool in communicating with those in the community whom you will be serving. It is advisable to learn as much Spanish as possible before coming to join the project as you can find it frustrating at times being limited by the inability to express yourself or participate fully in meetings and conversations. However, don’t let this deter you from coming to serve. ***There are also a number of language schools in nearby big cities that we might recommend to you to attend prior to coming in order to maximize your experience.***

In what ways could I serve?
The most important activity you can be involved in is building relationships, encouraging both the international and national personnel and the children here. Also be prepared to get involved in all sorts of other activities, using your skills and experiences and applying them to different areas. We expect you to be creative and willing to be involved wherever the needs may be. Below are some possibilities.

Activities with Children (ages 5 – 18) in the school:

• Recreation (recess time)
• Devotional Periods
• Arts and Crafts
• Classroom Assistant
• Visitations to the homes of school children
• Camps (depending on the time of year)
• Neighborhood children’s Sports day
• Recreational activities within the outlying community

Activities with the church:

• Testimonies
• Special presentations
• Prayer meetings, Bible study, family service, and young peoples meetings
• Home visitations to church families
• Special events – family retreat and gospel campaign

Activities with the community:

• Construction work
• Street evangelism
• Missions Trips to surrounding areas

Where would I stay?
The accommodation is at a house in the neighborhood or on site as much as possible. We have 1 large room with bunk beds at the school and other rooms are in the short term volunteer’s house located 2 blocks from the school. Most lunches and evening meals will be provided and are included in your living costs. If you wish to rent your own home (a family for example) you can find a decent house here for ~$400/month.

What health care can I expect?
Trinidad has several hospitals and there is a wide range of specialized private medical services. Admission and treatment at local hospitals will be your own responsibility, therefore we recommend you to undertake health insurance or make provision for such eventualities. Any allergies, medical, and psychological conditions must be reported in the application form to the Short Term Coordinator prior to the departure from your country of origin. This information will be treated confidentially. Failing to do so may result on your visit having to be cut short on medical grounds.

What immunizations will I need to arrange before I come?
The required and recommended immunizations for your visit to Trinidad-Beni are:

Required
Diphtheria*
Tetanus*
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Poliomyelitis (Polio)
Measles**
Parotitis (Mumps)**
Rubella (German Measles)**
Hepatitis A
Yellow Fever
Typhoid Fever
*Diptheria/Tetanus are commonly given in a single vaccine.
**Measles/Parotitis/Rubella are commonly given in a single vaccine called MMR.

Recommended
BCG (Tuberculosis)
Rabies
Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type b)
Second dose MMR

MALARIA: Anti-Malaria medication is NOT required or recommended for visitors to Trinidad–Beni, Bolivia. If you are planning to visit other areas or countries do consult your GP or Family Practice.

Application for first time visitors to La Palmera

Application for returning volunteers