Bolivia: Fundación “Asociación Mi Rancho Proyecto Los 2 Patitos”

About the local hosting organization

Mi Rancho’ Association, a non-profit organisation founded in 1992 in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, offers opportunities to people at risk and social exclusion, providing quality socio-educational services, so that they can regain their rights and become an active part of society. This project operates in three main phases, beginning with direct street work in Santa Cruz to reintegrate the target population as active participants in society and facilitate life changes, enabling them to leave the streets. The second phase takes place at the “Mi Rancho” facility, focusing on de-addiction from risky situations, adaptation to a new life with normalized habits in food, hygiene, health, and leisure, and the establishment of new affective bonds. The third phase, following successful adaptation and secure bond formation, aims to overcome the child or young person’s situation of exclusion. The duration and location of these latter two phases vary based on age and individual progress. The association manages two centers: “Los Patitos,” which serves as a school, and “Mi Rancho,” a home for children and young people. “Los Patitos” is divided by age: a kindergarten for children aged 6 months to 5 years, and an Assisted Study Classroom for children aged 6 to 10, providing academic support for those with learning needs or from challenging family backgrounds. “Mi Rancho” is situated parallel to the road to Cotoca, approximately 12 km from the city center of Santa Cruz in the fifteenth district, functioning as a self-contained neighborhood or “little town.”

Presentation of the programme

In “Los patitos” volunteer will be helping the classroom teacher with the different rooms and the following activities: Support for children’s exit and entry times. Support at meal times: breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners. Support in the activities that take place during recess with children Support in the daily classes of the room. At Mi Rancho there are timetables by house according to the age of the children living in the project. The activities in the project are varied, for example, they have art classes, football and educational clubs.

About the accomodation

Host family /living in the Project

About the location

Santa Cruz

Requirements

To have more than 18 years old. To be emotionally mature Ability for teamwork To be disciplined (meet schedules, standards, responsible with their work) To have a lot of desire to learn new things