The home is for children from the age of 6 to 12, although they do sometimes accept children as young as 4 and as old as 14. Generally the number of children at the home is between 70 and 80. Children are taken there for a variety of reasons, from abandonment, to mistreatment, to alcohol or other problems on the part of the parents, and some are orphans. It is a closed home, as many children are involved in legal cases. The majority of the children study at the school in the home, with a few emotionally stable, older children studying at a local, much better equiped public school.

The volunteer organisation "Amigos del Hogar" started a volunteer program at this home in 1992. The volunteers have their own workshop where they conduct artistic activities for the children in the afternoons, once they have finished school. With the number of children at the home, each child gets to do the activity once during the week, so the activity changes on a weekly basis. The focus of the volunteer program is to provide the emotional support and love that the children desperately lack, and give them the opportunity to express themselves through creative and artistic work thus stengthening  their self-esteem.

Volunteers have to think of the activities they will do, and keep the workshop clean and in order. So a lot of self-initiative, motivation, creativity, and loving care is required on the part of those who wish to volunteer here. As you are in constant contact with the children, it is also advisable to have a good grasp of spanish. If you have other specific artistic talents, in areas such as music, dancing, drama, or ceramics, you are naturally welcome to do projects separate from the general activities of visual arts  in the workshop. Also if you have experience in teaching or in psychology, it is possible to volunteer in the school, or with the psychologists. As the home is state-run, it is inevitably short of sufficient funds, and any fundraising for the home is very welcome.

La Paz is a spectacular city situated in a hollow on the high andean planes. Despite its high altitude of approximately 3600m, the climate is generally good, with the dry, cold season in the months of june to august, and the rainy season around the period of january to march. Accomodation is easy to find, with a bolivian family, or in a separate apartment. Depending on the degree of comfort required, prices can range between $50-$150 per month. "Amigos del Hogar" is unable to pay for volunteers living expenses, but food is inexpensive, and a budget of about $100-$150 per month, apart from the rent, is perfectly realistic.

For help and contacts about accomodation, and for any other questions, please contact the director of "Amigos del Hogar", Diane Bellomy at: cnsorata(at)yahoo.com

Finally this volunteering opportunity is, more than anything, about human relationships. The children, despite what they have suffered, have woderfully open, loving hearts, and if you as a volunteer come with an open heart, embracing the work with a selfless attitude, it will be a very valuable, self-developing experience both for you and the children.