Human rights project

Name: Human rights project
Start: 2018-01-01
End: 2028-01-01
Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia

Code: c5c13895-6791-11e7-b315-0242ac110024 Copied

Bolivia Social work Social work Permanent

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Ayni Ruway's central mission is to fight for the equality of inmates, former inmates and their families. By providing workshops and skill shares they hope to enhance the quality of life and facilitate integration of incarcerated individuals back into society. Ayni Ruway goals include offer educational, health and legal services within all Cochabamba prisons and to all former inmates at its community centre. Also to provide workshops on violence prevention, help inmates make an income by providing skill shares and training, offer childcare services for the children of current and former inmates, help with the marketing and distribution of goods produced by current and former inmates. Cultural Exposure : The projects are implemented in the four prison facilities of the City of Cochabamba (San Sebastian Women, Men San Sebastian, San Antonio, El Abra) and two sites in the provinces. Ayni Ruway also deals with current and potential buyers of products produced by inmates while in jail. These can be both domestic and international. The focus is on maintaining a constant relationship so that prisoners have a secure source of income.

💼 What the programme involves

Main Activities : Ayni Ruway has created a nursery in the female San Sebastian Prison hosting 30 children and another nursery located in the offices of Ayni Ruwaya hosting 40 children. Both nurseries provide comprehensive care for children from 0 to 6 years. It is running a project called "House of teenagers" that welcomes children of teenage inmates and former inmates of penitentiaries Cochabamba providing a space where they are offered different workshops in this context. AYNI Ruwaya running a program directed to the attention of Interns and ex-interns/as of 6 prisons in Cochabamba, whose main objective is to meet the mothers and fathers, thus improving quality of life of their children who are directly affected by the situation of families. Volunteer tasks : Counselling, Social work and family, Strengthening Educational and support for access to educational services, Medical Assistance, Support for access to health services, Micro-Management Workshops, Wood Craft Workshops, Craft Workshops, Candy and Chocolate Workshops, Electricity workshops, Drama workshops, Music workshops, Pottery Painting Workshop, Sewing Workshop.

🏠 Accommodation on site

Volunteers are placed with a local host family or in a community living arrangement. This immersive experience is a fantastic way to practice your Spanish and learn about Bolivian culture and daily life firsthand.

🍲 Food

All meals are provided, giving you the chance to savour authentic home-cooked Bolivian cuisine. You can look forward to trying local specialities like salteñas (savoury baked pastries), sopa de maní (a delicious peanut soup), and pique a lo macho (a hearty dish of beef, sausage, and vegetables).

📍 About the location

The project is based in Cochabamba, a city nestled in a valley in the Andes Mountains. Known as the "City of Eternal Spring" for its pleasant, mild climate, it is a vibrant hub of culture and commerce. The volunteer activities take place across four prison facilities in the city (San Sebastián Women's, San Sebastián Men's, San Antonio, and El Abra) as well as at two additional sites in the surrounding provinces.

🎒 Leisure activities

During your free time, Cochabamba offers a wealth of cultural and recreational activities. You can ride the cable car up to the iconic Cristo de la Concordia statue for panoramic views of the city, explore the grand Palacio Portales, or relax in the central Plaza 14 de Septiembre. A visit to La Cancha, one of South America's largest open-air markets, is a must for a truly vibrant sensory experience.

On weekends, you can venture further afield to explore Bolivia's stunning natural landscapes. Popular excursions include trips to Torotoro National Park, famous for its dinosaur footprints and dramatic canyons, or a visit to the beautiful colonial city of Sucre. Longer trips to the world-renowned Salar de Uyuni salt flats can also be arranged.

⚠️ Requirements

To ensure a successful and impactful experience for both you and the community, volunteers are expected to meet the following requirements:

A basic to intermediate level of Spanish is highly recommended to communicate effectively with local staff and project participants.
Volunteers should be open-minded, adaptable, empathetic, and culturally sensitive.
A proactive attitude and a willingness to take initiative are greatly valued.
Minimum age is typically 18 years old.

🤝 Meeting point

The specific meeting point will be confirmed upon acceptance into the programme. Our partner organisation will provide detailed arrival instructions.Please verify this information before your departure.

ℹ️ Additional information

ICYE STEPS aren't group projects. You will be with 2 or 3 volunteers. Those are permanents projects, open all year, free arrival date. Minimum 4 weeks - Maximum 16 weeks

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.

📅 Available sessions

BOL-62/2018

01/01/2018 → 29/12/2018

Closed

2 / 5

♂ 0/2 ♀ 2/3

BOL-62

04/03/2026 at 00:00 → 01/01/2028 at 00:00

Open

0 / 2

♂ 0/1 ♀ 0/1

ℹ️ Key information

Age required

18–98 years old

Solidarity donation

500.00 EUR

French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).

📍 Location

Cochabamba, Bolivia

Bolivia

🌍 Location info

Local currency

Bolivia Boliviano (BOB / $b)

Exchange rate

1 BOB = 0.076143 EUR

Rate as of 31/05/2026

Timezone

Bolivia Time

Local time: 21:33 (12/11/2026)

🛡️ Before you leave

Security information

📞 Contact us

[email protected]

+32 2 888 67 13

Contact form

✅ Features

🏠 Accommodation

Collective

🗣️ Languages spoken

English Spanish