Proyecto Horizonte USHPA-USHPA (Socially excluded groups project)
Code: 194da676-c335-11ed-a5f1-fa163ef8d720 Copied
About the project
Proyecto Horizonte USHPA-USHPA (Socially excluded groups project)
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Proyecto Horizonte - Ushpa Ushpa (Society of St. Vincent de Paul) is a non-profit institution of social welfare, located in Ushpa Ushpa community, a marginalized semi-urban area 10 km south of the city of Cochabamba.
It was founded in 2004 in order to cope with the extreme poverty of the community and respond to the needs of protection, education, medical care and feeding of children.
💼 What the programme involves
The project's main activities are:
Health Centre “Mineros San Juan”
Comprehensive Educational Centre Initial Training and Education Unit “St. Vincent de Paul”
Group of Women“TANTAKUNA”
Several groups of Sports and Culture (children, youth and adults)
Department of Micro Finance and Micro Enterprise Development
The volunteer is expected to:
- support the nursery
- provide school support (math, English)
- help with the sport and cultural classes (dance, music…)
- work with the women
- help with the organization of events
- update the website
- do some translation work (English/Spanish/German)
The volunteer can join us in all areas of the project and the specific tasks depend on their existing knowledge and experience and on the length of their stay. We are also open for new proposals and ideas as long as they are aligned with our general project ideas.
🏠 Accommodation on site
To ensure a deep cultural immersion, you will live with a carefully selected local host family. This is a fantastic opportunity to practise your Spanish, share in the daily life of a Bolivian family, and build genuine, lasting connections. Your hosts will provide you with a safe and welcoming environment, making you feel like a part of the community from day one.
🍲 Food
Living with a host family also means you get to enjoy authentic Bolivian home cooking! Cochabamba is renowned as Bolivia's gastronomic capital. You can look forward to trying local specialties such as salteñas (savoury baked pastries), pique a lo macho (a hearty dish of beef, fries, and vegetables), and silpancho (a thin, breaded cutlet served with rice and eggs). This immersive experience will give you a true taste of local life beyond the project work.
📍 About the location
The project is located in San Juan Mining District Ushpa-Ushpa, 10 km to the southeast of the city Cochabamba. There are around 1,500 families living under marginal economic circumstances, they are very poor people who lack almost any basic service.
🎒 Leisure activities
During your free time, you will have plenty to explore in and around Cochabamba. You can ride the cable car up to the iconic Cristo de la Concordia statue for breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Stroll through the historic Plaza 14 de Septiembre or visit La Cancha, one of the largest open-air markets in South America. For weekend trips, consider exploring the stunning landscapes and dinosaur footprints of Torotoro National Park or discovering the rich colonial history of nearby towns like Tarata.
⚠️ Requirements
We are looking for volunteers who are responsible, proactive, open-minded, and bring a positive attitude to their work. The ability to take initiative and adapt to new environments is crucial. While fluency is not required, a basic to intermediate level of Spanish is highly recommended to facilitate communication with the local team and community members, and to enrich your overall experience.
🤝 Meeting point
The specific meeting point will be confirmed upon acceptance into the programme.
Please verify this information before your departure.
ℹ️ Additional information
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📷 Project photos
📅 Available sessions
ICYE/BOL-51
01/01/2025 at 00:00 → 01/01/2028 at 00:00
ICYE/BOL-51
01/01/2023 at 00:00 → 31/12/2024 at 00:00
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–99 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
Ushpa Ushpa, 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: 21:47 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
🗣️ Languages spoken