VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Volunteer Coordinator: Tom McNair email: amanecer@supernet.com.bo REQUIREMENTS Amanecer is a catholic based organization but does not require volunteers to be of the catholic faith or of any faith. Volunteers must be 21 years of age and willing to work in the program for at least six months. (Depending on skill types shorter terms can be arranged.) Knowledge of Spanish is essential. Preferred backgrounds for volunteers are education, childcare, psychology or health care. However, anyone who loves children can be useful and given the size and diversity of the program most skill types can be accommodated. Anyone considering becoming a volunteer should realize that although the work is rewarding it can be difficult due to the requirement for acculturation and the emotional condition of the children. Our experience has been that volunteers need an advanced maturity level and a flexible nature to be effective. FINANCES Amanecer cannot help with travel expenses. (Amanecer operates by donations and grants. Many permanent personnel are not paid through the program allowing for an annual average overhead of only 10% of the budget.) Room and board will be free to volunteers who work for six months. All other expenses will have to be covered by the volunteer or a sponsoring agency. VOLUNTEER AREAS The following list indicates the general areas in which Amanecer needs assistance. It is not an exhaustive list and if you would consider working with street children in Bolivia, no matter what your expertise or background, we would encourage you to contact us. EDUCATION There are positions available in the formal school operated by Amanecer that teaches kindergarten levels through grade 7. The children also require tutors for basic math, science, geography and language. Many of the children come to the program speaking only an indigenous dialect and must be taught Spanish. BUILDING MAINTENANCE There is a great need for skilled trades people or people not officially qualified but able to effectively help with the maintenance of the various facilities of the program. CHILDCARE The program has one facility with 120 children ages 0 to 5. (There are currently 24 babies under 6 months in residence.) This facility has need of assistance in all operational areas including infant care and feeding, janitorial, laundry, plant maintenance and (most importantly) playing with and providing affection for children without parents. MENTAL HEALTH Many of the children have emotional problems and can benefit from individual attention and counseling by professionals. (A high level of Spanish required.) SPORTS Sports are used to encourage healthy physical developmenmailto:amanecer@supernet.com.bot and teach children how to cooperate in team play. Favorite sports are soccer, baseball and basketball. Volunteers with abilities in this area or willingness to instruct the fundamentals of these sports are welcome. COMPUTERS Amanecer has accumulated over 20 used computers of various ages. Volunteers with basic or advanced computer skills are needed to help maintain the computers and organize training Volunteer Coordinator: Tom McNair email: amanecer@supernet.com.bo