• It completes our Christian witness. 2 Cor.8: 6,7
• It matches the Lord Jesus exemplary life. 2 Cor.8: 9
• It establishes a true sense of social equality. 2Cor.8: 13-15
• It is a matter of generosity. 2 Cor.9: 5
• It recycles Divine blessings. 2 Cor.9: 7, 8
• It promotes an attitude of gratitude. 2 Cor.9: 11-13
• It opens the door for the Gospel of Grace in Christ Jesus! 2 Cor.9: 14, 15

Therefore, it is a way to provide Christians with a path for Biblical obedience & service.

Volunteers interact with the friendliest community of children they can meet, their extended family and friends, while getting busy at the school, the church and the community. Definitively, a most enriching experience in a foreign culture!

Interested in volunteering at La Palmera?

Here are some questions you might ask…

Where is the project and what will it be like there?

Trinidad: Christian Cultural Center, La Palmera is situated in Trinidad, Beni, Bolivia. Trinidad is shown on almost any map of Bolivia. It is located in the north east of the country in the Amazon basin just 14 degrees south of the equator and has a humid tropical climate. It is a small city of just over 80 thousand people, the majority of which live in one-story houses made of adobe bricks. Most of the streets are of cobblestone or dirt roads and almost everything that one would need is available here.

Language: It is important to remember that the language spoken here is Spanish. You will be expected to attend meetings conducted in Spanish, and a basic understanding of the language will be a useful tool in communicating with those in the community whom you will be serving. It is advisable to learn as much Spanish as possible before coming to join the project as you can find it frustrating at times being limited by the inability to express yourself or participate fully in meetings and conversations. However, don’t let this deter you from coming to serve.

In what ways could I serve?
The most important activity you can be involved in is building relationships, encouraging both the international and national personnel and the children here. Also be prepared to get involved in all sorts of other activities, using your skills and experience and applying them to different areas. We expect you to be creative and willing to be involved wherever the need may be.

Some of the activities that you may be able to be involved in include:

• Activities with Children (ages 5 – 17) in the school:
• Recreation (recess time)
• Devotional Periods
• Arts and Crafts
• Classroom Assistant
• Visitations to the homes of school children
• Camps (depending on the time of year)
• Neighborhood children’s Sports day
• Recreational activities within the outlying community
• Activities with the church
• Testimonies
• Special presentations
• Prayer meetings, Bible study, family service, and young peoples meetings
• Home visitations to church families
• Special events – family retreat and gospel campaign

Activities with the community:

• Construction work
• Street evangelism
• Missions Trip to a surrounding area

Where would I stay?
The accommodation is on site as much as possible. We have 1 large room with bunk beds at the school and other rooms are in the short term volunteer’s house located 2 blocks from the school. Most lunches and evening meals will be provided and are included in your living costs.

What health care can I expect?
On paying a subscription of around $13US, primary medical and dental care can be accessed through the Health Center. Some medications and services not provided by the Health Center will have to be paid for separately. Admission and treatment at local hospitals will be your own responsibility, therefore we recommend you to undertake health insurance or make provision for such eventualities. Any allergies, medical, and psychological conditions must be reported to the Health Services director directly prior to the departure from your country of origin. This information will be treated confidentially. Failing to do so may result on your visit having to be cut short on medical grounds.

What immunizations will I need to arrange before I come?
The essential and recommended immunizations for your visit to Trinidad-Beni are:

ESSENTIAL TO BE UP TO DATE
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Poliomyelitis
Measles
Parotitis (Mumps)
Rubella (German Measles)
Hepatitis A
Yellow Fever
Typhoid Fever

RECOMMENDED
BCG (Tuberculosis)
Rabies
Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type b)
Second dose MMR

REQUIRED FOR HEALTH WORKERS
Hepatitis B vaccine and appropriate antibodies titers

MALARIA PROHILAXIS is NOT required or recommended for visitors to Trinidad –Beni, Bolivia. If you are planning to visit other areas or countries do consult your GP or Family Practice.

Once you have familiarized yourself with the work at the project and have prayed about whether God is leading you to come and serve, you will need to fill in an application form .