Chef or Nutritionist in Bolivian Amazon
Coordinator | Erik
Coordinator | Erik
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Enjoy volunteering abroad and geting to know the Bolivian Amazon
Develop cooking techniques and experience teaching coooking lessons in rural communities
Cook with kids and teenagers while learning about Bolivian culture
Make friends and meaningful memories with other volunteers
Visit the Aquicuana Reserve to experience part of the Amazon Forest
Sustainable Bolivia is looking for volunteers who can help with cooking healthy veggie meals for the team, kitchen logistics and do workshops with rural communities.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
Sustainable Bolivia is a NGO based in Riberalta, the heart of the Bolivian Amazon. We focus our work on sustainable community development and conservation actions.
Our volunteers have the opportunity to live and support our work at the Aquicuana Reserve and it's surroundings. This area of incredible biodiversity is located about 20 kilometers from the city of Riberalta in the Beni Department of the Bolivian Amazon. It is home to Lake San José, the plant-medicine retreat center Pisatahua, and two rural communities: San José and Warnes. Its name, Aquicuana, comes from the Tacana native language, meaning ‘land of the giant trees.’
There we promote initiatives to support education, scientific research, community development, regenerative agriculture and conservation actions.
We provide a open space for the community called "Comedor" where volunteers have internet access so that they can prepare and develop activities with the community. We also offer a Research Station and (depending on availability) accommodation in the city of Riberalta if volunteers want to visit, shop or go out during the weekends.
The Comedor was actually build with the intention of it being a community kitchen; community kitchens build social connectedness because they bring people together who may not normally meet otherwise. By sharing ideas, learning from each other and talking about their lives, people who participate in community kitchens say that the social aspect has been one of the biggest benefits.
The volunteer interested in this position would be working at the Comedor to cook for the team of volunteers, organize the logistics on it and do workshops with the community in regards of cooking and the selling of local food.
Typical day
Responsibilities may include:
- Creating new healthy and budget-conscious recipes that can be cooked on a large scale
- Shopping for and preparing recipes for large community meals
- Aiding in teaching kitchen skills to older children/adults/staff
- Planning weekly menus that ensuring quality nutrition for each individual
- Being aware of any physical or nutritional limitations of individuals, and catering to those needs
- Utilizing nutrient dense plants to supplement meals and create nutritional balance
Free-time activities
In their free time, volunteers can enjoy a lot of activities around Riberalta such as enjoying the nature of the Amazon (tours, trekking) and the animals, enjoying the rivers (boat tours) or the swimming pools in the city. It is also very easy to go to Brazil where you there is a lot of amenities for shopping.
If volunteers want
to travel, there is a lot to see in Bolivia itself (easily accessible
by plane) such as the salt flats, the Titicaca Lake, the cities of La
Paz, Sucre and Tarija (this last one for the wines), the mines of Potosi
and of course its incredible nature and the parks around Santa Cruz
(Amboro) or Samaipata, and around Villa Tunari.
Hiking
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Sightseeing
Sports
Swimming
Water Sports
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
or Spanish (basic level)
Resume or a cv
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Minimum commitment of 1 month
Basic Spanish
Patience and flexibility
Ability to work with little supervision or independently
Experience and/or passion for cooking for a min of 20 people
Basic Spanish
Patience and flexibility
Ability to work with little supervision or independently
Experience and/or passion for cooking for a min of 20 people
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
- Pre-arrival support
- Accommodation at the Aquicuana Reserve
- 3 meals a day (vegetarian/vegan option possible)
- Volunteer or internship placement
- 24-hour staff support
- Drinkable water
- Internet access
- Orientation
- Airport pick up (in Riberalta) and initial transportation to the Reserve
- Cleaning services
- Discount to Plant Medicine Retreat Pisatahua
What's included:
Airport pick up from the city of Riberalta
We offer accommodation inside the Aquicuana Reserve and share
Pisatahua Retreat's infrastructure. Volunteers and interns share dorm
rooms in our sustainable ecolodges, the volunteer cabin and the research
station.
About infrastructure in Pisatahua:
We employ energy-efficient innovations to enhance the comfort and aesthetic experience of our guests. We make every possible attempt to utilize local, natural, and sustainable building materials for housing and furniture.
We use renewable energy resources and we’ve implemented simple, cost-efficient, energy and water conservation measures. We treat grey-water and recycle all our waste.
Our facilities were constructed with sustainably-harvested wood, bamboo, and palm leaves. We designed all of our infrastructure in accordance with traditional construction techniques; however, these methodologies were adapted to meet our specific needs. Local community members are employed for all our construction and maintenance needs.
All construction methods minimized the removal of vegetation. The trees whose lives we spared return the favor by cooling down the area and shielding our guests from the sun.
We constructed limited number
of elevated walkways to prevent soil erosion and protect fragile
ecosystems. These walkways also protect our guests from the jungle
elements.
Energy and Water Conservation:
Due to our remote location, we’re completely off-grid and we must generate our own electricity. Electricity use is limited to power a few appliances such as common-area lighting, water pumps, and kitchen equipment.
We’ve taken steps to minimize our water usage by implementing a few simple measures including: low-flow restrictor valves, low-flow toilets and water saving nozzles. Furthermore, guests are required to use 100% biodegradable, phosphorous-free soap and shampoo.
Some of our energy conservation measures include:
- Renewable solar energy light-bulbs
- Drying racks on clothes line
- Reusing towels and linens
- High efficiency appliances
- Energy efficient refrigeration
Our goal is to Leave-No-Trace when it comes to waste.
Anything we pack in, we bring out. We recycle everything we can in the
city of Riberalta. All organic matter from the kitchen is composted. A
conscious effort is made to reduce all packaging. Whenever possible we
purchase supplies made from recycled materials.
- Drinkable water available
- 3 meals per day (vegetarian/vegan option possible)
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Gen Buech Airport (RIB) in Riberalta. We assist you to find cheap flights to Bolivia.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Bolivia provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Bolivia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Bolivia.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
When can your start volunteering?
Volunteers can join the program throughout all year round.
How to get to Riberalta?
First you would have to fly into Bolivia - either La Paz (LPB) or Santa Cruz (VVI). From there you can take a connecting flight with the airline Ecojet to Riberalta. There are daily flights that cost about $120 each way. We typically recommend you fly into Santa Cruz as the connections are easier. Contact us for information to purchase a flight with a local travel agency.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
4 - 48 weeks
Program fees
4 weeks
(min. stay)
$600
8 weeks
$1,200
12 weeks
$1,800
48 weeks
(max. stay)
$7,200
Average fees
$150
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Sustainable Bolivia
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Sustainable Bolivia during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
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application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
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Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Sustainable Bolivia cancels your trip
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Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Sustainable Bolivia.
What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Chef or Nutritionist in Bolivian Amazon
Sustainable Bolivia is looking for volunteers who can help with cooking healthy veggie meals for the team, kitchen logistics and do workshops with rural communities.
$150/week
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