It is winter in the south but summer in the north and we are busy. Lots of volunteers and also a visit from Rutger University professor Daniel Goldstein and his merry group of 13 students. You can check out what they are doing by reading their blog.
Well for now got to get back to work but hope to see you all soon in cyberspace.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Friday, 15 May 2009
IN THE KNOW
When I first moved to Bolivia in 1994 and was the co-director of the Andean Information Network we had to send out human rights alerts by fax and our dial up email connection, one of the first in town, was slow at best. Since that time, for better or for worse, Bolivia has become connected to the world. We have email, internet cafes, wifi and cheap phone calls just like the north
I suppose one of the benefits of all this hooking up is the appearance of a number of sources on the internet for information about Bolivia and the rest of Latin America. So I figured rather than rant about the evils of technology I would share with you a few of my favorite web sites.
Ben Dangle came to Bolivia a number of years ago and hung his hat in our now defunct café La Republika. Since then he has gone on the write a book about Bolivia called “The Price of Fire” and he edits the website Upside Down World a great place to read about all of Latin America.
I have never met Fred Fuentes as he lives in Oz, he is a bit of a chavista but I like his website Bolivia Rising especially as he takes the time to translate lots of articles about Bolivia. Check it out, he also links to a number of other good sites.
The Bolivia Transition Project is the Web Log for news, information and policy updates on the Bolivia transition team from Digital Warrior Media in conjunction with WBAI-FM & Pacifica Radio.
Accion Andina was founded by my good friend and former roommate Theo Roncken. It is a good source of information on a mix of issues including coca, migration and conflict resolution. Be sure to note most of the information is in Spanish.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Toro Toro Backpack Distribution
By Julia Haas
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We are pleased to announce the completion our backpack distribution project! As most of you know, we were unable to raise our usual, yearly support for a Christmas project. Instead, we decided to use the donations we received to buy school supplies for schools in Toro Toro, a small village about five hours from Cochabamba. The goal of this year’s plan was to deliver backpacks containing school supplies to the students of small local schools.
The week prior to delivery two of our volunteers, Julia and Bill, prepared the supplies by packing pencils, pens, notebooks, erasers,colored pencils, journals,
rulers, and sharpeners into the backpacks for the long trek through the mountains.
The journey began on a sunny, Thursday afternoon. We managed to fit all the backpacks and our four volunteers for the project into our four-wheel drive vehicle for the journey ahead. Toro Toro is a village deep in the mountains that is known for its beautiful scenery, spectacular canyon, caves and dinosaur fossils. It is still quite un-touched by the western world because of its remote location. The road to Toro Toro from Cochabamba is a winding path of rocks laid into the mountain. It crosses rivers, streams, and other obstacles making it an interesting drive. Luckily, we successfully made it to our destination on Thursday night.
On Friday, we woke up bright and early to the extraordinary scenery Toro Toro has to offer. We prepared the backpacks one last time and began our expedition deeper into the mountains to our first school. Although sometimes it seemed unlikely we would make it through the paths that are considered “roads,” we somehow managed. For the first school, we parked our truck on the side of the road with no school or building in site. We then grabbed the packs and made a half-hour trek on foot through the mountains.
Eventually we arrived at a small school with about eighteen students who live nearby in the mountains. They hardly spoke Spanish (since they speak Quechua instead) and were obviously tentative to approach the gringos that had arrived. Despite their reservations, they gladly accepted the new backpacks. It was an unforgettable experience to see these children who live so remotely. In the words of our volunteer Bill, “that was mind-blowing.”
The third and second schools were much easier to access. The second school was actually visible from the path through the mountain and had about twenty-two students. These students were thrilled to havevisitors and receive new backpacks.
As we made our way back to Cochabamba, we handed out the remaining backpacks to the children who live near the road. As soon as they saw we had backpacks for them, they came running with big smiles on their faces!
Although you were not able to accompany us on this memorable experience, without your support, this whole trip would have been impossible. As we distributed each backpack to every smiling child, it was as if you were there with us making a difference too.
Thank you so much for your support in this project. There are now over 200 children with new school supplies to enhance their education.
To see a slide show of the adventure click here.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We are pleased to announce the completion our backpack distribution project! As most of you know, we were unable to raise our usual, yearly support for a Christmas project. Instead, we decided to use the donations we received to buy school supplies for schools in Toro Toro, a small village about five hours from Cochabamba. The goal of this year’s plan was to deliver backpacks containing school supplies to the students of small local schools.
The week prior to delivery two of our volunteers, Julia and Bill, prepared the supplies by packing pencils, pens, notebooks, erasers,colored pencils, journals,
rulers, and sharpeners into the backpacks for the long trek through the mountains.
The journey began on a sunny, Thursday afternoon. We managed to fit all the backpacks and our four volunteers for the project into our four-wheel drive vehicle for the journey ahead. Toro Toro is a village deep in the mountains that is known for its beautiful scenery, spectacular canyon, caves and dinosaur fossils. It is still quite un-touched by the western world because of its remote location. The road to Toro Toro from Cochabamba is a winding path of rocks laid into the mountain. It crosses rivers, streams, and other obstacles making it an interesting drive. Luckily, we successfully made it to our destination on Thursday night.
On Friday, we woke up bright and early to the extraordinary scenery Toro Toro has to offer. We prepared the backpacks one last time and began our expedition deeper into the mountains to our first school. Although sometimes it seemed unlikely we would make it through the paths that are considered “roads,” we somehow managed. For the first school, we parked our truck on the side of the road with no school or building in site. We then grabbed the packs and made a half-hour trek on foot through the mountains.
Eventually we arrived at a small school with about eighteen students who live nearby in the mountains. They hardly spoke Spanish (since they speak Quechua instead) and were obviously tentative to approach the gringos that had arrived. Despite their reservations, they gladly accepted the new backpacks. It was an unforgettable experience to see these children who live so remotely. In the words of our volunteer Bill, “that was mind-blowing.”
The third and second schools were much easier to access. The second school was actually visible from the path through the mountain and had about twenty-two students. These students were thrilled to havevisitors and receive new backpacks.
As we made our way back to Cochabamba, we handed out the remaining backpacks to the children who live near the road. As soon as they saw we had backpacks for them, they came running with big smiles on their faces!
Although you were not able to accompany us on this memorable experience, without your support, this whole trip would have been impossible. As we distributed each backpack to every smiling child, it was as if you were there with us making a difference too.
Thank you so much for your support in this project. There are now over 200 children with new school supplies to enhance their education.
To see a slide show of the adventure click here.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
BOLIVIA BACKGROUND
Bolivia is famous for its breathtaking Andean landscapes, Inca ruins, large indigenous population and Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. Less well known, however, is the fact that two thirds of the country is covered with virgin rainforests that form part of the Amazon basin. Given its enormous variety of ecological zones, the country also offers an enormous diversity of cultures, from the Guaraní of the orient to the better-known Quechua and Aymará Indians in the altiplano.
Bolivia is infamous as the country that has had 190 coups since independence in 1825. Despite its relatively small population, enormous reserves of natural resources and relatively stable democracy over the last 20 years, Bolivia is still one of the poorest countries in South America. Many experts say that this is largely the result of wide-spread government corruption and the international imposition of neo-liberal economic measurements.
The city of Cochabamba, for example, became internationally known in April 2000 when the local population refused to except the sale of its local water supply to transnational companies. Notwithstanding all this, Bolivia remains one of the safest countries for traveling in Latin America.Volunteer Bolivia is based in the city of Cochabamba where most of our activities take place. Bolivia has three major cities: La Paz/ El Alto, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba.
Third in size, Cochabamba is home to approximately 800,000 people and the largest open-air market in the country. Nestled in a high valley (8,430 ft./ 2570 Mts.) and surrounded by numerous small-farming villages, the department of Cochabamba produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. These features, combined with the Mediterranean climate (temp. mean of 66F/19 C) throughout the year, make it a highly desirable place to live.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
NEW ARTICLE
Just a quick note to let all know we have an article in the recent copy of Canadian Student Magazine check it out.
Monday, 16 February 2009
CARNAVAL 2009
Carnival in Bolivia is a without a doubt the most popular of the Bolivian festivals. Each region of the country celebrates carnival in their own manner. These festivals are the best demonstration of our folklore and traditions. The biggest carnival festival is in Oruro and has been declared by UNESCO as Cultural Patrimony of Humanity”.
The traditional legend is that in 1789 the Virgin of the Socavón (loosely translated as mine shaft) miraculously appeared in the largest sliver mine in Oruro. Since this time the festival has honoured the virgin and even today the most important parts of the festival of take place in front of the at the shrine of the Socavón.
The preparations for carnival take place all during the year with uncountable ceremonies and rituals. The largest of these celebrations takes place in Oruro when thousands of dancers take to the streets accompanied by large brass bands and dance for kilometres. The main dance is the diablada but one will also see morenada, caporals, suri-sicurus la llamerada, la kullawada and Tinku as well as dozens of others.
Come with us to experience this unforgettable event Saturday 21 of Februrary.
Cost: $ 70
Contact: info@boliviacultura.com or call 452-7272
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Moving On: Bolivia Ratifies New Constitutional Draft
Many folks have contacted us over the last few months asking about the vote on the new Bolivian constitution. Well at last we have a result....we offer this article from the AIN to keep you informed.
Moving On: Bolivia Ratifies New Constitutional Draft
By Erin Hatheway, Andean Information Network.
January 27, 2009
As predicted, Bolivian voters ratified the new constitutional draft in the national referendum held on January 25, 2009. Exit polls project that the winning margin will be approximately 62 percent. (1) This referendum also set the limit for private land holdings at 5,000 hectares, winning over the other option of 10,000 hectares by an unconfirmed margin of 79 percent. (2) The National Electoral Court continues to tabulate official votes, and final results should be available within several days. [Please refer to the Electoral Court website (in Spanish) for frequently updated official tabulations at http://www.cne.org.bo/.] Although this approval represents a significant achievement for the MAS government, it also marks the beginning of a necessarily long legislative process, perhaps involving more than 100 laws to enact the constitutional reforms.
There were no significant incidents of violence or protest reported on Election Day. Regional voting percentages also followed familiar patterns, with lower approval levels in the lowland departments. Generally, rural results are slower to register, which suggest that “Yes” votes could be higher
Most Bolivians Choose Lower Land Limit
Somewhat unexpectedly, however, an overwhelming majority of voters chose the smaller private landholding limit. The two options, left undecided by the political impasse of the 2007 Constitutional Assembly, were 5,000 hectares (19.5 square miles) or 10,000 hectares (39 square miles). This stipulation will not apply retroactively, but will only be enforced for future land purchases and property formations. The wide margin by which voters approved the limit represents an important mandate for the MAS government to continue with agrarian reform measures.
Response from Both Sides
Lowland opposition leaders had mixed reactions to the approved referendum. Volatile Santa Cruz prefect, Ruben Costas, spoke to a crowd gathered in the city’s main plaza to celebrate the “No” victory in their region on Sunday night. According to the Santa Cruz newspaper, El Deber, Costas demanded that the government recognize the constitution did not win the majority of votes, or they would be met with “unyielding resistance.” (3) Also ignoring the dynamics of the democratic process in a national vote, Santa Cruz autonomy leader, Carlos Dabdoub stated: “No constitution can be implemented if it has not been approved in all of the departments.” (4)
However, the leader of the Santa Cruz Civic Committee, Branko Marinkovic, and Tarija prefect Mario Cossio reportedly asked for negotiations with the MAS government to “build a new Bolivia.” (5)
President Evo Morales praised the referendum outcome in a speech in La Paz Sunday night. “I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to express my great recognition of all our Bolivian sisters and brothers, all of our compatriots, all of the citizens who, by their vote, through their democratic participation, have decided to recreate Bolivia.” (6) Morales also agreed to dialogue and negotiations with opposition, using the new constitution as a starting point.
Important International Support
Raul Lago, the Organization of American States (OEA) delegate in charge of their electoral observers, praised the absence of violence in the January 25 referendum. (7) The delegation stated that it “understands that this election expresses the decision of the Bolivian society to continue advancing to the establishment of the democratic process in Bolivia.” (8)
It is also important to highlight the positive response of U.S. Secretary of State Acting Spokesman, Robert Wood, in his daily press briefing on January 26: “We congratulate the Bolivian people on the referendum, and I don’t think the results are final at this point, but we look forward to working with the Bolivian government in ways we can to further democracy and prosperity in the hemisphere.” (9) When further questioned whether the referendum promoted democracy, Wood responded: “Well, a free, fair democratic process certainly does contribute positively, but what I said was I wanted to wait until we can see the final results. But we certainly do congratulate the Bolivian people on that referendum.” (10) This represents a crucial change under the new Obama administration, after the punitive discourse adopted by Bush officials following the expulsion of Ambassador Goldberg and their lack of public recognition of the legitimacy of the August 2008 recall vote.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) ABI, “TVB: El Sí gana con el 61,96%.” 25 January 2009. http://abi.bo/index.php?i=noticias_texto_paleta&j=20090125234805&l=200901250068_El_S%ED_festej%F3_en_la_plaza_Murillo._(ABI).
(2) Corte Nacional Electoral, “Referéndum Nacional Constituyente 2009.” 26 January 2009. http://www.cne.org.bo/ResultadosRNC2009/wfrmDirimidor.aspx.
(3) El Deber, “El Sí triunfa y el No apunta a un pacto.” 26 January 2009. http://www.eldeber.com.bo/vernotaahora.php?id=090126025210.
(4) Romero, Simon. “Bolivians Ratify New Constitution.” The New York Times, 26 January 2009.
(5) El Deber, “El Sí triunfa y el No apunta a un pacto.” 26 January 2009. http://www.eldeber.com.bo/vernotaahora.php?id=090126025210.
(6) ABI, “Presidente celebra el triunfo del Sí y anuncia refundación inmediata del país.” 25 January 2009. http://abi.bo/index.php?i=noticias_texto_paleta&j=20090125231705&l=200901250066_Evo_Morales_saluda_en_plaza_Murillo_la_victoria_del_S%ED_y_la_refundaci%F3n_del_pa%EDs._(ABI).
(7) EFE, “OEA destaca voluntad de bolivianos para mejorar sus instrumentos democráticos.” 26 January 2009.
(8) ANF, “La OEA entrega a la Corte Electoral evidencias de irregularidades.” 26 January 2009.
(9) U.S. State Department, “Daily Press Briefing,” Robert Wood, Washington, D.C., 26 January 2009. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2009/jan/115389.htm.
(10) Ibid.
Moving On: Bolivia Ratifies New Constitutional Draft
By Erin Hatheway, Andean Information Network.
January 27, 2009
As predicted, Bolivian voters ratified the new constitutional draft in the national referendum held on January 25, 2009. Exit polls project that the winning margin will be approximately 62 percent. (1) This referendum also set the limit for private land holdings at 5,000 hectares, winning over the other option of 10,000 hectares by an unconfirmed margin of 79 percent. (2) The National Electoral Court continues to tabulate official votes, and final results should be available within several days. [Please refer to the Electoral Court website (in Spanish) for frequently updated official tabulations at http://www.cne.org.bo/.] Although this approval represents a significant achievement for the MAS government, it also marks the beginning of a necessarily long legislative process, perhaps involving more than 100 laws to enact the constitutional reforms.
There were no significant incidents of violence or protest reported on Election Day. Regional voting percentages also followed familiar patterns, with lower approval levels in the lowland departments. Generally, rural results are slower to register, which suggest that “Yes” votes could be higher
Most Bolivians Choose Lower Land Limit
Somewhat unexpectedly, however, an overwhelming majority of voters chose the smaller private landholding limit. The two options, left undecided by the political impasse of the 2007 Constitutional Assembly, were 5,000 hectares (19.5 square miles) or 10,000 hectares (39 square miles). This stipulation will not apply retroactively, but will only be enforced for future land purchases and property formations. The wide margin by which voters approved the limit represents an important mandate for the MAS government to continue with agrarian reform measures.
Response from Both Sides
Lowland opposition leaders had mixed reactions to the approved referendum. Volatile Santa Cruz prefect, Ruben Costas, spoke to a crowd gathered in the city’s main plaza to celebrate the “No” victory in their region on Sunday night. According to the Santa Cruz newspaper, El Deber, Costas demanded that the government recognize the constitution did not win the majority of votes, or they would be met with “unyielding resistance.” (3) Also ignoring the dynamics of the democratic process in a national vote, Santa Cruz autonomy leader, Carlos Dabdoub stated: “No constitution can be implemented if it has not been approved in all of the departments.” (4)
However, the leader of the Santa Cruz Civic Committee, Branko Marinkovic, and Tarija prefect Mario Cossio reportedly asked for negotiations with the MAS government to “build a new Bolivia.” (5)
President Evo Morales praised the referendum outcome in a speech in La Paz Sunday night. “I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to express my great recognition of all our Bolivian sisters and brothers, all of our compatriots, all of the citizens who, by their vote, through their democratic participation, have decided to recreate Bolivia.” (6) Morales also agreed to dialogue and negotiations with opposition, using the new constitution as a starting point.
Important International Support
Raul Lago, the Organization of American States (OEA) delegate in charge of their electoral observers, praised the absence of violence in the January 25 referendum. (7) The delegation stated that it “understands that this election expresses the decision of the Bolivian society to continue advancing to the establishment of the democratic process in Bolivia.” (8)
It is also important to highlight the positive response of U.S. Secretary of State Acting Spokesman, Robert Wood, in his daily press briefing on January 26: “We congratulate the Bolivian people on the referendum, and I don’t think the results are final at this point, but we look forward to working with the Bolivian government in ways we can to further democracy and prosperity in the hemisphere.” (9) When further questioned whether the referendum promoted democracy, Wood responded: “Well, a free, fair democratic process certainly does contribute positively, but what I said was I wanted to wait until we can see the final results. But we certainly do congratulate the Bolivian people on that referendum.” (10) This represents a crucial change under the new Obama administration, after the punitive discourse adopted by Bush officials following the expulsion of Ambassador Goldberg and their lack of public recognition of the legitimacy of the August 2008 recall vote.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) ABI, “TVB: El Sí gana con el 61,96%.” 25 January 2009. http://abi.bo/index.php?i=noticias_texto_paleta&j=20090125234805&l=200901250068_El_S%ED_festej%F3_en_la_plaza_Murillo._(ABI).
(2) Corte Nacional Electoral, “Referéndum Nacional Constituyente 2009.” 26 January 2009. http://www.cne.org.bo/ResultadosRNC2009/wfrmDirimidor.aspx.
(3) El Deber, “El Sí triunfa y el No apunta a un pacto.” 26 January 2009. http://www.eldeber.com.bo/vernotaahora.php?id=090126025210.
(4) Romero, Simon. “Bolivians Ratify New Constitution.” The New York Times, 26 January 2009.
(5) El Deber, “El Sí triunfa y el No apunta a un pacto.” 26 January 2009. http://www.eldeber.com.bo/vernotaahora.php?id=090126025210.
(6) ABI, “Presidente celebra el triunfo del Sí y anuncia refundación inmediata del país.” 25 January 2009. http://abi.bo/index.php?i=noticias_texto_paleta&j=20090125231705&l=200901250066_Evo_Morales_saluda_en_plaza_Murillo_la_victoria_del_S%ED_y_la_refundaci%F3n_del_pa%EDs._(ABI).
(7) EFE, “OEA destaca voluntad de bolivianos para mejorar sus instrumentos democráticos.” 26 January 2009.
(8) ANF, “La OEA entrega a la Corte Electoral evidencias de irregularidades.” 26 January 2009.
(9) U.S. State Department, “Daily Press Briefing,” Robert Wood, Washington, D.C., 26 January 2009. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2009/jan/115389.htm.
(10) Ibid.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
hApPy nEw yEaR 2009!!
Volunteer Bolivia wishes everyone Happy New Year and hopes for a 2009 with more justice in the world.
J'ALLALLA
J'ALLALLA
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe Christmas is only a month away and that once again the “Pro-Navidad” campaign is upon us. If you helped us out last year, thanks so much we raised more than $2500. We would like to do the same this year if possible.
If you don’t know what we are talking about read on. Since 2000, Volunteer Bolivia has organized a Christmas campaign “Pro-Navidad”. For the past 2 years we travelled to the small Andean village of Toro Toro where we will once again be celebrating the holidays. We would like to give a small gift to the children and food baskets with staples such as rice, sugar and powdered milk to their families as well as invite all to a cup of hot chocolate.
WHY TORO TORO??
Over the years we have developed a special relationship with the village residents and the area’s amazing natural beauty. We, and our volunteers, have benefited from the both the kindness and generosity of the families we have met and stayed with. Christmas is a great time and opportunity to give back to the community
Please consider joining us this year, even the smallest donation can help tremendously! We also encourage you to pass this information to friends and family. All help is appreciated..
HOW TO HELP
Pass this letter on to friends and family so they can join the campaign as well.
If you’ve got younger brothers and sisters in school, please give this information to them – in the past we have small fundraisers/events in schools to raise money.
If you are a teacher please think about having your class do a fundraiser!!!
HOW TO DONATE
We have worked out various payment options.
THANKS AND DON’T FORGET TO LET US KNOW IF YOU IF YOU MAKE A DONATION!!!!!!
UNITED STATES
Donations made by check made out to Pat Cridland sent to 6 Bradford Drive, Syracuse, New York, 13224.
OR
You can make a direct deposit to:
Bank: Bank of America
Name of Account: Lee Cridland
Account No: # 938086 2999
AUSTRALIA
Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Name of Account: Paula M Pfoeffer
Account No: 2217 1026 2485
UNITED KINGDOM
Bank: Natwest
Name of Account: Javier Molina M
Account No: 87018853
Sort code: 51-50-14
Cheers,
From the 2008 organizing team!!!!
It is hard to believe Christmas is only a month away and that once again the “Pro-Navidad” campaign is upon us. If you helped us out last year, thanks so much we raised more than $2500. We would like to do the same this year if possible.
If you don’t know what we are talking about read on. Since 2000, Volunteer Bolivia has organized a Christmas campaign “Pro-Navidad”. For the past 2 years we travelled to the small Andean village of Toro Toro where we will once again be celebrating the holidays. We would like to give a small gift to the children and food baskets with staples such as rice, sugar and powdered milk to their families as well as invite all to a cup of hot chocolate.
WHY TORO TORO??
Over the years we have developed a special relationship with the village residents and the area’s amazing natural beauty. We, and our volunteers, have benefited from the both the kindness and generosity of the families we have met and stayed with. Christmas is a great time and opportunity to give back to the community
Please consider joining us this year, even the smallest donation can help tremendously! We also encourage you to pass this information to friends and family. All help is appreciated..
HOW TO HELP
Pass this letter on to friends and family so they can join the campaign as well.
If you’ve got younger brothers and sisters in school, please give this information to them – in the past we have small fundraisers/events in schools to raise money.
If you are a teacher please think about having your class do a fundraiser!!!
HOW TO DONATE
We have worked out various payment options.
THANKS AND DON’T FORGET TO LET US KNOW IF YOU IF YOU MAKE A DONATION!!!!!!
UNITED STATES
Donations made by check made out to Pat Cridland sent to 6 Bradford Drive, Syracuse, New York, 13224.
OR
You can make a direct deposit to:
Bank: Bank of America
Name of Account: Lee Cridland
Account No: # 938086 2999
AUSTRALIA
Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Name of Account: Paula M Pfoeffer
Account No: 2217 1026 2485
UNITED KINGDOM
Bank: Natwest
Name of Account: Javier Molina M
Account No: 87018853
Sort code: 51-50-14
Cheers,
From the 2008 organizing team!!!!
Thursday, 13 November 2008
YES, YOU DO NEED ONE!!
How US Citizens Get a Visa to Bolivia in 7 Easy Steps
Volunteers coming into our program are always asking about visa requirements. For most western countries you can get a 90 day visa once in Bolivia but for US citizens the situation is a bit different. Below is the information provided to us by the Bolivian Embassy. You can either do the paperwork in the US at the nearest Bolivian Embassy or bring it all and pay the fee in the airport once you land in Bolivia. It is just about paperwork so read on....
Tourist Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens
1. The sworn statement for visa application form
2. A passport valid for six months
3. Hotel reservation or invitation letter
4. Photocopy of roundtrip ticket or travel itinerary
5. Proof of economic solvency
6. Payment of $135 visa issuance fee
7. International yellow fever vaccination certificate
CONFUSED??? A FEW MORE DETAILS
1. THE SWORN STATEMENT FOR VISA APPLICATION FORM . If the tourist does not already have the application form, he/she will be able to obtain one at each immigration checkpoint.
2. VALID PASSPORT. The passport must have a validity of not less than 6 months.
3. HOTEL RESERVATION. In case the tourist is unsure about which hotel he/she will stay at, the immigration officers will provide the tourist with a list of hotels to choose from, according to the tourist's travel budget. A tourist who arrives in the country bearing a letter of invitation shall submit such letter to the immigration officer.
4. PHOTOCOPY OF ROUNDTRIP TICKET OR TRAVEL ITINERARY. In the event the tourist does not have a photocopy of their ticket, he/she shall show a ticket stating his/her return to the United States or to a third country. This information will be recorded in the sworn statement for visa application form.
5. ECONOMIC SOLVENCY. Credit card or equivalent, which must be valid for the duration of the planned stay in Bolivia. In the event the tourist does not have either a credit card or an invitation letter, he/she must be in possession of at least US$50 per day for the length of the anticipated stay in Bolivia.
6. CASH PAYMENT. The US$135 visa fee payment shall be made in cash. No credit or debit cards will be accepted.
7. INTERNATIONAL YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CERTIFICATE. In case the U.S. citizen does not have an international yellow fever vaccination certificate, he/she must sign an affidavit exempting the Bolivian state from any liability in case of yellow fever contagion within the Bolivian territory. This provision shall apply until further notice.
Volunteers coming into our program are always asking about visa requirements. For most western countries you can get a 90 day visa once in Bolivia but for US citizens the situation is a bit different. Below is the information provided to us by the Bolivian Embassy. You can either do the paperwork in the US at the nearest Bolivian Embassy or bring it all and pay the fee in the airport once you land in Bolivia. It is just about paperwork so read on....
Tourist Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens
1. The sworn statement for visa application form
2. A passport valid for six months
3. Hotel reservation or invitation letter
4. Photocopy of roundtrip ticket or travel itinerary
5. Proof of economic solvency
6. Payment of $135 visa issuance fee
7. International yellow fever vaccination certificate
CONFUSED??? A FEW MORE DETAILS
1. THE SWORN STATEMENT FOR VISA APPLICATION FORM . If the tourist does not already have the application form, he/she will be able to obtain one at each immigration checkpoint.
2. VALID PASSPORT. The passport must have a validity of not less than 6 months.
3. HOTEL RESERVATION. In case the tourist is unsure about which hotel he/she will stay at, the immigration officers will provide the tourist with a list of hotels to choose from, according to the tourist's travel budget. A tourist who arrives in the country bearing a letter of invitation shall submit such letter to the immigration officer.
4. PHOTOCOPY OF ROUNDTRIP TICKET OR TRAVEL ITINERARY. In the event the tourist does not have a photocopy of their ticket, he/she shall show a ticket stating his/her return to the United States or to a third country. This information will be recorded in the sworn statement for visa application form.
5. ECONOMIC SOLVENCY. Credit card or equivalent, which must be valid for the duration of the planned stay in Bolivia. In the event the tourist does not have either a credit card or an invitation letter, he/she must be in possession of at least US$50 per day for the length of the anticipated stay in Bolivia.
6. CASH PAYMENT. The US$135 visa fee payment shall be made in cash. No credit or debit cards will be accepted.
7. INTERNATIONAL YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CERTIFICATE. In case the U.S. citizen does not have an international yellow fever vaccination certificate, he/she must sign an affidavit exempting the Bolivian state from any liability in case of yellow fever contagion within the Bolivian territory. This provision shall apply until further notice.
Monday, 21 July 2008
College Courses Summer 2008
We have busy during the month of June with visits from both Rutgers University and Colorado College.
Beyond Development: Andean Social Movements and Their Struggle for Autonomy was the title of Colorado College's 4 week course in Bolivia. The goal of the course was to get students to think critically about the effects of neoliberal policies and the rise of "left" governme
nts in the Andean Region. We visited women organizations, artist cooperatives, student lead social movements and environmental activitists. In an attempt to explore and understand the radical critiques of "western development". The group of 12 studetns left Bolivia with a deeper understand of the country and with, we hope, a new perspective on the United States.
nts in the Andean Region. We visited women organizations, artist cooperatives, student lead social movements and environmental activitists. In an attempt to explore and understand the radical critiques of "western development". The group of 12 studetns left Bolivia with a deeper understand of the country and with, we hope, a new perspective on the United States.Rutgers University students participated in a 6 week course called Law, Justice and Rights. This course combined lectures by various guest speakers with a serivce learning experience in the Zona Sur of Cochabamba. All 13 students lived with Bolivian host families as well as traveling as a group to La Paz, Chapare and Toro Toro.
We hope that both groups found their time in Bolivia worthwhile and Volunteer Bolivia looks forward to working with both universities in the future.
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