Volunteering Activities
What We Need
Volunteering in our wildlife centres is hard work. However it is also incredibly rewarding, unique and sure to be a memorable experience.
We work with big cats, small cats, monkeys, birds and anything else which needs our help.
When & Who
We will post updates on the ‘general information’ volunteering page of our website (subheading ‘current availability’) if we are either full up, or are desperate for volunteers at any particular one of our three Centres. However, if there are no updates on this page then we have availability at all three Centres, so please keep an eye on this.
What we Provide
At Machia Sanctuary only housing, tea, coffee and lunch is included. There are kitchen facilities and a local town within walking distance.
At Ambue Ari Sanctuary and Jacj Cuisi Sanctuary, housing and full board are provided.
We provide some meals.
Our Fees
Machia Sanctuary:
15-night package 2,250 Bs.
16th and subsequent nights 100 Bs. per night
30-night package 3,650 Bs.
31st and subsequent nights 80 Bs. per night
Ambue Ari Sanctuary:
15-night package 2,570 Bs.
16th and subsequent nights 125 Bs. per night
30-night package 4,070 Bs.
31st and subsequent nights 80 Bs. per night
Jacj Cuisi Sanctuary:
6-night Package 1,210 Bs.
7th and subsequent nights 155 Bs. per night
15-night Package 2,570 Bs.
16th and subsequent nights 120 Bs. per night
30-night Package 3,870 Bs.
31st and subsequent nights 80 Bs. per night
*The Packages include a 300 Bs security deposit
*CIWY uses an exchange rate of 6.90 Bs for $1 USD
Contact Person
Other Ways to Help
We need volunteers to translate documents from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English. This might be easy language, but also more technical language could be needed.
For more information about our updated wishlist contact us.
Additional Info about Us
For more than 20 years CIWY has cared for rescued wildlife, given disadvantaged youth a sense of purpose through involvement with wildlife care, and educated the Bolivian public to respect wildlife. Our largest focus continues to be aiding animals affected by the animal trade, although in more recent years we have focused more of our attention on preventing the illegal animal trade. As Bolivia’s leading organization in wildlife rights and care, we hope to make drastic changes in our country’s view of wild animals and make strides in ending a cruel trade that removes them from their natural homes.
A Life Changing Experience For Volunteers and Animals
This was my first experience of South America and also Volunteering. The first day consisted of training and reading manuals about the history of each animal. Safety training was also explained for each of the animals. We weren’t allowed to interact with any animals that we weren’t assigned to. This was to ensure that only trained volunteers would help their specific animals. CIWY provides accommodation although basic it has everything you need including toilets, showers and beds. My tasks included preparing food and enrichment throughout the day and to ensure the animals were properly cared for. At CIWY the animals always come first and this is a great outlook as the main goal is to achieve happiness for the animals. All the animals I met were well looked after and safety of both volunteers and animals was always ensured. We were given lunch that was cooked fresh daily. The food was always delicious and people were always going up for more. Breakfast and Dinner were available to purchase onsite for a small fee and all cooked fresh. In the evenings volunteers would play volleyball, we also played football against a local team and went out for meals as a group. I am looking to go back next year and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Social Impact - 5
Safety - 5
Support - 5
Freetime activities - 5
Value - 5"