*THIS TEAM HAS BEEN FILLED*

(Occasionally, minor adjustments need to be made to these dates based on the best travel options available at the time flight arrangements are made.)  

Team Size:  The Bolivia Youth Venture team is limited to six participants.

Service and Learning Components:  You will be hosted by the Mennonite churches in Santa Cruz.  Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Boliviana (IEMB) includes eight congregations, three in the city of Santa Cruz and five in rural areas just outside of Santa Cruz.  In 2006, IEMB began the Samuelito Day Care Center as an outreach serving the neighborhood of the Esmirna congregation in the city of Santa Cruz.  With the help of previous Youth Venture teams, they have been able to build a new day care center and now serve more than 75 children from the neighborhood, ages 6 months to 6 years.  You will work alongside members of the church in this ministry by assisting teachers in the classrooms; helping with special activities; and doing construction, maintenance or cleaning at the day care.  Other work may include assisting churches in rural communities outside of Santa Cruz with youth activities and/or church maintenance.

During the first few days and on the weekends, you will visit cultural sites around Santa Cruz, and worship with local Mennonite churches.  Evenings are spent relaxing or interacting with Bolivian Mennonite youth.  Time will also be spent in reflection on your experiences and their impact on your faith.

Housing Facilities:  You will live with Bolivian Mennonite host families.

Travel to Location: You will meet your team for orientation in either Miami or Chicago on June 11.  You will need to make your own travel arrangements to the departure city—details will be available later.  Youth Venture will make your travel arrangements from Miami/Chicago to Santa Cruz.  The team will leave for Bolivia on June 12 and arrive there June 13.

If you do not have a passport, you can download an application at www.travel.state.gov/passport/forms.html.  Please allow ample time for passport processing.  Visas are also required for travel to Bolivia, but the Youth Venture office will assist you in obtaining those.

Cost:  Trip cost is $1,785 and includes international travel, visa costs, meals and lodging from the time of your orientation on June 11 through your return to the United States on July 3.  Trip cost does not include travel to Chicago/Miami, passport, or personal spending money.  Trip costs are subject to change in the event of significant airline price increases.

Español Únete y sirve junto a los menonitas bolivianos. Ayuda en el centro de cuidado

infantil Samuelito, con programas para jóvenes y en iglesias rurales de Santa Cruz. 

Application deadline:  April 1, 2012