Orphanage Centre: Hogar Cristo Te Salva – Riberalta, Bolivia
Volunteers: Banova Viktoriia & Passerat Maya
Dates: 8 July – 8 August 2025
Introduction
From 8 July to 8 August, we had the privilege of volunteering at Hogar Cristo Te
Salva, an orphanage centre in Riberalta, Bolivia, through the organization
Sustainable Bolivia. This report aims to share our experience with future volunteers
and provide the organization with an overview of our work, challenges, and
reflections during this one-month stay.
About Riberalta & The orphanage
Riberalta is a small but lively city in the Bolivian Amazon region. While its traffic can
feel chaotic and local stories may sound intimidating at first, the community is warm,
open-minded, and eager to talk to newcomers. The climate is sunny and pleasant
almost every day — during our month there, it only “rained” twice, even while
neighboring cities experienced much more rain. Sun protection is essential, as the
heat can be intense.
Hogar Cristo Te Salva houses around 30 children aged between 2 and 17, plus one
young man of 21 with a disability. The orphanage’s mission is to guide the children in
faith and life lessons through the Bible, though they are open and respectful toward
people of all beliefs. During our time, we were the only volunteers, supported by a
small team of about five dedicated staff members.
Our role & Daily activities
We spent most of our time with the younger children, playing games, engaging in
creative activities, and helping with schoolwork. The older children had their own
duties during vacation and after the vacations ended they were at school in the
mornings, so afternoons were often spent assisting them with homework.
Some of our activities included:
● Making friendship-style bracelets with the children, inspired by ones we were
wearing ourselves.
● Drawing and art projects.
● Teaching basic French words, Spanish numbers, and the alphabet to
interested children.
● Building a cardboard robot — a surprisingly challenging project that turned
into great teamwork.
● Playing sports games with children like football.
● Accompany the children on an outing to go swimming in a lake.
Highlights & Achievements
The most rewarding part of our experience was creating bonds with the children,
learning to connect with their very different personalities. Teaching small lessons —
whether in French, Spanish, or through crafts — gave us a sense of purpose and joy.
One particularly memorable aspect was learning and using sign language to
communicate with a sweet girl who was deaf. The children even invented their own
unique gestures, making the experience playful and personal.
We received warm feedback from the staff, who made an effort to show us around,
involve us in daily life, and help us integrate into the centre’s community.
Challenges & Adaptation
Our biggest challenges were:
● Language barrier: We arrived with limited Spanish, but the children helped
us learn by drawing, using hand gestures, and patiently explaining new words.
● Food changes: Our stomachs took some time to adjust to the local diet.
Despite these, the kindness of the children and staff made adaptation easier and
turned challenges into opportunities to learn.
Advice for future volunteers
● Energy & Creativity: Bring plenty of ideas for games, crafts, and activities.
● Clothing: Lightweight, breathable clothes work best. Convertible hiking pants
(that can be shorts or long) are very practical. We also advise you to bring
hiking shoes for all types of activities, it’s much more comfortable than normal
trainers. Clothing is inexpensive locally if you need more.
● Transport: Traffic is chaotic — you can rent a motorcycle if you’re confident
riding, otherwise use moto-taxis or walk.
● Safety: Avoid bringing visible expensive jewelry. Go out with locals when
exploring unfamiliar areas.
● Food: Expect some adjustment time for your stomach in the first week.
● Mindset: Be flexible and patient. Take time to connect personally with the
children.
Personal Impact
This experience grounded us and made us reflect on the comfort and luxuries we
take for granted at home. We developed adaptability, teamwork, and non-verbal
communication skills, as well as an increased sense of cultural awareness and
empathy.
Conclusion & Thanks
Volunteering at Hogar Cristo Te Salva was a truly enriching experience. We are
deeply grateful to the staff who supported us and welcomed us into their community.
Their dedication and love for the children are inspiring, and we wish them the very
best in their ongoing mission.
Sending much love to everyone we met — thank you for making this project
unforgettable.
