Volunteer in Bolivia as a Journalist

Working with Locals is an Ideal Way to Get to Know the Culture

By Aidan Doyle

Working as a volunteer for a newspaper is a great way to learn about a country. I spent two months as a journalist at the Llama Express, a free monthly English language newspaper based in La Paz, Bolivia.

I organized the placement through i-to-i, a company that specializes in volunteer work around the world. Although the work is volunteer you have to pay a fee. My 12-week program, including a home-stay and language lessons, cost $2,825. I normally would not have paid such a large fee to volunteer, but whereas teaching and conservation work are readily available in Latin America, journalism opportunities are less so. And this was the only way to work for the Llama Express—a popular and unique opportunity.

The newspaper selects a range of volunteers, from beginners who have just finished high school to more experienced writers. There are usually three new volunteers a month, and the placement lasts for three months. It offers much flexibility, with no set office hours apart from a weekly meeting to discuss articles. As the newspaper is printed only once a month, there is little pressure to meet article deadlines.

The paper covers a wide range of topics, and I found interviewing people was an excellent way to learn about Bolivian culture in a way that most tourists do not. I visited the president of Bolivia's main animal welfare organization, interviewed a driving instructor about driving in Bolivia (a country that is said to have the dangerous roads in the Americas), and joined in a training session at La Paz's ninjitsu school to learn about the impact of this martial arts on students' lives. One of the other journalists with whom I worked went to interview a celebrity TV chef about what it was like working in Bolivia's television industry. Much to her surprise she found herself invited onto the show as a guest chef.

As the Llama Express is aimed at tourists, volunteers are also encouraged to travel and write about their experiences.

The i-to-i placement brochure recommends that volunteers speak some Spanish, and it certainly is helpful. While some of the other volunteers got by with minimal language skills, I found that most of my interviews were done in Spanish.

Although the Llama Express produces a top-quality paper and has high standards, it is a very low budget affair run out of the editor’s apartment. As a non-profit organization, its main goal is to encourage tourism in Bolivia.

For those interested in aspects of publishing other than editing and writing, there are positions for advertising and fundraising events. While I worked there, some of the other volunteers organized a fun 70s disco night.

Another way to contribute is by taking photos. All writers are asked to submit photos with their articles. I was thrilled to have two of mine published on the paper’s front page.

Another part of the placement involves helping to distribute the paper, especially if you're traveling outside La Paz. Although lugging the papers on one’s travels is not much fun, it gives you an opportunity to talk to locals.

To find out more about i-to-i, visit www.i-to-i.com or send e-mail to info@i-to-i.com. You can learn more about the Llama Express program by searching for programs in Bolivia on their redesigned site .

AIDAN DOYLE is an Australian writer, traveler, and computer programmer. He has funded his many trips by working as a computer games and web site programmer. His articles have appeared in Salon, Pacific News, and Bootsnall.