CEDASOL

Volunteer/ Internship requirements:

• Beginner Spanish
• Motivated and eager to learn
• Interest in environmental issues, renewable energies, sustainable development
• Willingness to participate in field trips to rural communities
• Good social skills, team player
• A minimum commitment period of two months

Background:
CEDASOL defines technology as the usage of ideas, energy, and resources to solve problems and create social change. The organization was founded on the belief, therefore, that alternative technology is necessary for improving the quality of life for Bolivians. Bolivia has the highest infant mortality rate in the Western hemisphere, which is largely due to the lack of sufficient living conditions. Women and children are slaves to finding fuel with which to cook and typically use firewood and manure indoors without proper ventilation. This results in severe health problems such as respiratory difficulties, cataracts, lung cancer, malnutrition, and monoxide in the blood stream of pregnant women.

The installation of ecological kitchens has shown an 80% savings on fuel. Furthermore, the environmentally friendly kitchens reduce the time of time spent on cooking, which allows participants the time to establish micro-enterprises or engage in other significant activities.

Objectives:
The main goal of CEDASOL is to reach out to rural communities via programs of social and economic development, so as to enhance lives by way of renewable resources.  By designing and implementing micro-enterprises, CEDASOL has the ability to improve the economic conditions of participants in rural communities, which are the poorest communities in Bolivia.  The organization holds seminars and weekend courses to educate rural communities about the importance of sustainable development focusing especially on women and children who are typically left out of the education process. CEDASOL networks with local, national, and international organizations in order to strengthen their own programs while developing mutual cooperation. In addition, technological assistance is offered to the communities in need.

Who does CEDASOL help?
CEDASOL helps some of the poorest citizens of Bolivia, those living in rural communities with little resources.

Working Conditions:
The main office is located on a quiet street across the river in the northern zone of Cochabamba. Volunteers will spend the majority of their time there, but will also be required to make field trips with the CEDASOL team to rural communities around Bolivia.

CEDASOL Programs:
Interns may participate in any of the following programs:

Ecological kitchens:
The goal of this program is to eliminate carbon dioxide in rural homes by installing ecological kitchens. Solar energy is a renewable resource with no cost, which permits the processing of food without the loss of nutrients. The development of solar kitchens, therefore, can help combat global problems such hunger, malnutrition, and mortality from causes rooted in contamination.

There are five different types of ecological kitchens, and when implemented, they can help families save up to 80% on fuel costs. The kitchens use a form of energy that is free, unlimited, and non-polluting, thus reducing health risks and also saving the time it takes to collect firewood.  It is also important to note that eco-kitchens, and the use of alternative energy, protects the rural communities from the threat of deforestation.

PROALDE:
This is a program which focuses on creating micro-enterprises that can produce dehydrated goods. PROALDE was created to strengthen regional industry through the transferal of technologies and knowledge, along with the promotion of environmentally friendly practices. PROALDE incorporates social values into its structure by having developed communal micro-enterprises that strive toward improving the lives of both producers and workers.

The Education and Training Center:
The center was set up to provide the technical assistance and training programs for the equipment used in the aforementioned programs. It also provides seminars, talks, and workshops on renewable energies, related technologies, and micro-enterprises.

Program supervisor:
Mr. David Whitfield V