Here is where I tell you the reason I created this site! First in the interest of transparency, I should tell you that I am the manager of Jodanga Backpackers Hostel Santa Cruz – but this business is entirely separate from my endeavors to assist in the coordination of volunteers throughout various projects in the city. If you stay at Jodanga Hostel during your time in Santa Cruz you are supporting my cause (I gotta work for a living!) but if you choose not to I will still be there to support and/or coordinate your volunteering project while you are here.

I am a young Australian who worked too hard right after leaving school – then cracked up (so to speak, don’t take it too seriously) on my vacation in South America (supposed to be 3 months before heading to Canada to further the career). My 7 years experience has been as a finance and then marketing consultant for big companies and big brands, when I reached Bolivia, with just 2 weeks before I was supposed to “head back to the real word” the question hit me – Why? Why should I go and follow the same career followed by many in the rich western world? Why can’t I use my skills here? Why can’t I do something worthwhile for someone else in this country instead of furthering my own aims?

These are similar questions asked by many young people as they roam the globe in search of insight and greater knowledge and I feel lucky that I after 7 months living in Santa Cruz Bolivia I am finally able to begin etching an answer – hopefully its YES! You can!.

Enough of the D&M though – just by visiting this site and considering the opportunities to volunteer in Santa Cruz, you are helping me achieve my objective of helping people who need it more than ourselves! I congratulate your choice to volunteer and hope you take it on – not just as a great way to travel the globe but as a responsibility we have to our fellow mankind!!

I am available round the clock via email at lauren@jodanga.com or if you feel like a free live chat skype me: talesfromloz

PS – this is my first attempt at a website / blog all by myself so I welcome your pity and suggestions – please bear with me!

Chau

Loz