Our History

Niños con Valor was founded in Cochabamba, Bolivia in 2005 by Endel Liias, a volunteer with the South American Mission Society. After his year-long mission spent working at a boys' home for abandoned children, street children and drug-addicts, he was moved to act on behalf of these children who in so many ways received the messages that they were unwanted and unworthy. Wanting to ensure that support could be provided on a long-term basis, the process of starting a Bolivian non-profit foundation began in August of 2005. This goal was largely realized through the support of Endel’s home church, Christ Church of Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA.

Shortly thereafter, a fully Bolivian board of directors was established, and we began forming our vision and mission for the future. Within the first two months, the foundation was already seeing remarkable results in the first children's home we assisted through the provision of improved nutrition, medical care and full-time workers.

As we continued to grow in our support of existing programs, we were also presented with the opportunity to expand our services and begin directly overseeing a children’s home. In May 2006, Niños con Valor took administrative control of Corazón del Pastor (formerly Casa Petirrojo), a children’s home for girls. In partnership with the Swedish based non-profit organization, Vision 70-7, we have been able to revive this struggling home and create a loving stable home for abused, neglected, orphaned and abandoned girls ages 5-18.

Through partnerships and networking with other social service organizations, the foundation has seen the need to enlarge our vision to include children and youth living with HIV/AIDS. There are few services available to this population, and remaining true to our name, we see the need to provide a sense of value and purpose for these children and youths neglected by society. Bolivia is frequently listed as the poorest country in South America, and this reality puts its people at serious risk for HIV/AIDS quickly reaching crisis level. While there are several programs reaching out to the general population to educate about HIV/AIDS, it is unfortunately not reaching those most at risk for contracting the virus. Bolivia also lacks many essential services to those living with HIV/AIDS. We have designed an innovative multi-staged plan that aims to fill those gaps in services through prevention and community outreach programs, as well as a comprehensive residential village which we can foresee being used as a model throughout Bolivia and beyond.

The history of Niños con Valor continues to be written, as together with our supporters and partners from within Bolivia and abroad, we continue to seek the best road ahead in serving children here in the city of Cochabamba.