Where we serve

Bolivia is a landlocked country of approximately 9 million people located in the Andean region of South America. Due to numerous factors, including regular political upheavals, economic and ethnic tension, and lack of port access, Bolivia often finds itself ranked as the poorest country in South America. We are currently focusing our efforts in the province of Cochabamba and particularly in and around its capital city of Cochabamba. This is a beautiful city of over 900,000 people settled in a valley some 2,558 meters above sea level. Despite its near perfect year-round spring climate, this valley contains other realities that are not so perfect.

Who we serve

Thousands of children in Cochabamba do not live with families. Systemic poverty and oppression compounded with the resulting high percentages of alcoholism and domestic abuse have created cycles of abuse and abandonment within the disintegrating family structure. Because of abuse, abandonment, or loss of parents, these children find themselves on the streets or in one of the nearly 150, often crowded, sometimes illegal, children's homes scattered throughout the city.

Those on the streets frequently face further physical or sexual abuse from older or stronger street children, police, or those looking to take advantage of children whom have no means of recourse. The street girls quickly discover that their most reliable means of survival is to sell their bodies. Very often these street children, as young as six, turn to sniffing "clefa", a brand of cheap glue, to numb themselves from the reality they must face every day.