Five Things That Stood Out While Visiting Bolivia
For more than 30 years, I have visited Children Incorporated programs around the world, and each trip teaches me something new. This year’s visit to Bolivia reminded me just how resilient children and families can be.
Every visit to our international programs reminds me why Children Incorporated’s work matters.
Recently, I traveled throughout Bolivia to visit our partner schools and child care centers, meet with our volunteer coordinators, and spend time with the children and families we serve. While every community is unique, several themes stood out everywhere I went.
Here are five observations I’ll carry with me from this trip.
1. Families Are Working Harder Than Ever, But Life Has Become More Expensive
Wherever we traveled, one conversation kept coming up: the cost of everyday life has risen dramatically. Food, transportation, clothing, and school supplies all cost more than they did just a few years ago, while many families’ incomes have remained the same. Parents are working hard, but many still struggle to keep up with rising expenses.
It is still a real world issue, in some locations children must leave school at young ages to assist their parents in bringing in income. That’s one reason sponsorship is so important. It helps ease financial pressure and allows families to keep their children in school despite difficult circumstances.
2. Education Is Still Every Parent’s Greatest Hope
Whether I was visiting a preschool in Santa Cruz or a secondary school near Sucre, I heard the same dream from parents. They want their children to receive an education. Many families make tremendous sacrifices so their children can attend school because they know education creates opportunities that poverty cannot.
What impressed me most was seeing schools that not only provide traditional classroom learning but also vocational training in agriculture, computer science, robotics, garment making, and other practical skills that prepare students for future careers.
3. Sponsorship Does More Than Pay for School
When people think about child sponsorship, they often imagine school supplies or tuition; those things are certainly important. But, throughout Bolivia I saw sponsorship helping children receive nutritious food, uniforms, shoes, clothing, tutoring, and other assistance that allows them to stay healthy and continue learning.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.
A new pair of shoes. A bag of groceries. Even a new bed. These tangible items mean the difference between growth or giving up.
4. Our Local volunteer Coordinators Know Every Family
One of the greatest strengths of Children Incorporated is something many sponsors never get to see, our volunteer coordinators. They voluntarily administer our program, allowing more of every donation to reach the children. Throughout Bolivia I met dedicated educators, sisters, and community leaders who know the children and families personally. They spoke of the children not as numbers, but by name, sharing stories of families navigating hardship, of small victories, of urgent needs. They know where help is most needed and how to stretch each sponsorship dollar so that it truly changes a child’s daily life.
Their compassion, knowledge, and commitment allows our program to serve children so effectively. Even when travel was disrupted by severe weather or political demonstrations, coordinators continued communicating and caring for the children in their communities.
5. Hope Is Everywhere
Despite the challenges families face, what I’ll remember most isn’t the hardship. It’s the hope.
I saw children excited to learn, teachers committed to helping every student succeed, and parents determined to give their children opportunities they never had themselves.
I visited homes built years ago with Children Incorporated’s support that are still providing families with stability today. I met former sponsored children who have graduated from school, found employment, and built brighter futures for themselves. Those moments are powerful reminders that sponsorship creates lasting change.
Every trip reinforces something I have believed for many years: sponsorship is more than financial assistance, it is an investment in a child’s future.
Thank you to every sponsor who makes these visits possible and, more importantly, makes these stories possible. Because of your generosity, children across Bolivia have the opportunity to learn, grow, and look toward tomorrow with hope.
-Luis Bourdet
International Programs Director
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Join Us in Making a Difference
These stories reveal just a glimpse of your support’s impact. Will you help us write the next story?
You can sponsor a child in one of three ways:
- call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members
- email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org
- go online to our sponsorship portal and search for a child that is available for sponsorship.