Feed and educate children in El Alto, Bolivia

Between August and January, children and youth in El Alto moved through the school term and holiday period with reliable meals, safe spaces to learn, and hands-on skills training that strengthened both confidence and possibility. These programs did more than respond to immediate needs — they created continuity in lives often shaped by uncertainty, and they continue to do so as a new school year begins.

Nutrition that helped children arrive ready to learn

Throughout this period, the kitchens at the Juk’at Juk’ata Centre (JJC) and Casa Kusisiña remained constant points of care.

At Casa Kusisiña, Cecilia and her team prepared 20 healthy lunches and 40 nutritious snacks every day, five days a week, funded by HBF donors. For many children, this was the most substantial meal they received. That consistency became especially important during the school break, when household income was stretched and food insecurity intensified.

At the JJC, meals also created space for connection. During a parents’ gathering, food was shared by children and caregivers together — turning the Centre into a place not only for learning, but for community support. In homes where time and resources for schoolwork are limited, this kind of steady, welcoming environment continues to be essential.

Joy, routine, and the freedom to simply be children

Winter break (July and August) in El Alto can be a period of isolation for many children. Instead, the Centre stayed active.

Days were filled with relay races on the court, origami workshops, karaoke, and traditional games like spinning tops. These moments were simple and joyful, but they carried real weight: they created routine, strengthened friendships, and allowed children to experience safety and belonging.

That sense of structure continued through the school term with Creative Fridays. Storytelling, outdoor games, crafts, and paper folding gave children regular opportunities to imagine, move, and create — experiences that support emotional wellbeing as much as academic growth.

La Higuera Community Bakery: a milestone for bakers

This period marked a turning point at the La Higuera Community Bakery.

The second cohort of pastry and bakery students completed their training and graduated with certificates, a milestone celebrated by families and the wider community. For these students, the certificate represented far more than a course completion — it marked the beginning of new economic possibilities and the confidence that comes with mastering a skill.

The program also expanded to include dedicated baking sessions for teens. They learned to prepare bread, cookies, and empanadas while practicing punctuality, teamwork, and shared responsibility.

Younger children from the JJC joined in as well, carefully rolling dough, shaping cookies, and watching their work come out of the oven. In these moments, the bakery functioned as a classroom, a workshop, and a source of pride.

As the program grows, the next phase will require sustained support — from ingredients and instruction to the hiring of a professional baking teacher — so that more youth can follow the same path to graduation.

Casa Kusisiña: a new oven and new possibilities

At Espacio Ecopedagógico Casa Kusisiña, El Alto – an HBF partner organization, daily life in the kitchen changed with the arrival of a new oven.

Children and staff baked quinoa cookies together for the first time, learning to measure, mix, and share responsibilities as a team. What looked like a simple baking activity quickly became something more: a lesson in cooperation, patience, and pride in creating something with their own hands.

The oven is now central to the nutrition program, where 20 healthy lunches and 40 snacks are prepared each day. As food prices continue to rise, the ability to cook and bake on site is helping the Centre maintain consistent, nutritious meals for the children who rely on them.

A Christmas celebration that went ahead against the odds

In December, Bolivia experienced sudden disruption when fuel subsidies were removed and transportation blockades spread across El Alto and La Paz.

Despite this, the Christmas celebration at the JJC took place.

Staff walked for hours to reach the Centre. Children travelled on foot as well. Food and supplies were coordinated and delivered through blocked routes. Inside the Centre, the day unfolded as planned: traditional dances, a Christmas play, music, and a shared meal that included foods many children were tasting for the first time.

Each child also received warm winter clothing — a practical support that continues to matter through the cold season.

At a time when daily life outside felt uncertain, the Centre remained steady.

January: listening to educators and preparing for what comes next

In January, the program team met with educators in El Alto to plan for the new school year and to understand what children would need in the months ahead.

Teachers identified practical priorities:

• basic classroom supplies
• reusable learning tools
• tablets to support older teens with offline and online educational content

These conversations reflected the realities many families face — single-parent households, grandparents raising children, and caregivers working long hours. In this context, the Centre’s role as a place of daily academic reinforcement and encouragement is not temporary support; it is a foundation children continue to rely on.

Two children whose progress shows what sustained support makes possible

Jesús (13)
At the Centre, Jesús found structure and adults who listened to him. Through sports and group activities, he channelled his energy into teamwork and discovered a passion for football. With steady academic reinforcement, his reading and math improved. Over time, he began to see himself differently — as a leader among younger children and as someone who could one day coach others.

Belinda (12)
After losing her mother and falling behind in school while living in a remote rural area, Belinda arrived in El Alto with significant learning gaps. Regular educational support at the Centre helped her rebuild her reading skills step by step. Just as important, she gained confidence. Today, she speaks about her future with optimism and a growing sense of her own ability.

Their progress continues — and so does the need for consistent academic support for all the children at JJC.

Looking ahead

The past six months showed what becomes possible when nutrition, education, and skills training are sustained together.

They also made clear what is still required:

• daily meals for children who continue to face food insecurity
• classroom materials and learning tools for the new school year
• expansion of the bakery program so more youth can graduate with employable skills
• ongoing safe spaces where children can learn, play, and be supported.

These are not short-term interventions. They are long-term commitments that allow children to move forward with stability and dignity.

Smiles, Studies, and Shared Meals in Bolivia

At the Juk’at Juk’ata Centre (JJC) and Casa Kusisiña in El Alto, Bolivia, the past few months have been filled with creativity, learning, and community — all made possible thanks to your generosity.

Creative Fridays at the JJC

This October, our “Creative Friday” sessions have been in full swing, giving children a dedicated time each week to explore, connect, and simply enjoy being kids. One week they dove into storytelling, imagining magical new worlds and even creating stories of their own. Another week was all about outdoor play — laughter echoed as they ran, kicked balls, and shared games. Most recently, they discovered the joy of crafts and origami, letting their imaginations unfold in colour.

These joyful sessions are more than just play — they’re helping children build resilience, confidence, and creativity. Thank you for creating safe, inspiring spaces where children can feel seen, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Celebrating Students’ Day

In September, Help Bolivia Foundation and Casa Kusisiña came together to celebrate Students’ Day with a special gathering for the children and their families. It was a joyful afternoon of games, music, and shared laughter — capped off with a delicious cake that brought smiles all around.

Your support helps Casa Kusisiña continue to deliver essential services to children with special needs — from speech therapy and physical support to autism programs and learning assistance. In a city of one million, Casa Kusisiña remains the only centre of its kind. Your generosity ensures these children are not forgotten and have the care and attention they deserve.

Community, Nutrition, and Shared Meals

At both Centres, nutritious meals continue to be at the heart of daily life. Professional cooks, supported by dedicated parent volunteers, prepare wholesome food that fuels children’s bodies and minds. These meals are often the only hot, balanced food some children receive all day — and they make a world of difference.

Recently, the JJC hosted a parents’ meeting where families and children shared a meal together, creating community and connection around the table. Moments like these remind us that the JJC is not only a place of learning but a hub of belonging and hope.

Skills for the Future: The La Higuera Community Bakery

The La Higuera Community Bakery is growing — literally! We recently added baking sessions just for teens. They’ve been learning to bake cookies and buns, gaining not only culinary skills but also confidence and teamwork experience. These practical workshops help empower youth with skills they can carry into adulthood, opening doors to new opportunities for the future.

Spotlight: Meet Elias

Seven-year-old Elias Alejandro Fernandez Mamani is a cheerful and affectionate child from El Alto. His father works as a miner and is often away for long periods, while his mother earns an irregular income selling goods at local markets.

Elias is playful, sociable, and creative. He loves painting, dancing, and pretending to be superheroes with his brother Carlos. Although he initially struggled with reading and math, with support from his teachers and the program’s reinforcement sessions, Elias is now proudly copying short texts and solving subtraction problems. His bright smile and determination remind us why these programs matter — every child deserves the chance to learn and dream on a full stomach.

Spotlight: Meet Jesús

Thirteen-year-old Jesús E. Huajllire Huanca has faced many challenges at home, including an absent father and long hours without supervision while his mother works. Despite this, Jesús has become a natural leader among his peers, caring deeply for his younger brother and helping others at the centre.

Through the JJC’s workshops, Jesús found a safe space — and a passion for football. He’s learned discipline, teamwork, and confidence, both on the field and in his studies. His dream now is to become a football coach, teaching other children that with dedication and support, they too can succeed.

Looking Ahead

Thanks to donors like you, hundreds of children in El Alto have access to nutritious meals, quality learning support, and spaces filled with creativity and care.

We’ve come a long way — from expanding Casa Kusisiña’s programs to launching new opportunities for teens — but there’s still more to do. Casa Kusisiña is run mostly by volunteers and dreams of hiring full-time staff to reach more children currently on the waiting list.

Together, we can keep filling plates, minds, and hearts.
Thank you for helping Bolivian children grow, learn, and thrive.