Feed and educate children in El Alto, Bolivia

Help Bolivia Foundation | October 2026

Over the past several months, life in El Alto, Bolivia, has begun returning to more familiar routines. Following the political unrest, road blockades, and food shortages that disrupted daily life earlier this year, schools have reopened, transportation has improved, and markets are once again better stocked.

However, challenges remain. Rising food prices continue to stretch household budgets, particularly for families whose incomes are already uncertain. For the children and families supported by Help Bolivia Foundation, access to nutritious meals, educational support, and a caring community remains as important as ever.

Thanks to your generosity, our local partners have continued providing these essential services while also creating new opportunities for children, youth, and adults to learn and thrive.

Small Steps, Meaningful Progress

At the Juk'at Juk'ata Centre (JJC), 64 children and teenagers have benefited from nutritious meals, academic assistance, emotional support, and opportunities to develop friendships and confidence.

Behind these numbers are individual stories of growth and determination.

For 14-year-old Fernanda, the centre has helped her find her voice. Once extremely shy and reluctant to participate, she has gradually become more confident expressing herself, joining group activities, and building friendships.

Randy has also made encouraging progress. After experiencing significant challenges in his early childhood, he struggled academically and emotionally. With patient guidance and individualized educational support, he is now solving mathematics problems at his grade level and participating more confidently in activities.

And then there's Mateo, an energetic seven-year-old with an extraordinary enthusiasm for mathematics. Already tackling multiplication beyond his grade level, Mateo benefits from individualized support to strengthen his reading, writing, and organizational skills. His story is a reminder of how important it is to recognize every child's unique abilities and provide the encouragement they need to succeed.

These achievements may seem small, but they represent something significant: children developing the skills, confidence, and sense of belonging that will help them throughout their lives.

Casa Kusisiña Update

At Casa Kusisiña, in the Senkata neighbourhood of El Alto, children are also benefiting from new opportunities to learn and develop. A recently completed psychomotor activity room provides a dedicated space for activities that support physical coordination, learning, and development. New tablets are also being introduced into educational activities. These improvements complement the daily meals, educational support, and care that Cecilia and her team continue to provide despite challenging economic conditions.

New Opportunities at La Higuera Community Bakery

Another exciting development is taking place at La Higuera Community Bakery.

Originally established to provide baking skills training for mothers and young adults, La Higuera is increasingly becoming a centre for community learning and skills development.

In partnership with the PACHA QAMASA Alternative Education Centre, a new pastry training program is helping participants develop practical baking skills alongside knowledge of entrepreneurship, financial management, business planning, and customer relations.

Participants who successfully complete the program will receive certification recognized by the Bolivian government, helping open doors to employment and small business opportunities.

And the learning doesn't stop in the kitchen!

Responding to interests expressed by community members, La Higuera has also introduced pilot courses in robotics and radio broadcasting. These programs offer new opportunities to explore technology, develop creative skills, and discover interests that might otherwise remain out of reach.

What began as a community bakery is growing into something much more: a welcoming space where people of different ages can learn, connect, and imagine new possibilities for their futures.

Looking Ahead our partners in Bolivia are exploring additional opportunities for older students and young adults to continue their education, develop practical skills, and prepare for employment or further study. These efforts reflect our belief that supporting children means not only helping them succeed today, but also helping them discover the possibilities available to them tomorrow.

Your Support Makes This Possible

As we look toward the final months of 2026, we are encouraged by the progress we see every day.

The challenges facing families in El Alto haven't disappeared. The cost of food remains a concern, and many parents continue working long hours in informal or uncertain employment simply to provide for their children.

But thanks to supporters like you, children have a reliable place to turn for nourishment, encouragement, and educational support. Young people are gaining confidence, and community members are developing skills that may help them build greater economic independence.

Your generosity is helping create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom or the kitchen.

On behalf of the children, families, educators, and volunteers of Help Bolivia Foundation, thank you for continuing to believe in the potential of this community.

Together, we're helping children and families build brighter futures, one opportunity at a time.