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 In January the team at the Tahuantinsuyo Community Centre were busy making plans for the 2022 school year, which was set to be in person for the first time in 2 years! An assessment was taken of the repairs and maintenance needed at the building, and fundraising campaigns for this began. 

In February the first of the repairs and upgrades took place, just ahead of the return of the children! A new hood and vent were installed over the gas cooker in the kitchen making it safer for everyone. The children returned to school and the Centre this month, and life began to feel a bit back to normal. 

In March, French couple Remi & Sarah began volunteer work at the Centre, teaching the children English in a fun and captivating way. Although they have now returned to Europe, they are still very much in the hearts and thoughts of the children at the Centre. Remi and Sarah feel the same way about the kids!

In April, Help Bolivia held its 4th AGM. Board of Directors are: Matt Hill - President; Lydia Hill - Secretary; Bob Law - Vice President; Henry Wiens CPA, CA – Treasurer, Kristy Rouleau – Director, Paul DuBeau – Director, Ibukun Adewale – Director. In Bolivia the children were settling back into their routines with school and being at the Centre.

In May, work began at the Centre to increase the security of the premises. The surrounding walls were heightened with broken glass embedded at the top to deter would-be-thieves. Help Bolivia turned 4!

In June, another shipment of toothbrushes and other oral hygiene materials from The World Smiles Mission arrived and were distributed to the children and their families. In Airdrie, Help Bolivia Foundation held a Father’s Day Frisbee Golf Fundraiser which included facepainting, frisbee golf, prizes, and a visit from Allen the Alpaca!

In July, HBF Directors Matt, Lydia, and Bob (along with Bob’s wife Carol) traveled to Bolivia to see the kids! The trip included a day at Lake Titicaca with the children and their families, and the official signing of an agreement with in-country partner AHIEZER to commence a second program for children in Villa Ingenio!  The children and their families were very happy to see the Canadians, and several families invited the Canadians to visit their homes. 

In August, HBF held their 2nd annual Fitness Challenge where enthusiastic participants across Canada created & carried out fitness goals for themselves while raising money for the programs in Bolivia. The Challenge raised a whopping $5,230! Preparations also began in Villa Ingenio for the launch of the new program!

In September, thanks to a grant from Fig Tree Foundation, the sewing & entrepreneurship program began at Tahuantinsuyo. This program will run for 12 months and will teach vital, employable skills to 30 women and youth. In Villa Ingenio, the Saturday afternoon program launched with great success! 48 children ages 6 to 13 attend every Saturday. The final work on the outside perimeter walls at the Tahuantinsuyo Community Centre was completed, as well as electrical wiring upgrades inside. 

In October, Mathilde began volunteering at the Tahuantinsuyo Community Centre, teaching basic English to the older teens. The crochet class that was kicked off in July continued with great enthusiasm, with even the boys joining in to learn this fun and educational skill. 

In November schools closed early in Bolivia, but the programs in Tahuantinsuyo and Villa Ingenio continued. The children were happy to continue spending time together in the fun & safe havens created by the programs.  HBF was thrilled to receive notice of two grants from charitable foundations this month. The  Worldwide Education and Research Institute (WERI) provided a grant to support procurement of materials required for Villa Ingenio including sports equipment, games and arts and crafts materials. The Peterborough K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation also provided a grant to support HBF operations in Bolivia.

In December the programs wrapped up with Christmas Fiestas, plus a graduation ceremony at Villa Ingenio to celebrate the graduation of 48 children from the program. Summer break began, with many of the children returning to their rural villages to help with farming, and to visit family. The educators and staff are on a much needed break, but are also spending time planning and preparing for the new year. 

Help Bolivia Foundation is grateful to the donors that made these programs possible. Without you, we could not do what we do. Together we are making a difference in the lives of these children and their families. Thank you!