About Us

Who we are

The Help Bolivia Foundation was founded by Matt and Lydia Hill following a trip to Bolivia in March 2018. The foundation was incorporated in Alberta, Canada on May 22, 2018, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Help Bolivia also employs one Employee in Bolivia. Volunteers in Canada assist us with fundraising and events.

Recognizing the immense needs of the Bolivian people living in extreme poverty, particularly the children, Help Bolivia is focusing its efforts on alleviating this poverty by providing programs that support the nutritional and educational needs of underprivileged children, as well as training programs for underprivileged women and youth.

Board of Directors

Matt Hill

Matt is a Founder and the President of HELP Bolivia Foundation, and has many years of project management experience and a passion for landscape photography. While raising three children with Lydia, he volunteered with 1st Airdrie Beaver Scouts, coached in the local children’s soccer league, and helped the local food bank. A trip to Bolivia in 2018 sparked a passion to do something for the children and families of El Alto to help them realize their potential and overcome challenges they face in Bolivia today.

Lydia Hill

Lydia is a Founder and the Secretary of HELP Bolivia Foundation. She has been involved in charity work and non-profits since 1997, has sat on several charity boards helping children in developing nations, and was an active volunteer with UNICEF for 17 years. Lydia’s interest in Bolivia started with a research paper about Bolivia in the late 1990s. Soon after she and Matt began sponsoring Bolivian children, and helping Bolivian women entrepreneurs with micro loans. Lydia works in the specialized area of Aboriginal law on behalf of First Nations, and is very familiar with the social issues that are found in marginalized communities.

Heidi Hill

Heidi is a recent business graduate of Bow Valley College, and joined the Board of Directors in February 2019. Ever since she was a child she has been volunteering and fundraising for various organizations, including UNICEF, the Salvation Army, the Airdrie Food Bank, and Tails to Tell Animal Rescue. At 17 she organized a cancer head-shaving fundraising campaign for Kids Care Cancer and Angel Hair for Kids. With a passion for making a difference in this world, Heidi is excited to be a part of HELP Bolivia, and looks forward to working with the team to find the best way to make the biggest impact for a group of kids.

Louise Lawrence

Loui holds a degree in Marketing, and is pleased to bring her knowledge, skills, and fabulous ideas to HELP Bolivia Foundation. She has sponsored girls in South America for almost 20 years, and is excited about making a difference in the lives of the children at the Tahuantinsuyo Community Centre. For almost 5 years Loui lived part time in the Yucatan. She now calls Ottawa home, and works as a corporate trainer and content creator.

Bob Laws

Bob is a writer and blogger who volunteers as a writing mentor for developmentally challenged adults as part of the Long Table Creative, and works at events for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, often as a photographer. He has experience on the boards of non-profit and charitable organizations including the Alexandra Writers and Silver Springs Community Association. But, he’s keen to become involved outside of Canada and is excited about the opportunity HELP Bolivia offers to children in need.

Tammy Ovalle

Tammy’s family is from Guatemala, and she is fluent in Spanish. During her years in Guatemala her heart always went to less fortunate children. She tried helping different organizations with the opportunities that came her way. She very much enjoyed helping in building projects and feeding school children. They were big learning opportunities and she is happy to contribute to the Board of HELP Bolivia. She has a B.A. Organizational Communications from the University of West Florida and Human Resource Management Certification from the University of Calgary.

Jenifer Siebrasse, CA/CPA

Jenifer is the Treasurer of HELP Bolivia Foundation. She joined the Board in March 2019.

Jenifer believes that those of us who are lucky enough to have been born into the luxury of the western world owe a helping hand to those less fortunate. She believes that helping others, in whatever way, enhances our own lives. She has been involved in volunteer work for two decades.

Education is the way out! Children can't learn without food. It is a simple equation, food equals learning equals a way out of poverty for the entire family.

Volunteers

Sabrina

Sabrina is an educator who feels strongly that all children, regardless of background or ability, deserve the right to a quality education. Previously, she has worked with refugees, helping to resettle them and provide access to post-secondary education. She is excited to be involved with HELP Bolivia because she knows that this organization is making a direct impact in the lives of the kids who need it the most.

Sabrina began volunteering with HELP Bolivia Foundation in February 2019.