COVID-19 RESPONSE

Schools in Bolivia and our community centre closed on March 12th, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our programs have had to ‘pivot’, and had to be delivered in creative ways. Instead of a sit down lunch program at the centre, families come once a month to pick up food that our team on the ground purchases and distributes with government authorization. This food is critical for the families, most of whom are Daily Wagers; since the lockdown, they have been unable to work or bring in any income. 

Our education and psychological support programs have been pushed online, with our educators and psychologist working hard to keep the children as supported and engaged as possible. Hazmat suits have been purchased for the staff to wear when they visit the students that have learning difficulties and no smartphones.  The psychologist has been working with the parents through WhatsApp to address cases of abuse and family violence, which have increased in the community during this lockdown.

In July 2020 the first batch of tablets were purchased and distributed to 5 families who had no prior online access, benefiting 19 children.  In September 2020 15 more tablets were purchased and distributed to the families.  Parents and children were trained how to use the educational apps, and they are extremely grateful to once again be connected and engaged.  In April 2021 more tablets were purchased thanks to a grant sent to Help Bolivia Foundation.  See our Tablet Fundraiser below to keep updated on this initiative. 

The Bolivian government announced that for the 2021 school year, urban students would do online learning only, including the children in our program.  When the school year started in February 2021, our centre was equipped with wifi, allowing the children to come for online classes with their tablets.  In March we authorized the first purchase of  desktop computers, which will provide the children with the ability to write and print their assignments.  We expect to be able to purchase additional desk top computers later this year.  THANK YOU to our donors and supporters for providing access to education for these children!