By Michelle Tribe | Board Director
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.
By Lydia Hill | Project Leader
By Lydia Hill | Project Leader
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