Rescuing children from a life on the streets

We, here at Kaya Children, would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support in helping us make a difference in Bolivia, one child at a time. Through the funds raised through the Global Giving project, we've been able to continue the important work in Bolivia.

Several key highlights over the past few months: This summer we created a real library for the children on campus. We had carpet and bookshelves installed, added some warm Bolivian decor, and purchased several comfy bean bag chairs. Being able to display all of our books and having a comfortable place for the kids to read has made a huge difference. The kids keep stopping by during recess and free time to pick out books, settle into a bean bag chair, and read!

A dental team from Highrock Church in Arlington, MA, spent the first week of July in Bolivia working to clean teeth, fill cavities, and overall to improve the smiles of many boys and girls at Kaya. While the team witnessed how a simple dental procedure could boost the confidence of a young boy, they experienced so much more.

When our Kaya Center opened in February of 2009 with the start of the Bolivian school year, we were happily located in a large rental house that we thought would accommodate us for at least two years. When the end of the school year came and the house was bursting with new kids, it was clear that another year in that space was not in the cards. Our search for a larger space yielded an incredible find: an abandoned school campus in just the right location with an abundance of space and cheap rent to boot! While this space was a dream find, it wasn't exactly without its issues. It was quite deteriorated and needed a lot of TLC. Since we moved in this past February, weíve been busy painting, repairing, and doing everything possible to make the space look and feel inviting. This past week, we added a critical piece: a beautiful mural alongside the sports court.

April 12th, is Bolivia’s National Day of the Child, a day dedicated to celebrating their children and to bringing awareness to the situation and needs of the children. National Day of the Child has been celebrated in Bolivia since 1955, after the drafting of a joint Universal Declaration on the Rights of Children by the Organization of American States and the United Nations Children’s Fund to establish the rights of children and how those rights should be protected.

Bolivia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Latin America, with about 60% living below the poverty line. An estimated 800,000 children work to support their families due to economic hardships, with some children beginning to work even at the early age of 5 years old. There are over 100 million street children in the world and over 2500 in Bolivia alone.

National Day of the Child reminds us that these children are still children. We, here at Kaya Children, would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support in helping us renew a sense of childhood in these children and to help provide them for a better tomorrow!

Through the funds raised through the Global Giving project, we've been able to continue the important work in Bolivia. Two key highlights over the past few months:

1. Four Kaya graduates have begun their post secondary education. Two are in college prep courses, one is awaiting the results of his entrance exams, and one has begun chef classes. 2. The new building has been updated, inaugurated and is in use. Ground floor is offices and first floor is classrooms. Staff has done basic updates/repairs. They had an open house on April 12th and presented some service projects to local churches to have local churches help with the remaining updates.