The Venezuela crisis has caused 5.4 million people to flee the country seeking food, work, and a better life. While the influx from Venezuela has caused tensions in host countries, it’s also brought out their hospitable spirit.
Why World Vision is in Bolivia
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, sponsors may experience delays in communication from their sponsored child. We are actively working to keep you updated as the situation changes.
One of the poorest and most underdeveloped Latin American countries, Bolivia faces declining economic growth while drug production and usage climb. In 2017, a national journalism award was given to a report on child sexual abuse—an important spotlight on a prevalent problem.
Protecting the most vulnerable is an ongoing issue. Bolivia has one of Latin America’s highest rates of gender violence, affecting women at home and in the workplace. Many children are threatened by exploitation from human trafficking and cyberbullying.
Your support is helping the most vulnerable children flourish. Child protection efforts are targeting the threat of trafficking with programs and laws focused on digital safety. As a result of health trainings for parents and caregivers, nine in 10 kids under 5 have received critical vaccinations. The rate of children under 5 with acute malnutrition has dropped to 5 percent throughout the country. And the percentage of sixth graders who can read with comprehension nearly doubled this year. As parents are trained in models of caring for their kids better, they’re becoming more involved in their children’s education. We’re also developing centers that prioritize early literacy and essential learning skills so kids have a practical path out of poverty.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Bolivia ❯
Progress in Bolivia
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Parents learned positive parenting skills, including how to discipline children without physical or emotional punishment, helping to protect girls and boys from abuse.
- Both boys and girls took part in child protection activities, where they learned how to protect themselves and keep safe from abuse.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Community members were given food assistance to help their children and families have enough to eat.
- With the help of faith leaders, parents and families received information and supplies to help protect against COVID-19. They learned about social distancing, and also received hygiene kits with gloves and soap. Health workers received masks to help protect against the spread of the virus.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Children received support from World Vision to pay for their school fees and for educational support so they could stay in school and reach their full potential. Children who were not able to attend in-person school due to the COVID-19 pandemic were given educational items to help them learn at home.
Prayer Requests from Bolivia
World Vision's staff in Bolivia are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Sustainability of our work to stop violence toward children in their homes, schools, and community.
No violent days from political instabilities.
News from Bolivia
From the Field
Packed with love: Sending letters, packages to your sponsored child
From thousands of miles away, a letter and a package filled with small gifts — from stickers to hair ribbons — mean the world to a sponsored child.
From the Field
Seeking justice: A former sponsored child in Bolivia becomes a lawyer
Ruth grew up in a Bolivian village rife with abuse, alcoholism, and abandonment. She has a passion for seeking justice on behalf of children. Through World Vision sponsorship and a friendship with Rich Stearns, World Vision U.S. president, she found the strength and support to live out her dream of becoming a lawyer.
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