Our Work in Bolivia
A recent study published by UNICEF Bolivia estimates that over 3700 children and adolescents are living on the streets of the major cities of this country. Most of these children are either abandoned by their families or runaways from abusive or broken homes. They sleep under bridges, in sewers or water pipe tunnels and roam the busy city streets, begging for food or eating from dumpsters. Many of them are addicted to glue sniffing, trying escape their hunger and depression. Many of the girls are sexually abused or practice prostitution. They live a life of misery never knowing their true value as precious children of God.
With the help of the Lord, Change Their Future International wants to change the fate of these innocent victims.
We are teaming up with Operation Restoration Bolivia, a ministry of Youth With A Mission, who has been working in Santa Cruz, Bolivia for many years. They have a great record of successfully rescuing children from the streets of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The children and teens rescued by them live in several children’s homes, where they receive great physical, emotional and spiritual nurturing and they are enrolled back into schools.
Using the Life Equip Advancement Program (LEAP) developed by Change Their Future, we seek to equip these young boys and girls, former street children of Santa Cruz Bolivia, with the life skills education and the minimal household items necessary for them to advance to a successful independent life in the society.
In the spring of 2012, our founder, Mr. Viorel Ispas held training sessions with the Operation Restoration staff in Bolivia, in the application of the Life Equip Advancement Program.
From Feb. 2012 to May 2012, our Project Coordinator, Roxana Ispas has worked in Bolivia alongside the Operation Restoration staff. Roxana spent a lot of her time there working directly with the children and especially helping the 3 girls who already graduated high school advance on their pathway to independent life. You can read Roxana’s blog here.
Below are some pictures illustrating our work in Bolivia:
Feb. 2012 – Training Operation Restoration staff in the implementation of the LEAP Program.
Feb. 2012 – Training Operation Restoration staff in the implementation of the LEAP Program.
Hanging out with Guillermo, the youngest boy in the home.
This is Roberto. One of the many children still living on the streets.
On the streets of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Operation Restoration goes out periodically, trying to convince more children and teens to come off the streets.
Laughing with Oscar and Kevin. Two boys who have chosen to live new lives in the Operation Restoration home, and leave the streets behind!
This is Kevin in his first week off the streets and into our home. Praise the Lord!
Karina and her daughter Victoria. Karina has tried to leave the streets several times, but has not yet been able to leave that life behind yet.
Karina receiving a new stroller for her daughter.
Celebrating Daniel and his completing 6 whole months off the streets! Also celebrating the end of his Tuberculosis treatment. This disease almost claimed his life only 6 short months before
Carlito, Roberto and Arturo!