Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. Approximately 59 per cent of the population of about 9 million inhabitants live in conditions of poverty. Of these, 24.4 percent live in extreme poverty. This has a direct impact on children being abandoned and orphaned. People living in poor conditions are prone to illness and disease. Simple, treatable conditions can result in early death without access to adequate healthcare. According to UNICEF, nearly 10% of all children in Bolivia are orphans, and thousands of women choose to abort or abandon their children every year for many reasons. Since abortions are still illegal and costly in Bolivia, children are left on their own. These children are also at risk of being recruited into gangs and forced into child labor and human trafficking rings. They need the immediate safety of homes like Haven of Hope to protect them from the vulnerabilities they would otherwise face.
In 2003, an American humanitarian group, Men and Women of Action rebuilt a former orphanage in Santa Cruz. This facility is now one of Bolivia’s most beautiful homes for orphaned children. The 80-bed facility called Haven of Hope opened its doors on January 25, 2004, and operates through funding provided by Serving Orphans Worldwide and several U.S. churches. However, the facility must currently limit its enrollment due to budgetary constraints. Your donation could help Haven of Hope open its doors to many more Bolivian children who need the love and care that this home offers.
Serving Orphans Worldwide travels to every orphanage we partner with to ensure needs are legitimate and 100% of funds distributed goes to the livelihood of the children.