Ciudadela Ferroviaria Project, Bolivia

See the progress you helped make happen in your sponsored community

When the project started, schools lacked resources and teachers had limited skills. Health centres were under-resourced and children were vulnerable to domestic violence.

Thanks to your support, your sponsored child and other children in the Ciudadela Ferroviaria community have improved access to education and healthcare and they are better protected from violence and abuse.

Together we've achieved so much

174 children are now attending pre-school

This is up from 50 children in 2008.

  • The project collaborated with the international charity SOS Children’s Villages to support improvements in two pre-schools. 
  • 2,224 school children received support to improve maths and reading skills by taking part in extra lessons, academic competitions and after-school reading clubs.
  • 114 teachers and 99 volunteer tutors were supported to undertake skills training in reading, writing and maths instruction. 
  • The project supported implementation of a program called Safe Schools to engage teachers, students and the wider community in action to address issues including violence, bullying and under-age alcohol consumption.

Facilities at two health centres have been improved

In addition, health centre staff have been trained on family and community health.

  • Parents have learned how to improve the health and nutrition of their children aged below five after taking part in training sessions covering topics including breastfeeding and how to prepare nutritionally balanced meals. 
  • The project supported an eye health campaign in 2017, which resulted in 221 children with vision problems receiving donated glasses.   
 

1,753 children have knowledge of child rights

This is up from 280 children in 2008.

  • Over 1,700 children and youth have taken part in workshops, festivals and art activities that promote child rights, respect for others and a culture of peace within families and the community. 
  • 421 children and youth have learned how to report cases of child abuse and family violence to the relevant authorities after taking part in training workshops. 
  • 590 parents have learned about child rights and positive parenting skills after taking part in training workshops. Among other things, the parents gained an understanding of the negative impacts of family violence and physical punishment on children. 

"I am very happy that World Vision could support us and change the faces of the children to joy. "

- Guillermo, aged 61, community association president 

Youth using their voices for change 

Youth living in the Ciudadela Ferroviaria community are playing an important role in educating their peers about important social issues thanks to the support of generous child sponsors like you. 

You’ve helped members of a youth network called Strong Youth gain skills to stage public awareness events and create films on topics including family violence and alcohol abuse. 

“Rain of Hope” was the first short film produced by the network about teen pregnancy, which is a major challenge facing young people in Bolivia. Network members wrote the screenplay and did the acting, camerawork and sound recording. They also made their own film-making tools. Illumination panels were made using tinfoil and a tree branch served as the pole for the boom microphone. 

“In my school, many of my classmates dropped out for being pregnant ... I don’t want this to happen every year. This was one of our main reasons to make the movie,” says Miriam one of the network members.

“When you get pregnant at a young age, you don’t always have the support of your partner and your parents; and you can’t make your dreams come true,” adds Elena, who also worked on the film. 

You’ve helped members of a youth network called Strong Youth gain skills to stage public awareness events and create films on topics including family violence and alcohol abuse. 

“Rain of Hope” was the first short film produced by the network about teen pregnancy, which is a major challenge facing young people in Bolivia. Network members wrote the screenplay and did the acting, camerawork and sound recording. They also made their own film-making tools. Illumination panels were made using tinfoil and a tree branch served as the pole for the boom microphone. 

“In my school, many of my classmates dropped out for being pregnant ... I don’t want this to happen every year. This was one of our main reasons to make the movie,” says Miriam one of the network members.

“When you get pregnant at a young age, you don’t always have the support of your partner and your parents; and you can’t make your dreams come true,” adds Elena, who also worked on the film. 

"Children are a blessing, but at the age of 17 it is not the moment to become a mother."

- Elena, member of the Strong Youth network