Noticias

In this quarterly newsletter, Save the Children Bolivia has chosen to focus on education. We decided to highlight part of the journey we have been building in this field for two reasons. First, because education has once again become highly relevant in a context marked by an economic, social, and political-institutional crisis that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations. Second, because the country office, together with strategic partners such as Tukuy Pacha, which focuses on inclusive education, and CEMSE, which works in technical and vocational education, is establishing itself as an important actor in the education sector, with the capacity to develop and test models, work closely with communities, coordinate with local governments and the Ministry of Education, and connect learning with life opportunities.

The experiences presented in this newsletter reflect different stages of the educational journey of children, adolescents, and young people. It begins with early childhood and the experience of Vroom, which strengthens the capacities of parents and caregivers to turn everyday interactions into opportunities for learning and development, with support from the Bezos Foundation.

During the early years of schooling, one of the most important lessons learned through the Sponsorship Program has been the experience of the Community Reading Clubs. These initiatives are sustained by the commitment of community facilitators and by the growing leadership of grassroots community organizations. This process also gave rise to the SoñaLibros Association, an example of community ownership and management that seeks to sustain these spaces and mobilize new partnerships and public and private resources.

Educational inclusion also occupies a central place. Tukuy Pacha, a local partner in Cochabamba, shares lessons learned from a process that supports children with disabilities from early childhood and strengthens the capacities of families, early childhood educators, preschool teachers, and institutions to build educational environments that respond to diversity. I encourage you to read the interview with its director.

As educational journeys progress into adolescence and youth, the challenge is also to connect education with life goals, autonomy, and economic opportunities. For this reason, Save the Children works to strengthen technical and vocational training by integrating life skills, employability, and entrepreneurship.

Finally, an educational journey also requires continuity and protection in the face of emergencies. When wildfires, floods, and other adverse events threaten the continuation of classes, Save the Children works alongside the education system to strengthen preparedness, response, and resilience. One example is the Safe Horizons Project, funded by ECHO.

At the beginning, I wrote that education is relevant. And it is, because it helps people understand their reality, expand their possibilities, and create new pathways for the future. As Paulo Freire said, education alone does not change the world; it changes the children and adolescents who will change the world. Enjoy the newsletter.

Lorenzo Marfisi, Director of Program Quality