R Mission Bolivia’s Children’s Centre nears completion

In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, R Mission Bolivia is at the cusp of realising a long-held dream: the completion of a Children’s Centre. The centre will be a safe, nurturing home for abandoned and vulnerable children, and is entering its final stages of construction; installing internal fixtures and fittings, and the building of a covered walk-way around the outside of the centre.

A vision born from compassion

Founders Isaac and Anali embarked on this journey by giving up their home and possessions to move from the UK to Bolivia and reach out to its most forgotten children – street‑dwelling youngsters, many struggling with hunger, neglect, or drug abuse, some as young as three. Isaac and Anali recognise that survival needs, like food and shelter, must be paired with love, stability, and a sense of belonging. Both experienced incredibly difficult childhoods marked by abuse. While painful, it has given them an empathy for people who are struggling, particularly children.

Since arriving in Bolivia in April 2021, they’ve established strong roots in both urban and rural areas of Santa Cruz. Throughout the week, the team splits its efforts: Wednesdays see volunteers preparing food and heading into the city to support single parents, homeless children, and families struggling with poverty and addiction. Fridays are reserved for rural outreach – packing and delivering essentials like food, hygiene supplies, clothing, and educational resources to households and schools.

Recognising a deep lack of reading materials in these outlying villages, they began sharing children’s books and Bible activity booklets. Their approach isn’t just about meeting immediate needs – it’s about sowing seeds of hope and long-term resilience.

Building for the Future

Once complete, the Centre will be more than walls and a roof – it will be a sanctuary offering stability, education, nutrition, and love. Children who once slept under bridges or scavenged for scraps will have a place to belong.

Isaac explains, “Our heart is to see children cared for and protected in a way that prevents them from experiencing homelessness. At the Children’s Centre, we’re aiming to create a secure haven for abandoned children; a place where they know they are safe. Although the Centre will be run by us, our hope is for this project to be much wider – expanding our vision throughout Bolivia, and placing children wherever we can into nurturing family environments.”

A Beacon of Transformation

As R Mission Bolivia nears the finish line, only a further £32,000 is needed to complete the project.

The Centre stands as a beacon of transformation, where childhood can be restored. The challenges have been frequent and complex – fundraising, construction delays, harsh weather – but each obstacle overcome brings Isaac and Anali closer to helping children who deserve a brighter future.