Promoting the educational and social reintegration of children in El Alto

Many children in Bolivia, especially in El Alto, live in poverty. Parents are often no longer able to finance their children's education, which leads to them dropping out of school early. Children often leave school to support their families by working in the informal sector, such as street vending. As a result, many children in El Alto never complete their schooling. In addition, the everyday lives of these children are often characterized by violence, including domestic and, unfortunately, sexual violence. The situation is exacerbated by Bolivia's ailing education system, especially in El Alto, the country's second largest city. There is a lack of qualified teachers, which leads to a low level of education, meaning that children with learning difficulties often fall by the wayside.
ENDA El Alto's “Centro Fraternidad” offers these children and young people a safe and supportive space. Here, children who exhibit behavioral problems or have learning difficulties due to stress or traumatic experiences such as violence can find professional help. This also includes children with learning disorders such as autism or dyslexia. Specialized psychologists and psycho-educators at the center use tailored psycho-educational methods - such as individually adapted learning support, individual and group therapy and therapeutic excursions - to promote the children's personal development. The aim is to help them overcome their challenges constructively, promote their school and social reintegration and stabilize their educational pathways. The psychologists and psycho-educators work closely with parents, guardians and schools. The work at the “Centro Fraternidad” therefore also includes raising awareness and training parents and teachers to ensure a supportive and inclusive learning environment at home and in schools.