The Unseen Struggle
Gabriel was a young boy who had faced immense challenges in his short life. Born in Santa Cruz – Obispo Santistevan – Montero, he had taken on the responsibility of caring for his three younger siblings from a very early age. Gabriel’s mother, Eliana, was a single mother who worked extra hours in a small grocery store, barely making enough to get by. Without a support system, she often had to leave the children alone, unable to provide the care and attention they desperately needed. This left Gabriel, the oldest, to ensure that his siblings were fed, dressed, and attended school. Eliana also struggled with depression, a condition that had left her overwhelmed and unable to properly care for her children. The weight of single-handedly caring for a child, financial stress, and lack of support had taken a toll on her mental health. In her darkest moments, Eliana would withdraw into herself, leaving Gabriel to pick up the pieces and keep the family afloat.
The Weight of Responsibility
Despite his young age, Gabriel took on this burden with a maturity beyond his years. He was a natural caregiver, always looking out for his sisters Marlen and Melania. However, this left little time for Gabriel to focus on his own education and personal development. One day, Gabriel’s situation came to the attention of NPH, a residential care program that provides a loving home and support to children in need. Gabriel and his siblings were welcomed into the NPH family, but the transition was not easy. Gabriel had a history of being rebellious and struggled to express his emotions in a healthy way.
Finding Solace and Growth
At NPH, Gabriel received the guidance and support he desperately needed. He enrolled in the local school and received tutoring and mentoring to help him catch up academically. The NPH staff also worked with Gabriel to develop his emotional intelligence, teaching him healthy coping mechanisms and conflict resolution skills. One of Gabriel’s passions was cooking, and he was able to explore this interest through NPH’s vocational training programs. He excelled in the kitchen, learning to prepare delicious dishes and even selling some of his creations to the community. This not only provided him with a sense of purpose and achievement but also helped him develop valuable skills that could lead to future employment opportunities. As Gabriel continued to grow and thrive at NPH, he also maintained a close relationship with his mother and siblings. He would visit them regularly, and the family was able to reconnect and rebuild their bond. Eliana, Gabriel’s mother, was grateful for the support and resources that NPH provided and saw a positive transformation in her son. Today, Gabriel is a confident and responsible young man with a clear vision for his future. He dreams of studying communication and culinary arts and is excited about the possibility of moving into NPH’s transition house, where he can continue developing his independence and life skills. Gabriel’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative impact that organizations like NPH can have on the lives of vulnerable children.
The Road Ahead
Gabriel’s story is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for a brighter future. With the support of NPH and his family, Gabriel has found a path to a life full of purpose and fulfillment. His story serves as a beacon of inspiration for all those who have faced adversity and a testament to the power of love and support. Gabriel’s future is full of promise. He dreams of studying communication and culinary arts and is excited about the possibility of moving into NPH’s transition house, where he can continue developing his independence and life skills. His story is a testament to the power of resilience and the impact that organizations like NPH can have on the lives of vulnerable children.
Child Poverty in Bolivia
UNICEF (2021) reports that estimated poverty in households with children and adolescents was higher than the national poverty rate. Child poverty increased from 47.8% to 50.0% between 2019 and 2020 (Fundación Aru, 2021). Persistent social disparities, particularly linked to gender, ethnicity, and geographic location, continued to limit economic prospects and worsen social exclusion for poor and vulnerable families and their children.*
Organizations like NPH Bolivia are working to address child poverty by providing residential care, education, and support to vulnerable children. NPH’s holistic approach aims to break the cycle of poverty and empower children to reach their full potential.
By supporting NPH’s mission to eliminate poverty in Latin America through education, you can help ensure that all children in Bolivia have access to the care and opportunities they need to thrive. Visit the Give Now page to make a donation and learn more about how you can get involved.
*UNICEF. “Bolivia (Plurinational State of) 2021 COAR.” UNICEF, 2021, https://www.unicef.org/media/115821/file/Bolivia-Plurinational-State-of-2021-COAR.pdf.