Pandemic Emergency Funding

In February of 2019, we visited Casa de Los Niños, an orphanage in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It’s a remarkable outfit run by Italian Aristide Gazzotti. Back then it was home to just over 200 children. They were holding their own before COVID hit. That’s when they reached out for help.

Because hospitals in Cochabamba were full, the home had taken in a significant number of children with serious illnesses, especially those with cancer. It’s expensive end-of-life care and they turn no child away. Sadly, seven of those children died in 2021.

Additionally, the authorities asked them to take in 30 orphaned children from the ages of 4 months to 12 years old, creating an urgent need for housing, medical supplies, food, and clothing.

We sent an emergency grant to help with all of these needs:

Housing: We expanded their space funding the construction of three bedrooms; One for babies, one for children ages 2 to 4, and a third room for children ages 5 to 10. This included beds, mattresses, sheets, blankets, and cribs.

Food: We provided funding for an entire year’s worth of food for 2022, including milk, eggs, meat, vegetables, cereals, fruit, oatmeal, bread, vitamins, and protein.

Healthcare: Our grant covered hospital costs, medical care, and medicine.

Hygiene & Clothes: Our funding also provided a supply of diapers, wipes, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, clothing, and shoes.