Lifestyle

There are four places to go where you can sponsor a child online:

1. Sponsor a child with World Vision

2. Sponsor a child with Plan UK

3. Sponsor a child with Action Aid

4. Sponsor a child with Everychild

Bolivia has a very troubled history, which until 1982, was characterised by many coups and counter-coups. The controversial policies of President Evo Morales, elected with an almost unprecedented majority of votes, have exacerbated tensions between different ethnic groups. He faces massive challenges with regard to poverty, civil unrest and illegal drug production and exportation.

Bolivia’s long-standing economic depression and rampant inflation, combined with US-backed coca eradication schemes, have led to deep-seated poverty in Bolivia. The country is rich in natural gas reserves, but there is much tension surrounding who has the right to exploit it. The financial crisis that hit the global economy in 2008, the lack of interest from foreign investors, and troubled trade agreements with the US will only serve to deepen Bolivia’s welfare crisis in years to come.

The people of Bolivia are in great need of the life-changing hope that child sponsorship can bring to their families and communities. You can sponsor a child in Bolivia through ActionAid, one of the world's leading relief and development agencies. They have developed a child sponsorship scheme which links people in more affluent countries with individual children in developing countries around the world.

ActionAid has been working with partner organisations in Bolivia for some years now. It helps to improve access to basic health facilities, and has succeeded in significantly reducing infant and maternal mortality rates. It has invested in the training of health workers and the provision of health services, which are often inaccessible in isolated parts of rural Bolivia. It also invests heavily in the construction of education facilities, and the training of teachers in 'Reflect', ActionAid's hugely successful adult literacy program.

Efforts are also focused on education and literacy, community organisation, farming and forestry. ActionAid helps the training of farmers in innovative techniques that yield bigger harvests while conserving water and soil usage. ActionAid supports income generation schemes that make small loans and credit available to business start-ups.

In the 37 years since its inception, ActionAid has reached many millions people in Africa, Asia and the Americas, and it has developed a wealth expertise in fighting poverty. The charity partners with local organisations and recognises the need to work with communities on their own terms, and not impose solutions. By getting to know the culture intimately ActionAid workers have the best possible opportunity to affect a lasting end to poverty.

Sponsoring a child in Bolivia today will cost you only 50 pence per day. Your money will also go towards development efforts in the town in which the child you sponsor lives. This will ensure the most efficient and effective use of your money.

As a child sponsor you will be able arrange a personal visit with your child and communicate with them regulalry. You can also look forward to receiving special letters and drawings, including a new photograph every two years. Additionally, you get to see where and how your money is being spent by keeping in touch with your child's local ActionAid office, and through regular editions of Common Cause, ActionAid's newsletter.

You can sponsor a child in Bolivia through Action Aid here

You may also like to consider sponsoring a child through the following trusted agencies:

Sponsor a child with World Vision

Sponsor a child with Plan UK

Sponsor a child with Everychild