In Potosí, at the foot of Cerro Rico, the Encuentros Project run by the Simón I. Patiño Foundation welcomes over 75 children aged 4 to 14 living in extreme poverty. This centre combines educational support, social assistance, access to healthcare and nutrition in a safe, caring environment. It meets the fundamental needs of vulnerable children and supports families in both individual and collective rebuilding.
In the mining city of Potosí, where poverty affects a large part of the population, the Patiño Foundation launched the Encuentros Project to meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable children. The centre welcomes more than 75 children aged 4 to 14 each day, many of whom face extreme poverty, insecurity, early labour or domestic violence. Encuentros provides a holistic response—educational, health-related and social—to offer them a dignified and protective environment.
Education is central to the Encuentros Project. Children receive daily academic support, personalised educational assistance, and activities that foster autonomy, creativity and self-esteem. Play areas, art and reading spaces help restore confidence and stability. The goal is to prevent school dropout and build a positive relationship with learning in a nurturing environment.
Every child cared for by the Encuentros centre receives a balanced daily meal, essential in a context where malnutrition remains a serious issue. Basic healthcare is provided in coordination with local services, including vaccinations, medical check-ups and hygiene support. This comprehensive care helps improve the children’s physical and mental health over the long term.
Many of the children welcomed at Encuentros have been exposed to neglect, abuse or domestic violence. The centre serves as a structured refuge, offering a stable environment led by a multidisciplinary team attentive to each child’s circumstances. In-depth work is done with families to identify risk factors, prevent recurrence and rebuild relationships based on respect and safety.
The Encuentros Project doesn’t focus solely on children—it also supports families. Meetings, workshops and follow-ups are organised with parents to strengthen their educational and social role. The team promotes parenting skills, encourages dialogue and rebuilds local solidarity. The centre is embedded in the Potosí community as a space for social connection and collective action.
By combining education, healthcare, nutrition and social support, the Encuentros Project adopts an integrated approach to combat child poverty. Acting on several fronts, it addresses immediate needs while preparing for the future. Far from being a short-term aid initiative, the centre builds long-term pathways to recovery and empowerment. It represents the Patiño Foundation’s commitment to a childhood that is protected, educated and valued.
75 children aged 4 to 14 welcomed daily at the centre
75
1 balanced meal per day offered to each child, year-round
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4 combined areas of intervention: education, healthcare, nutrition and social support
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By supporting the Encuentros Project, you help provide children living in extreme poverty with lasting access to education, healthcare and a safe environment. Each donation supports daily care, meals, medical attention and educational follow-up. It’s a tangible step toward building with them a fairer, more dignified and more resilient future.
09/04/2025
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