Maryknoll lay missioner assists vulnerable Indigenous families at a children’s center on the outskirts of Cochabamba.
Yanapanakuna is a Quechua word meaning “we will help each other” and is a perfect example of the idea of unity in a community.
At the Yanapanakuna center near Cochabamba, Bolivia, where I serve as a Maryknoll lay missioner, I am reminded of this word often. The children who come to the center after school, ages 4 to 12, are from the most vulnerable families in the municipality of Tiquipaya. Most are from single-parent families with few resources and experience chaos and uncertainty at home and bullying and marginalization at school. At the center, they are welcomed as a part of a supportive community focused on their needs and they participate in a multidimensional, integrated program that emphasizes all aspects of a child’s well-being: psychosocial, educational, health, nutrition and spiritual functioning. At the center, students find food, security, love, companionship, guidance and emotional support.
When I first came to Bolivia in 2022, I worked with the elderly. Completing my first contract, as I was discerning whether to continue my journey with Maryknoll Lay Missioners, I felt a strong desire to accompany the poorest Bolivians — especially vulnerable mothers and children who are so often victims of domestic and structural violence. Providentially, I met a local psychologist, Rosse Mary Miranda, who has a long history of reaching out to the most marginalized people, especially children, in her community of Tiquipaya.
Through her, I met Lourdes, a mother of five children under the age of 10, who was living in extreme poverty with very few options to improve her life. Her partner, the father of her children, was prone to fits of violence and anger at their difficult situation and was known to physically abuse her. He was rarely home, drank too much, and failed to provide enough money to adequately feed and clothe their children. Because Lourdes couldn’t afford childcare and had limited employment opportunities, she wasn’t able to earn any income beyond washing some neighbors’ clothes.
I felt God’s call to join Rosse Mary in building something that could truly make a difference.
Rosse Mary soon found a large apartment in the heart of Tiquipaya with adequate space for us to embark on a six-month pilot project which she named Yanapanakuna. The word is used by Indigenous communities to refer to a space or environment where people advance together through mutual support.
Our plan was to use the space to offer an after-school program for children from the most desperate family situations; hold workshops and counseling sessions to improve family dynamics; and assist with the difficult economic realities these families face. The mission of the center is to “promote spaces of safety, learning, and mutual support for mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons in contexts of risk, strengthening their emotional, parental, and community skills for a dignified life free of violence.”
By all accounts, the six-month pilot program was a success!
Because of Jenifer, Maryknoll Lay Missioner Louise Locke discovered a new ministry in the area of Cochabamba, Bolivia, where she serves. (Courtesy of Louise Locke/Maryknoll Lay Missioners/Bolivia)
We admitted our maximum of 15 children, including the four oldest of Lourdes’s five children, to the after-school program. Their parents, guardians and teachers have expressed deep appreciation for the support we offer and have noted real improvements in the children’s math, reading and writing skills, as well as in their social skills. Many problem behaviors have been greatly reduced or eliminated. The children are more focused at school, more helpful to their caregivers, and more confident in their interactions with others. Family dynamics have also improved through therapy sessions, education and an intensive focus on the challenges that keep families from improving their economic stability.
To help Lourdes earn her own income and gain more control over her life, we provided a food cart that she now uses to sell food on the street. She has been able to significantly increase her income, relieving much of the stress she had been carrying.
With her children, we not only focus on cognitive development and homework support but also addresses psychological, social, health and spiritual needs. Almost immediately, positive reports from their teachers reached us. Seven-year-old Keyla, who had been unfocused and disruptive in class and struggled to complete her homework, has had an almost complete turnaround. Ten-year-old Emily, who was extremely timid and had difficulty expressing her thoughts, has blossomed into a happier, more confident and self-possessed young girl.
However, the most surprising and gratifying transformation has been that of the children’s father. He has become a concerned father and a helpful partner to Lourdes. He is now in daily contact with Rosse Mary about the children’s school progress and behavior, has received counseling for his anger issues, and is fully engaged in the well-being of his family.
As I participate in the daily rhythm of the center, where we have doubled our initial enrollment, I see the children working together on the daily chores, and I learn about their stories. I watch in amazement as some of the more advanced children take the initiative to help those who are behind in their studies.
My eyes focus on 7-year-old Luis sitting at a table and working quietly on his homework. His mother is single and was in desperate need of help because he was being rebellious both at school and at home. He refused to do homework and resisted learning how to read. Luis’ mother sought placement at the Yanapanakuna center and has been amazed, grateful and completely convinced of the benefits of our integrated program. He has calmed down, is well-behaved at school and at home, and has learned to read almost at his grade level. He loves coming to the center.
Then, I spot 8-year-old Juan. His mother is also single and was worried because he was depressed due to being bullied at school. With few resources, she did not know where to turn. She heard about the center and brought him for an assessment. We were happy to admit him and now he enjoys coming to Yanapanakuna, where he is accepted by the other children, is learning social skills which help him interact with his classmates, is more able to focus on completing homework and participates in all the activities offered, including cleaning and washing dishes!
At the Yanapanakuna center, we help these children heal from trauma, thrive, and become advocates for themselves and other children who face the same issues.
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Louise Locke joined the lay mission organization in 2021. She serves in Bolivia, where she initially worked with the elderly. Now in her second term, she currently serves in ministry with children and families.
Featured image: Maryknoll Lay Missioner Louise Locke (in pink shirt) visits with Lourdes and her children in a poor community on the outskirts of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Locke assists at Yanapanakuna, a children’s education and development center attended by Lourdes’ children. (Courtesy of Louise Locke/Maryknoll Lay Missioners/Bolivia)
