Potosi, Bolivia
THE PROJECT: Cultural Center for Social Advancement
INTENDED TARGET POPULATION: Children and youth with limited educational choices and at risk of working
GENERAL OBJECTIVE: To provide alternative educational opportunities to children and youth with limited educational choices and at risk of working in Potosi, Bolivia, with the emphasis on developing and promoting culture and to give the community access to the study and practice of art and crafts1. By providing life skills2, children and youth at risk can develop confidence, make better decisions, take control of the direction of their lives, and be an example for others in the community.
GENERAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Through community involvement and partnership with NGOs, government and local artisans, the project hopes to provide a creative environment through a cultural center as a complement to the school system. This center will be a place of opportunity for children and youth at risk of working, offering creative options in the fields of arts and crafts, and for the promotion of cultural products including performances and exhibitions. The project aims to elevate local culture and diversify the local economy, increase future employment expectations for youth while raising awareness of local issues in the city of Potosi.
The project will work with youth, children and parents from indigenous and local populations. Youth at risk, ages 13-16, will participate in order to increase their personal and professional skills so as to prevent their current need to undertake hazardous occupations at such a young age. Younger kids, ages 8-12, will be exposed to arts and crafts classes in order to develop interests in these areas. Work with parents will involve training in issues that affect children and their families.
- excerpted from Potosi Project Executive Summary 
More about child labour issues in Bolivia:
Here is the trailer for the film which inspired us to start this project.