“I want to say that after visiting Haven of Hope Bolivia I am even more impressed with this organization. I know people who have returned from mission trips with orphanages and felt so sad that they could not rescue all the children and bring them back to the US with them. Leaving Refugio de Esperanza, I did not feel that way at all! I felt like these children are in the best possible place for them where they are well loved and have all their needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual—addressed every day by loving and dedicated Tias, Tios and staff members. And the passion Gladys and Marco have after all these years still burns bright. They truly love these children as their own.”
-Laura Gates, 2023 Mission Trip Traveler
Refugio de Esperanza, Santa Cruz, Bolivia (35-40 Children)
					Meet Directors Gladys and Marco Aldana
Meeting directors Gladys and Marco Aldana is like encountering a whirlwind of passion and dedication. They've devoted themselves to nurturing over 400 children at Refugio de Esperanza, fondly known as Haven of Hope Bolivia, assuming the roles of both "mom and dad" to these deserving youngsters.
Gladys, armed with a degree in childhood education and pastor accreditation, is a prominent leader in the Church of God Southern Cone of South America. Her involvement in orphan care, feeding kitchens, and community abuse shelters has left an indelible mark. She's known for introducing innovative programs that have transformed countless lives.
About Refugio de Esperanza
Refugio de Esperanza isn't just an orphanage; it's a testament to the power of action, collaboration, and the unwavering belief in the potential of every child. It stands as Haven of Hope International’s flagship home, a transformative model-of-care. From day one, the pursuit of excellence has driven every decision and action taken by its directors.
In 2003, a mission team from Covenant Community Ministries in Fort Myers, Florida accepted a Men & Women of Action Project to construct a dormitory in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, answering the prayers of local pastors. In January 2004, the doors of a former orphanage, dormant for over a decade due to lack of funding, swung open to embrace its destiny as Refugio de Esperanza.
From the outset, local church members have actively participated, helping to establish a rock-solid Christian foundation for each child. They've become surrogate families and mentors. Local businesses have also offered mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities, further underscoring the community's commitment to these children's futures.
The beauty of Refugio de Esperanza isn’t confined to its picturesque campus, but also through its progressive approach in caring for the children. Its multi-disciplinary strategy addresses the complex needs of its children.
					How You Can Help
Your support enables HOHI to provide essential educational materials, trauma care training, assistance with medical expenses, and funding for university studies or vocational training.
					
					
					Our Blogs About Bolivia
A Dream Realized: Ribbon Cutting at the Rhonda Jarvis Boys’ Dream Center
On July 7, 2023, a long-awaited dream became reality at Haven of Hope Bolivia in Santa Cruz. With joy and celebration, we cut the ribbon and opened the doors to the Rhonda Jarvis Boys’ Dream Center on the Joe Morici Campus – a moment years in the making and filled with hope for the future. The new two-story Dream Center offers opportunity…
New Bolivia Boys’ Dorm Aerial Tour!
Take A Tour with Us of the Boys’ Dream Center in Bolivia. We are overjoyed to share this aerial view of the final stages of construction of the of the Rhonda Jarvis Boys’ Dream Center on the Joe Morici Boys’ Campus at Refugio de Esperanza Hogar in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The Dream Center and Campus…
Building in Honor of Emma Bullock: A Legacy of Hope and Opportunity
On March 19, 2023, a beautiful moment unfolded on the campus of Haven of Hope Bolivia as we dedicated and cut the ribbon for Emma’s Echo Internship Center – a building created in loving memory of Emma Bullock. This new center stands as a symbol of Emma’s enduring spirit and the power of compassion to transform lives. More…
From Surviving to Thriving – A Progress Report on Refugio de Esperanza (Haven of Hope Bolivia), Santa Cruz, Bolivia
REFUGIO DE ESPERANZA (HAVEN OF HOPE BOLIVIA) – Santa Cruz, Bolivia Haven of Hope International (HOHI) is proud to announce the completion of several projects aimed at improving the living conditions and futures of the children at our flagship orphanage, Haven of Hope Bolivia (HOHB). Our dedicated team of volunteers, donors, and staff have worked…
From Surviving to Thriving – Trauma Care: The Healing Begins Here
TRAUMA CARE: The Healing Begins Here At Haven of Hope International (HOHI) we understand the impact trauma has on brain development. Since 2015 our staff has been continually trained to deliver knowledgeable, attuned, and consistent care to the children we rescue from severely traumatizing life situations such as physical and sexual abuse, extreme poverty, and…
Honoring Emma Bullock
I don’t think I can write about Emma’s experience in Bolivia without backing up to the few weeks before she left for Bolivia, and then moving forward to how mission trips like Bolivia ultimately framed her. It would be easiest to say that she was simply a great kid who loved Jesus and people, went to Bolivia, served with joy, was transformed…and then leave it at that. Nice and tidy and easy to fit onto one page. And whereas all of that is true, I don’t think it does justice to her, the beautiful kids in Bolivia, or her God. Most of us are a little bit messier than that. And so was Emma.
Trauma Care Update
Haven of Hope International launches a one-year trauma-informed certification program to set a new standard of care for the orphaned children they serve. Congratulations to the first students participating in this game-changing trauma care program at our flagship orphan care home, Refugio de Esperanza in Bolivia. Upon successful completion of this program, each staff member…
Technology Brings Education, Medical and Trauma-Informed Care to Orphanages
Today, providing technology packages to the orphanages that we partner with so their children can participate in online learning is one of our most important initiatives at Haven of Hope.
Innovative Trauma Care Helps To Restore And Equip Our Children
Haven of Hope Innovative Trauma Care Helps To Restore And Equip Our Children. The programs focus on restoring the children we serve—from a points reward system to play therapy and celebrating birthdays—to equipping the older children with specific Youth Development and GPS Life Journey programs.
Virtual School in Bolivia
Here in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, we are still doing school virtually because the total quarantine has been extended another two weeks, beginning of June 2020.
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Our Bolivia Gallery
About the Country of Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru with a varied landscape that includes lakes, mountains, deserts and rainforests. By area it is the fifth largest country in South American and by population is it the eighth largest country with approximately 11.6 million people. Santa Cruz, with an estimated 2.3 million people, is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and is considthe financial and economic hub of Bolivia.
Bolivia is the second poorest country in South America. Approximately 59% of the population live in conditions of poverty with 24.4% living in extreme poverty. The conditions of poverty have a direct impact on children being abandoned and orphaned. It is estimated that there are 13,000 orphaned, abandoned Bolivian children.
The living conditions of abandoned children are harsh, making them more vulnerable to other problems—abuse, trauma, drugs, violence, crime, sex trafficking and health issues. They experience forced child labor and lack of access to education.
