At Refugio de Esperanza in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, hope has always been more than a word—it has been a way of life. What began as a step of faith has grown into Haven of Hope International’s flagship home and a model of care for children who have experienced poverty, abandonment, abuse, and trauma. Under the faithful leadership of Gladys and Marco Aldana, children are not only rescued and cared for; they are loved, discipled, educated, and equipped for a future filled with purpose. HOHI describes Refugio de Esperanza as a transformative model of care where the pursuit of excellence has guided every decision from the beginning.
This year, HOHI is placing a special emphasis on the Learning Lab Initiative, because education is one of the most powerful tools for breaking cycles of poverty and creating long-term change. Many children who come into care arrive with serious educational gaps. Some have struggled in school for years. Others have lacked consistent tutoring, access to books, quiet study spaces, or the encouragement needed to believe they can succeed.
For children from hard places, learning is not simply about textbooks and assignments. Before a child can focus, read, comprehend, or dream about the future, that child must feel safe. Refugio de Esperanza provides that safety through trusted relationships, stable routines, Christian discipleship, and trauma-informed care. The Learning Lab builds on that foundation by creating a dedicated space where children can strengthen literacy, improve academic confidence, and discover the joy of learning.
HOHI’s Learning Lab model is grounded in the belief that literacy develops best when children experience consistent exposure to reading, storytelling, language-rich interaction, and guided practice within trusted relationships and stable environments. The initiative seeks to establish residential-based Literacy Learning Labs equipped with age-appropriate books, phonics and literacy tools, storytelling resources, and interactive learning materials that support reading fluency and comprehension. It also emphasizes structured daily literacy engagement, caregiver involvement, and a scalable model that can be adapted across countries and cultures.
At Refugio de Esperanza, this means children will have access to resources that help them grow step by step—books that open imagination, tools that strengthen vocabulary, activities that build comprehension, and tutors who encourage learning throughout daily life. The goal is not only better grades, but stronger confidence, improved attention, increased reading engagement, and greater academic readiness.
This is what makes the Learning Lab Initiative so meaningful. It does not rely on outside instruction alone. Instead, it embeds learning into the daily rhythm of the home—through caregivers, tutors, routines, and relationships. In this way, education becomes part of healing.
For over 20 years, HOHI has partnered with Refugio de Esperanza to raise the standard of orphan care in Bolivia. The next chapter is about helping every child read with confidence, learn with joy, and prepare for a future beyond the walls of the home.
At Refugio de Esperanza, a Learning Lab is more than a classroom. It is a doorway to dignity, opportunity, and hope.