ANET

ANET (Spanish initials for “Friends of Exception Children of Tarija”), is a non-profit organization founded in May 1986 by Father Miguel Donahue and volunteers responding to the needs of handicapped people in Tarija, Bolivia.

ANET works with more than 1,900 handicapped children and youth per year, providing rehabilitation, surgery, special education and job placement.  ANET has Centers of Special Education in the city of Tarija as well as in the provinces (counties) of Bermejo, Yacuiba and Villamontes. ANET’s objectives are to:

  • Contribute to the full integration of handicapped persons into society
  • Colaborate with medical attention to rehabiliate handicaps
  • Provide special education services in the department (state) of Tarija
  • Assist in job placement of handicapped persons
  • Prevent handicaps through ANET programs
  • Train parents and volunteers in attending handicapped persons

    • In 2009, ANET helped more 1, 923 people with the following:

  • 90 operations: hydrocephalus, cleft lip, cleft palate, burns, hands and club feet
  • 486 in rehabilitation:
    •    Wheelchairs, braces, crutches, walkers 75
    •    Physical therapy, 303
    •    Male Group Home, 9
    •    Female Group Home, 10
    •    Job placements, 67
  • 758 eye and ear beneficiaries: Audiometric testing,speech evaluations, speech therapy, hearing aids, ophthalmologist exams, prosthetic eye and glasses
  • 538 special education students:
    •    Intellectual Handicapped Center , 149
    •    Diane Center for Hearing Impaired, 32
    •    School for the Blind, 43
    •    Education and Physical Rehabilitation Center, 65
    •    The Refuge for Street Children, 66
    •    Alternative Adult Education, 20
    •    Center in Bermejo, 77
    •    Center in Yacuiba, 121
    •    University students, 8

    ANET Works with Esperanza, Bolivia to provide life-changing surgeries for people in Tarija.

    With the asístance of Emilie’s Charities, BCF provides scholarships to six university students.