Proyecto Horizonte Ushpa-Ushpa

“Proyecto Horizonte” is a community developed program in the settlement “Mineros de San Juan, Ushpa-Ushpa” in the outskirts of Cochabamba. In a little over five years the project developed from a daycare for 35 children to a full-fledged community development organization with a school and daycare for over 800 children, a modern healthcare center, infrastructure development projects, women’s support and artisan groups, and microfinance operations.

The project was founded by the local San Vicente de Paul society and BCF’s board member Christian Ruehmer in 2004. BCF played a key role brokering the contacts and supporting the stating phase of the work.



Horizonte became a poster child for privately funded project relying almost fully on private donations offering employment for local people as well as integrating the community in its decision making. Over 70 employees look after the well being of the children and all the other aspects of the place. The mothers club TANTAKUNA operates the own bakery and started to produce handcraft that is sold in local markets. More and more organizations like to collaborate with Horizonte, like more recently a foundation that works with teenagers and adolescents or a group of volunteers providing eye exams and second hand glasses to the population.

The overall operating “cost per child” are approximately US$ 1/day to which the parents contribute at an increasing pace. The project needs ongoing financial support which can be personalized according to the donor’s desires.

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