Linda was very kind when she welcomed me into her home yesterday to talk about Helping Hands. The Helping Hands Project is designed to provide educational opportunities for marginalized Bolivian youth and other deserving young people of very limited economic  resources.

Linda lives on the outskirts of La Paz, in a lovely town surrounded by huge, jagged rock formations, one of which is known as ´Devil´s Tooth´.

Linda shows me one of her husband´s creations in progress, which takes up nearly half the decent sized backyard. She tells me how he makes pieces such as dinosaurs for museums, and then she pops off to be a delightful host, bringing back tea and biscuits.

Linda first opened a Library at a boys home about 7 years, and has been coordinator of Helping Hands for about 5 years. She did both of these things to help poorer students be able to continue with their studies. Most of the students can´t work because they are studying full time… and even if they did, they almost certainly still wouldn´t be able to afford basics such as food.

A great project that the students are working on at the moment involves making Manilas (colourful bracelets and necklaces). Rather than just waiting for donations, they can then sell these bracelets and manage to make enough for their basic necessities.

Anyone in Australia or any other country can buy a bag of these inexpensive bracelets. They can then either make a profit for themselves, or can hold a sort of fundraiser for with the money being sent back to Helping Hands.

If you would like to volunteer for Helping Hands (free to volunteer), donate or purchase some manila bracelets, please contact Linda at rlzarate(at)acelerate.com or visit www.helping-hands.cc

If you would like to volunteer here or at another creative volunteer project, and want everything set up nice and easily for you, including accommodation and insurance, please visit www.creative-corners.com

Bolivia Bracelets Fair Trade Free to volunteer Helping Hands Jewelery La Paz Poverty School Teaching Volunteerism