Unidad Académica Campesina-Carmen Pampa (UAC-CP) is a small college located in the municipality of Coroico in the department of La Paz, Bolivia. It was founded in 1993 with the mission of providing higher education to motivated young people from rural areas
with limited resources.
Students are enrolled in five specialized degree-granting programs: Education, Agronomy, Veterinary Science, Nursing and Ecotourism. These areas of study are offered because they provide graduates with skills to improve from the ground up the quality of
life for rural Bolivians.
A number of students at the College have a young child, which creates a challenge for them in pursuing their studies. In order to continue their education, some leave a child with their families in other parts of the country which can lead to emotional estrangement
for both the parents and the child. Some sudents, whose families are unable to support them, leave a child with friends while they attend classes. Other students have to delay their studies in order to provide childcare.
To address this challenge, the College hopes to open a daycare center for the use of students and staff with children up to age 6. Currently, there is a temporary and centrally located space for daycare open for students to send their children. Members pay
100 Bolivianos per month - about $15 - for a full-time caretaker and maintenance of the space. The goal is to keep the monthly contribution at this level in order to keep it affordable and accessible to students, especially those who are already struggling
to pay for their studies and other family expenses. To supplement this contribution, external financial support for equipment and materials is necessary in order to make these spaces excellent for care and learning.
The Daycare Center Project is high-priority because it will:
- Enable education for rural students, including those with children; thus allowing the College to further its mission of helping young people of rural Bolivian areas to become professionals and responsible adults;
- Support the students to continue their studies at the College and be responsible for the growth and development of their children;
- Contribute to the caretaking of the children, up to 5 years old, of the College’s students and staff;
- Create a space to attend to the children’s physical, social and psychological growth;
- Foster close relationships between the parents and their children, becoming responsible and loving adults.
The Daycare Center is managed by the College's Psychology office and the center's users. There are currently 22 adult beneficiaries and 15 chidren beneficiaries (between 2 months - 3 years old) of the daycare center. The improvements of the daycare center will
encourage other students who have delayed their studies to return to the college and complete their studies, totaling approximately 60 beneficiaries.
