Development in Bolivia

TSF’s work is part of a development approach centred on rural and indigenous communities, with a particular focus on women. By combining improvements in well-being, skills development and the promotion of local expertise, the organisation supports sustainable pathways to self-reliance. This integrated approach aims to strengthen the foundations of health, food security and economic inclusion, whilst respecting cultural and local dynamics.

Strengthening the provision of specialized community care

Dans les communautés rurales de l’Altiplano bolivien, l’accès aux soins spécialisés est limité par la distance et le manque de ressources. TSF soutient la mise en place de services de santé de proximité dans divers domaines. En dotant les centres de santé de matériel spécialisé et en renforçant les compétences des professionnelles locaux grâce à la coopération volontaire, TSF permet aux populations autochtones de recevoir des soins adaptés, près de chez elles et dans le respect de leur réalité.

Integrated maternal and child health

The maternal and child health component involves targeted initiatives on the ground: the establishment of modern, culturally appropriate maternity wards; practical training for healthcare professionals in paediatric, perineal and pelvic rehabilitation; and the introduction of patient monitoring tools. TSF also supports mothers through information workshops, exercises to be carried out at home and access to suitable equipment, in order to prevent complications, promote child development and strengthen perinatal care in rural areas.

Nutrition, preventive healthcare and family empowerment

Through its nutrition clinics and voluntary cooperation mandates, TSF supports the training of local professionals in improving the management of nutritional diseases and in identifying families’ actual needs. Cooking workshops, the preparation of fortified recipes for infants, and the use of fruit and vegetables grown in community greenhouses promote better dietary practices and a sustainable improvement in living conditions. Nutrition is the gateway to working towards strengthening the self-reliance of local communities.

Agricultural value chains and food security

TSF supports food production and processing as sustainable drivers of food security and self-reliance. Field crops, greenhouse cultivation, small-scale livestock projects and food processing units (UTANIS in Spanish) help to make the most of local resources and expertise. These initiatives, often led by women, promote access to healthy and varied food whilst creating economic opportunities and fostering social inclusion. Support for processing complements production and is embedded in a circular approach, from farm to fork.

Local economic development and inclusive entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is a natural extension of production and processing activities. Even on a small scale, it involves completing the value chain by supporting local initiatives right through to marketing. TSF supports projects led by women and young people – whether in processing, crafts or other areas – by offering flexible and progressive support. The aim is to equip participants so that they can sell their products, generate income and strengthen their economic independence in the long term.

Integrated management of water and agricultural ecosystems

Against a backdrop of prolonged drought, access to water is a key issue for agriculture and health in the country. TSF is developing practices that promote rainwater retention and soil regeneration, notably through the construction of half-moon-shaped ditches and the establishment of agroforestry systems. These measures reduce erosion, improve soil fertility and support more sustainable agricultural production, thereby contributing to a more diverse diet and better health.