Sendas Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the holistic development of women and their families in Bolivia, through professional training, dignified employment opportunities, and a strong focus on food security—particularly through culinary-based projects.

Sendas leads innovative, sustainable programs that improve the personal and professional lives of women—particularly those from marginalized communities. We specifically support women of Aymara descent and others from rural and peri-urban areas who face limited access to education and employment.

Our Core Program: The CEFIM Technical Institute

CEFIM Technical Institute is Sendas’ flagship initiative. CEFIM uses an innovative dual training methodology that combines classroom instruction with hands-on internships in culinary businesses. Students gain both practical skills and soft skills aligned with real-world labor market demands.

The professional training offered by CEFIM includes:

A three-year degree in Gastronomic Services Administration
A range of short-term culinary specialization courses

Our Impact

– 5,000+ women have earned professional certifications through CEFIM.
– 100% of graduates report improved working and living conditions.

Scholarship Opportunities

To ensure equitable access, Sendas offers a variety of scholarships:

– Graduation Support Scholarship – Assists students in completing the final stages of their education
– Academic Boost Scholarship – Supports those returning to finish their education
– Entry Scholarship for Gastronomic Services Administration (dual modality): Enables women to enter this transformative program.
– We’re also developing new scholarship types for short-term, specialized courses, making flexible, skills-based education more accessible than ever.

Testimonies

Eunice Cáceres:
“After high school, I dreamed of studying gastronomy, but opportunities were scarce. Now, I’m funding my own education while growing a small business. The scholarship I received was key to help me start—it was an investment in my future, and I’m deeply grateful. It gave me access to quality education, broaden my career horizons, and improved my family’s quality of life. My dream is not only to succeed but to give back by creating employment for others.”

Silvia Eugenia Chui Poma:
“I’m a 36-year-old single mother of two boys, Miguel and Pedro. I used to work as a nanny, but when I lost that job, I knew I needed to take control of my future. The scholarship I received gave me the time and support I need to pursue professional growth and secure a better life for my children. It gave me hope, stability, and the strength to keep moving forward—not just for me, but for my entire community.”

How You Can Help

Your financial support directly changes lives. It helps women develop small businesses, complete technical training, and access competitively paid jobs. Many students must reduce work hours to attend classes. Scholarships bridge this gap, covering expenses during training and enabling long-term economic independence.

$60 helps a Bolivian woman of Aymara descent grow her small business and break the cycle of poverty.

$720/year fully funds a student’s education for three years, empowering her to pursue a professional culinary career.

To learn more visit: sendasbolivia.org

DONATE TO ASOCIACION SENDAS BY CHECK:

Checks made to American Initiatives for Social Development, memo line: Asocación Sendas, may be sent to:
American Initiatives for Social Development
PO Box 1670
New York, NY 10156-1670