Asociación Sendas
Empowering young women from rural areas with high-quality education and vocational training
Asociación Sendas 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
To donate by check:
Make check out to American Initiatives for Social Development with the memo line “Asociación Sendas” and send to:
American Initiatives for Social Development
PO Box 1670
New York, NY 10156-1670
Las Retamas Rural Vocational High School
Empowering young women from rural areas with high-quality education and vocational training
Challenges for Young Women in Rural Areas
Young women in rural areas face significant barriers to education due to limited access to technology, distance from cultural centers, and inadequate public transportation.
For over 17 years, Las Retamas has been dedicated to supporting and empowering this underserved demographic in rural areas of Maipú in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina. Las Retamas high school is part of the Pedro Antonio Marzano Foundation (https://fundacionmarzano.org.ar).
Our aim is to help these young women complete their secondary education and to provide specialized vocational training in agriculture, food security and entrepreneurship. This training helps them overcome the constraints of poverty and limited opportunities prevalent in rural and agricultural settings.
Short and Long-Term Impact
Our efforts have yielded tangible results. We have a graduation rate exceeding 90%, far surpassing the national average of 50 to 60%.
Currently, we enroll approximately 90 students per year, from about 85 different families. Our impact extends beyond the direct beneficiaries, reaching an estimated 1,000 indirect beneficiaries annually.
A distinguishing feature of Las Retamas' academic program is the hands-on practicum. These immersive opportunities involve relocating classrooms to local centers of production and commerce, including wineries, shops, and health centers. Here, students engage in a variety of tasks for a total of 300 hours annually. This hands-on approach is pivotal for developing the fundamental skills required for a successful transition into the workforce.
Graduating students receive a High School Diploma in Agriculture and Environment. We aim to prepare responsible young people committed to the sustainable development of their community's natural and agricultural environment.
A Comprehensive Approach
We pursue a comprehensive approach to education, fostering academic excellence while equipping young women with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their communities.
Las Retamas is committed to improving the lives and futures of young women from rural areas, ensuring they have the opportunities and support they need to succeed.
We provide additional help to students through:
A pedagogical system of integral human formation and practical experiences designed to strengthen the academic and professional performance of each student.
Tutoring.
Collaboration with and support for the students’ families, recognizing their key role in the education process.
Food assistance to ensure that our students have their basic needs covered.
Be Part of the Solution
Scholarship Program. Help a student!
With your donation of $180 annually ($15 monthly), you support the academic trajectory of a student for one year.
Infrastructure Program.
Support the building improvements and the construction of the laboratory and production factory. A donation of $1000 contributes to 1 square meter (3.3 square feet) of the new lab and production factory.
To donate by check:
Make check out to American Initiatives for Social Development with the memo line “Las Retamas” and send to:
American Initiatives for Social Development
PO Box 1670
New York, NY 10156-1670