The Story Behind the Name
When I was a child, my grandparents would return from Bolivia carrying more than suitcases—they brought back stories. They spoke of vibrant markets filled with handmade crafts and the laughter of family gathered around long tables. But they also told me about children who had nothing—children who walked barefoot through dusty roads, children who longed for notebooks, backpacks, and a place to learn.
Even as a little kid, I couldn’t forget those stories. I would gather small toys and clothes and send them back with my grandparents, hoping they’d land in the hands of someone who needed them. That early instinct—to do something, even if small—never left me.
Years later, that desire grew into Luz y Letras.
Bolivia is a country rich in culture and community. It is home to the largest Indigenous population in Latin America, with over two-thirds of the population identifying as Indigenous, and 37 official languages spoken across the nation. Its beauty is undeniable, but so are the challenges many of its people face. Bolivia remains one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Nearly 40% of its population lives in poverty, and children bear the brunt of that burden.
Schools are often underfunded or difficult to access in rural and underserved areas. Many students walk miles just to reach a classroom that may not have books, electricity, or even a teacher. Some drop out early to work and support their families. Others never enroll at all.
My aunt is a psychologist in Bolivia who works with orphaned and at-risk children. She introduced me to Centro de Acogida José Soria, a children’s shelter in Cochabamba. The kids there had faced unimaginable hardship—loss, instability, hunger—but what struck me most was their spirit. Despite everything, they were full of curiosity, creativity, and hope. What they needed was a chance.
That’s where Luz y Letras began—not as a large organization, but as a promise. A promise to those children that someone saw them. That someone believed in their light.
The name means “Light and Letters” in Spanish, and it captures everything we stand for.
Luz, or “light,” represents the strength, joy, and resilience these children carry inside them. Even through adversity, they shine. Our mission is to nurture that light through kindness, opportunity, and the belief that their future can be brighter.
Letras, or “letters,” represent the foundation of our work: education. Letters build words, words build knowledge, and knowledge builds futures. By supporting literacy in Spanish and helping students develop their academic skills, we’re giving them the tools to grow, dream, and write the next chapter of their lives.
At Luz y Letras, we don’t believe in quick fixes. We believe in lasting, tangible change. We’re working to provide school supplies, books, and learning support to the children of Centro de Acogida José Soria while also creating an environment that values their emotional well-being and cultural identity. These children don’t just need education; they must also be reminded that they matter.
Every pencil, book, and dollar goes toward building a future where these kids can thrive. When children are given the chance to learn, they don’t just succeed in school—they become leaders in their communities, advocates for their peers, and symbols of what’s possible.
I started this journey as a little girl, sending hand-me-down toys to kids I’d never met. Today, I carry those same children in my heart—only now, I know their names, their dreams, and just how much they can achieve with a little light and a few letters.
This is the story of Luz y Letras. And I hope you’ll be part of the next chapter.
