Last year, Opticos made a donation to the Hogar Sagrado Corazón orphanage and school in Montero, Bolivia where Opticos designer Melia West spent a year volunteering before joining the company in 2012. The money was specified for construction projects as part of Opticos’s B Corp goals, and went toward the construction of a ballet room and the renovation of the infirmary. Melia recently traveled back to Bolivia to visit the orphanage, and brought back these pictures of ongoing construction projects.
Above, part of Opticos’s donation went toward construction of a covered space for drying clothes. Below, two more views of the same completed space.
The next image shows another drying area adjacent to the above space, as well as additional construction currently underway.
Above, the ballet room completed earlier this year. The mirrors and finished floors are a recent installation. Ballet is used as a way to build bone structure—a result of poor nutrition—and increase self-esteem.
Below, a shower stall and sinks in the new dormitory bathrooms.
Above, the newly renovated infirmary, which now includes running water!
Below, two young Hogar residents show of a mural that brightens the dormitory for girls aged 10 to 13.
Above, a new mural in the dormitory for girls aged five to 10 years old. Both this room, and the dormitory for girls aged 12 to 18 years (below) got new roofs in 2011 and 2012. Before the renovations, the roofs had been dilapidated due to an insect infestation and water damage.
Above, an example of mold damage due to rainwater in an after-school study room.
Below, ongoing construction to add a second floor to the recreation room. The space will be used to house visiting volunteers.
Sister Rosario is currently seeking donations to hire a music teacher. The school already has a music room an a variety of instruments, and she hopes to build an orchestra. For more information, or if you would like to help support the Hogar Sagrado Corazón for that, or any other effort, visit their website.
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