Raul's story

Cochabamba, Bolivia

Like so many other street children in Cochabamba, Raul was vulnerable and desperate, with no one to take care of him and no control over his future. At the age of 10, his whole life changed when he met a Toybox street worker. Raul was encouraged him to join Jireh, a Toybox-supported project in Cochabamba. He reflects: “I remember that one day a young man came to me and told me about God. He then invited me to Project Jireh. I thought about my life and what would happen to me if I continued living on the streets so I decided to go with him to Jireh.”

Jireh has had an amazing effect on the rest of his life. Raul reminisces: “I really liked the food, and the teachers were very patient with me because I was really naughty. I had lots of fun and I loved participating in the sports´ camps, especially the soccer camp. One time, our team became the champions and our prize was to eat at a local restaurant. The coach was always encouraging and once even asked me to lead the team. Project Jireh was the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

When Raul was older, he developed a neck tumour. With the financial and psychological support of the project, Raul was able to access chemotherapy treatment and fully recovered from his illness. He says: “God gave me a second chance and He never left me alone. He was there in the many people that supported and helped me to get ahead. With God we can accomplish anything.”

Today, Raul is a successful 23-year-old working at a local school, having graduated from college as a Sports and P.E. Teacher. He aspires to create a football school for young people from Red Alert Cochabamba, and to continue studying so that he can work for the Bolivian Ministry of Education. He says: “I want to create good students and people who reach their full potential in both their studies and their lives. I want them to know that God is always with them.”