Nelvy Cáceres. World Vision Bolivia and community health workers in Bolivia: a historical reflection

Abstract

Dr. Nelvy Cáceres was a key figure in the development of the work with health promoters at World Vision Bolivia (WVB). Since joining in 1989, Nelvy has been involved in multiple stages of this effort, playing key roles in the training of health promoters, management of water and sanitation projects, and training in healthy and nutritional practices. Since 1983, WVB has been developing programmes and projects with a multidisciplinary approach and focused on the well-being and quality of life of the most vulnerable children, families and communities in rural, peri-urban and urban areas of Bolivia. WVB has fought against inequality and injustice with the aim of transforming the conditions of vulnerability of its inhabitants, together with local leaders, authorities and communities. The first decade of WVB's work was linked to the work of local evangelical churches, which served as administrators of community programmes that directly supported children. The second decade was characterised by transformative development in health, education, agro-ecology and community leadership, emergency preparedness and justice promotion, strengthening the resilience and capacity of communities and partners to respond to current and future challenges to child well-being, including disaster response. In this narrated interview, Nelvy takes a historical look at WVB's work with health promoters and reflects on their future and challenges as agents of change in the Bolivian context.