By Mauricio Castillo Cortes, Unit Communicator, Bolivia (Province of Bolivia / Chile)

During April 2025, the Safeguarding Team of the Province of Bolivia/Chile carried out several training initiatives to strengthen a culture of care, dignity, and safe environments across communities and ministries. These activities, held both in-person and virtually, involved teachers, safeguarding focal points, provincial leaders, and other key stakeholders from different regions.

Visit and Training in Ovalle

On April 10, the Santa Eufrasia School in Ovalle, Chile, hosted a training visit for nearly 100 teachers, aimed at promoting nurturing and respectful environments. During the session, the updated Safeguarding Policy materials for children aged 8 to 11 were officially introduced.

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all who conceived, designed, and helped bring to life the adapted materials for Children and Adolescents. We have no doubt they will bear much fruit in our province and throughout the Congregation,” shared one of the participants.

At the end of the session, a moment of thanksgiving was held with the team responsible for adapting the policy — comprising nine members of the school — alongside key safeguarding personnel Francisca López and Verónica Reyes.

Provincial Safeguarding Meeting with Contact Persons

On Friday, April 11, a virtual training session via Zoom brought together 27 safeguarding contact persons from ministries and communities in Bolivia and Chile, along with the three province key safeguarding leads.

One participant spoke of how “thanks to the training, I now see that it’s everyone’s responsibility to create safe and protective environments.”

The session reinforced safeguarding policy guidelines, welcomed new members, and worked through practical case studies to strengthen how complex situations are discerned and responded to.

Training on the Congregational Code of Conduct

On Monday, April 14, a formation and update session was held for key safeguarding personnel from Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. The training, led by Sr. Carolina Madariaga, brought together nine representatives, including Unit Leader Sr. Sandra Suárez Cordero.

The goal was to deepen understanding of the Congregational Code of Conduct with the intention of replicating the training across additional communities and ministries.

Launch of the Sixth Safeguarding Video Capsule

On Thursday, April 17 — Holy Thursday — the sixth Safeguarding Video Capsule was launched, focusing on addressing human conflict. This material, produced in collaboration with the Provincial Communications Center and recorded by Francisca López and Carolina Tello, was distributed via mobile messaging, email, and the province website. It was also shared with other units, solidifying its value as a powerful training and awareness-raising tool.

You can watch the video below:

Access the other five capsules here: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfkosoGhhQZiL-ZETV9ewhVL5UdgPx9e2