“What would giving a little more do?”
Yapay Bolivia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Bolivia by improving education and healthcare access for women, children, and families in need. Founded in 2016, we remain a zero-overhead charity, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to programs that make a real impact.
We are proud to support programs led by Bolivians, who understand their communities’ needs best and make these life-changing initiatives possible. Through our partnerships, we help fund scholarships for survivors of domestic violence, provide education for children in low-income families and orphanages, and assist in building classrooms in remote communities, ensuring that women and children from many communities have access to quality learning opportunities.
At the same time, we support healthcare initiatives that reach poverty-stricken areas, including rural outreach programs, telehealth services, and hospital equipment for underserved populations. With a special focus on infants and mothers, these programs support vulnerable families and provide the resources they need for a healthier future. In Quechua, “yapay” means “give a little more”—and by standing with these local leaders and changemakers, we are helping to create lasting change for generations to come.
Local Bolivian Leaders
Meet the Team Making it Possible
Meet the Team Making it Possible
DJ Belnap
Deven Curtis
Derek Larsen
Jacqui Larsen
Lance Larsen
Katie Hale
Kerri Mills
Rachel Fisk
Ariana Rojas
Aaron McDonald
Bethanie Knighton
Derek Larsen
Danny Rodriguez
Samir Mayhua
Rogelio Figueroa
Nelli Crofts
Megan Petersen
Julia Taylor
Ainsley Taylor
Ashtyn Garrett
Sandra Taylor
Linda Lino
Amy Keele
Jeremy Keele
Melanie Easthope
In September, 2017, the Yapay Bolivia Foundation received the Outstanding Neighbor Award at the East Bench Business Association breakfast for its recent donation of $30,000 of new medical equipment to a hospital serving the poor in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Thank you to Yalecrest Homes for giving Yapay Bolivia the opportunity to talk about improving the health and well-being of poverty-stricken Bolivian women and children.
In the Spring 2021 issue, Y Magazine featured our four incredible founders—BYU graduates and former missionaries in Cochabamba, Bolivia—and their journey in launching Yapay Bolivia. The article titled “Give A Little More” shares how their love for Bolivia led them to create a this nonprofit to improve healthcare and education for impoverished women and children.
In the Fall 2024 issue, an article titled “Helping the Helpers” highlighted how BYU’s Project Evaluation and Assessment Team (PEAT) partnered with Yapay Bolivia to support nonprofits in Bolivia. Sociology students spent two weeks evaluating seven organizations, helping ensure resources are making the greatest impact. PEAT’s work provided valuable external feedback to Yapay Bolivia, strengthening efforts to support healthcare, education, and women’s empowerment.
Priding ourselves on being a zero-overhead charity and since our founding in 2016, 100% of all donations have gone directly to Bolivans who need it the most.
We empower women and children in Bolivia through healthcare and education initiatives to break the cycle of poverty and strengthen communities.