SANTA ANA : Bolivia’s First Lady Fund-Raises for Kids

Ximena Iturralde de Sanchez de Lozada, the first lady of Bolivia, met with city and county officials on Friday as part of her fund-raising trip to aid impoverished children in her country.

During an hourlong reception at the Hall of Administration, Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez and City Councilman Robert L. Richardson welcomed De Lozada, who called on local residents to contribute money and medical supplies to ease the suffering of children in Bolivia.

“The children are poor, and we need help from people here who have more to give and who have love in their hearts. Our children are our present and our future. They need help from all of us,” she said.

About 25% of the children born in Bolivia die before their first birthday. Malnutrition, unsafe drinking water and communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and diphtheria are responsible for many of those deaths, said officials for Ayuda al Nino Boliviano, the Help for Bolivian Children organization which is coordinating the fund-raising drive.

Feeding a child in Boliva costs about $3 a day, and money raised during de Lozada’s visit is expected to help thousands of youngsters, said Cora Rivero-Jackson, president of the nonprofit Ayuda al Nino Boliviano.

De Lozada said that money for education is also crucial in a country in which 67% of the population over 15 are illiterate. “That is the reason we need to raise funds. I want to really help my country,” she said.

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to: Ayuda al Nino Boliviano, 23556 St. Elena, Mission Viejo, Calif. 92691. For more information, call (714) 586-0677.