"The idea is for the Croatian community to do something for children in a village, to brighten their Christmas and help those in need," said local Croatian missionary Ivica Vrbić.
This was the third year the Croatian community organised the drive, bringing sweets, toys, new and used clothing, medicines, toothbrushes and toothpaste, used school supplies, and around $1,000 in cash donations to the Croatian centre in Santa Cruz.
The collected items were delivered to Puesto Fernandez Alonzo, 94 km away, in the Barrio Guarani neighbourhood. The neighbourhood, resembling a village, was formed by people from across Bolivia who came seasonally to work on the sugarcane fields. Until last year, the area had no brick houses; people lived in tents and makeshift homes of scrap metal and crates. Nearly two years after settling, they are now building small brick homes.
Croatians organised a meal for 150 people, largely funded by Croatian honorary consul Robert Jakubek, the initiative's founder.
"We want to help build a better society and enhance the reputation of Croatians and Croatia in Bolivia," Vrbić said.
According to the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, around 5,000 people of Croatian descent live in Bolivia, even though some estimates suggest the number could be twice as high.
Vrbić's mission covers 23 Bolivian villages, and the Croatian community aims to hold a Christmas charity event in a different village each year.
"Local people come, we socialise, have a joint mass or prayer, and share a meal. Our consul provides the funds for the meal, and this time it was a lovely gathering of 150 people," Vrbić said. "We try to bring hope and optimism to those who need it most."