Young people in Chipiriri, Bolivia, like their peers in many communities, face pressures that can leave them feeling disconnected from their faith and from a sense of purpose and community. Without structured opportunities for engagement, adolescence and early adulthood can become a period where young people drift away from parish life at precisely the time they most need guidance and belonging.
Maryknoll helps youth in Chipiriri grow as disciples and leaders through a range of programs, including retreats, educational workshops, sports activities, faith-sharing events, and leadership development opportunities. These varied formats are intended to meet young people where their interests lie, whether that means athletic competition, small-group faith sharing, or hands-on leadership roles within parish activities.
Forming young disciples and leaders reflects the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the Call to Family, Community, and Participation, inviting young people in Chipiriri to take an active role in shaping their parish’s future rather than remaining passive observers of it. This project also carries forward Maryknoll’s charism of forming missionary disciples, cultivating leadership and faith together so that today’s participants become tomorrow’s catechists and community leaders.
Gifts to this project support retreats, workshops, and leadership programs that help young people in Chipiriri build confidence, deepen their faith, and grow into the next generation of leaders for their parish and diocese.
