economic programs

El Hormigón Armado Newspaper is a bimonthly publication of 5,000 copies per issue sold in the city of La Paz by between 30 and 40 shoe shiners and young street workers. At 5bs per issue, 80% of the sale goes to the seller who assumes the commitments of the project such as participating in weekly workshops. 20% of the cost is for the management and administration of the different programs of Hormigón Armado, such as health and/or school support. This year 2023 we have started with the number 88.

The newspaper is a window for society into the lives of shoe shiners, street and working children and youth who contribute much of its content. It is published on relevant topics to this population, to human rights and, in particular, to the rights and problems of street and working children and adolescents. The objective is to promote their protection by society so that work does not become exploitation and does not threaten their dignity and adequate development.

Hormigón Armado Tours is a different kind of visit to the popular neighborhoods and markets of the city of La Paz - its focus is on popular daily life and local customs. The friendly guidance of those who know these areas like the back of their hand and whose experience, unique perspective and storytelling enriches the experience to a unique sharing.  The chaos, smells, flavors, scenes and scenarios are complemented in a unique offer that creates the conditions for an unforgettable visit. Comments from those who took the tour reaffirm our confidence that we have created a unique experience of great interest for foreign and national tourists.

​

Periódico Hormigón Armado, also conceived as a cultural newspaper by one of its main editorial lines, had its beginnings for several years in the environments and spaces of the Centro Cultural de la Fundacion Arte and Cultures Bolivians, which to this day serves as the legal umbrella of the larger and more diverse the larger and more diverse Proyecto Hormigón Armado. The cultural activity, as well as the defense of the cultural rights of all, is therefore inscribed in the essence of the Hormigón Armado, which now also opens little by little as a CULTURAL SPACE.

For a couple of years now, coming out of the pandemic quarantines, Hormigón Armado is located in the neighborhood of Bajo Seguencoma in the South Zone of La Paz: Manuel Iturri Street # 7597, behind the Gramadal court and Plaza de la Mujer. In these facilities the different programs of Hormigón, such as the Cookie Production and the different workshops, school support, etc. Also in this time it has been gradually opened to the public through some events and the social events undertakings of the Hormigón Armado Collective. For this purpose, we have an interesting and panoramic space on the third floor, semi-open air, suitable for these activities.

The Cookie Production Unit together with EBA is a program that is already more than 7 years old and was also forged with the support of Save the Children. This productive unit generates social work for up to 12 people, most of them women - mothers who come with their small children, in different shifts and under an order system provided by the EBA company. The cookies produced are for mother's allowance and / or school breakfast and depend on their contract from the State to EBA and also the quantity requested. The stability of this program therefore depends on the stability of EBA's and the contracts with the State.

The Cookie Production Unit generates resources by way of payment for production to the members of the Collective who participate in this program and also generates funds for certain expenses rent and utilities administrative expenses, in this case rent and services. This is as long as the product that is produced by the is required by the State and through EBA. On the other hand, this program of the Hormigón Armado has 2 industrial furnaces, the first of which was generated by Save the Children and the second was generated through the program; 2 mixers and 1 laminating machine obtained by obtained through our own savings and the necessary utensils, as well as work tables and other elements of the elements.

Over time, some other reinforced concrete products have been added to the newspaper, such as postcards, CD ́s and others. Some of these products come out in a more calendars or the comic book Heroes del Brillo (# 70 and # 84 of the newspaper). These products are maintained with funds or revolving capital, which is saved or regenerated for other social support.