In 2024, Fondazione Pesenti renewed its support for the Institute of the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Rosary of Melegnano, reaffirming its commitment to education and the well-being of young people living in particularly challenging conditions.
Among the initiatives supported is the Residencia Estudiantil Virgen del Santo Rosario, a facility located 4,000 meters above sea level on the Andean plateau in Bolivia, in the small village of Tujsuma. Each year, the Residencia welcomes around 75 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 18, coming from remote and isolated communities who would otherwise be forced to walk for hours to reach the only school in the area.
In operation since 2007, the facility was created in response to an appeal from the Bishop of the local Church and has become a vital resource in the fight against school dropout. The Residencia hosts students from Monday to Friday, offering them a safe and dignified environment, full meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner), educational support, and overnight supervision.
The State provides limited assistance with food supplies, while families contribute to the extent of their means—often offering only a few potatoes or bundles of firewood. All other expenses, such as healthcare (entirely paid out-of-pocket), staff salaries, maintenance, and utilities, are covered through donations and the solidarity of those who support the project.
Looking ahead, the goal is to promote scholarships for the most deserving young people so they can pursue university studies in Cochabamba, the regional hub for higher education. However, for many families, this remains an unattainable goal without meaningful support.