AGRECOL TREES: Maria Cristina Male Guardians’ Approach

Esther Tarifa Gomez

June 9, 2026

The María Cristina Center is directly administered by the Departmental Service of Social Policies (S.E.D.E.P.O.S). It is a public institution of the department of Cochabamba that administers several centers with vulnerable populations whose rights are protected by Bolivian state laws. However, this does not mean that there are no needs, especially during these times of austerity in the country. There are different adolescents and young people with various types of physical, mental, psychological, auditory, and visual disabilities, who are the direct guardians of the planted fruit trees.

The María Cristina Male and Female Center has two headquarters, both located in the municipality of Colcapirhua, Quillacollo, department of Cochabamba.

Since 2021, the work has been carried out by the male Center, but in the beginning of 2026, the new administration took a different direction and things started to change by involving the female Center in the activities as well.

In 2021, an invitation was sent by the Directorate to participate in a meeting regarding urban garden projects within the Center facilities. One year later, Mr. Mark Miller visited the Center to propose the planting of fruit trees, which represent great support for the adolescent and youth population.

At first, this project was something new for the young people and adolescents of the Centers; therefore, Mr. Miller shared anecdotes about what happened in the field and the improvements achieved in the participation of the youth in the planting activities, through which they acquired skills in planting, digging holes, fertilizing, and watering, while also taking part in the registration of the saplings and their respective guardians.

One of the adolescents was really engaged in helping with the tree registration process, especially because he used to deliver the sapling to his girlfriend… who belongs to the female Center, and they were able to share activities and spend more time together. After all, giving a plant as a gift is an emotional moment …

Figure 1: Guests of the Center, while taking care of the plants. Author 2026.

Since 2021, the María Cristina Center in Cochabamba has planted fruit trees, involving youth with disabilities as guardians, fostering skills and community.

TAGS: bolivia, agrecol trees, sustainability

Likewise, caring for trees, such as watering or weeding, has a therapeutic and responsibility-building effect, which is favorable for maintaining it as a weekly activity. In the same way, certain needs are already being observed, such as organic fumigation, which is seen as a need requiring the incorporation of training workshops.

The tree guardians made experience in taking care of their seedlings, first, and plants then, realizing that water scarcity in this institution was – and still is – an issue to take account of. Indeed, at some point drought endangered the lives of the trees.

As well, the current issue concerns the raising of chickens, which are growing at the Centers eating the leaves of the trees. Although, this situation has been brought under control promptly.

It is important to become aware through these publications of each of the institutions with which work is carried out and where the contributions of the saplings are directed, improving the quality of life of the members of the local community. Sharing and spreading this information helps increase followers and grow the community of tree guardians, while also motivating others to replicate this support.

Cover and preview image: Meeting with the Tree Guardians. Author, 2026

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