Julio César Morales and his Commitment to the Future of Children
The ‘New Dawn for Children’ Foundation and its Struggle for the Future of Cerro Rico
The «New Dawn for Children» Foundation (FUNAM) was founded by Julio César Morales Zambrana, a former miner committed to improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable in Bolivia. With Bolivian state license No. 379/2017, FUNAM works to provide support not only to children living and working in Cerro Rico, but also to those in rural and rural communities, where needs are equally urgent.
Be means of small
Through concrete and sustainable actions, the FUNAM Foundation works to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable communities, from the children of Cerro Rico to the rural families of southwest Potosí.
The Foundation's effort
The effort of the foundation seeks that, beyond poverty and difficulties, there is a ray of light that illuminates the hopes of those who need it most.
Poverty and sacrifice are daily bread
They are the daily bread, the «New Dawn for Children» Foundation (FUNAM) stands as a bridge between two worlds. Its mission is not only to be a channel of intercultural dialogue between tourists and the mining community, but to be the voice of those who, for generations, have lived under the shadow of the silver mountain.
Julio Morales Zambrana
Founder of FUNAM
misSión
Through sustainable tourism, FUNAM seeks to open new doors to a future of harmony with nature, where work and education become the seeds of a better life.
visión
Our mission extends beyond mines, also encompassing rural communities and promoting environmental conservation
How will we achieve Change Transformation Progress .
Transforming Lives through FUNAM
Commitment of Julio César Morales Zambrana
How did Julio César Morales get involved in the FUNAM foundation?
Julio César Morales, a former miner and tour guide, founded the Mining and Tourism Foundation «New Dawn for Children» (FUNAM) with the conviction of giving something back to the community that saw him grow up. Having worked in the mines of Cerro Rico, he understood firsthand the harshness of this reality. Her experience with GREENGO TOURS allowed her to see tourism as a tool to generate a real social impact on mining families and rural communities.
What motivated Julio to create projects that benefit mining children and families?
Touring the mines and villages of southwestern Bolivia, Julio witnessed extreme poverty, lack of resources, and the absence of educational opportunities for children. Many are forced to work from a very young age, putting their health and future at risk. For this reason, FUNAM seeks to break this cycle through education, health and sustainable development programs.
What makes Julio's approach to FUNAM unique?
FUNAM is distinguished by its focus on sustainable tourism, which not only enriches the visitor experience, but also finances community projects. Through GREENGO TOURS, part of the resources are allocated to education, health, access to drinking water and renewable energies in mining and rural communities. The foundation also works actively in the conservation of the region’s natural parks, protecting their ecosystems and promoting the responsible use of resources.
These figures :
🎥 Click here to watch it and be part of the change.
Knowing these stories is the first step to transforming lives. 🌟
Miners work in
extreme conditions, risking their lives daily for a minimum income for their families.
Of the mining sons
they drop out of school before completing basic education due to lack of financial resources.
Children work in the
mines as porters, some as young as 12-14 years old, facing unimaginable dangers to support their families.
Years of life
The life expectancy of a miner in Potosí is only 45 years, much lower than the national average, due to respiratory diseases and accidents in the mines.
Transparency and Commitment to Our Community
All donated funds are used responsibly, and every action we take is clearly informed and detailed.
We file our financial reports annually and are always available to answer any questions you may have about how your contributions are used.
Your donation changes lives and builds .
Let's make it possible!
Impact of FUNAM's donations >>>>>>>
Donations to FUNAM have a direct and transformative impact on the lives of children, mining families, and communities in Cerro Rico. Thanks to the support of generous people like you, we have managed to fund essential education, health and safety projects. Not only do these programs give children the opportunity to receive a quality education, but they also allow families to access health care and improve working conditions for miners, who have historically lived in precarious conditions.
YOUR DONATION CAN:
- Give children a tomorrow: Buy books, uniforms and pencils so that the children of miners can dream of a better future.
- Relieving a mother's pain: Offering medical care and medication for families who do not have access to basic care.
- Protect a worker's life: Improve safety conditions in mines, avoiding unnecessary accidents and tragedies.
It’s very simple! You can make your donation by clicking on the button above that says «Donate». Every contribution, big or small, will be a ray of hope for children and families who struggle every day. Thank you for joining this change.
Of course! We accept donations of clothing, school supplies, or any resources that may be helpful. These contributions are just as valuable and reach those who need it most. Write to us to coordinate and get your help through.
Get to know the FUNAM Blog
On the FUNAM blog, Julio César Morales shares his experience as a founder and his vision on how responsible tourism can transform mining communities. Through moving stories, Julio shows how, with everyone's support, the lives of the inhabitants of Cerro Rico are being improved. Julio also participates in a documentary about Cerro Rico that has won 18 international awards, showing the reality of the miners and their hope for a better future. Through 'Greengo Tours', it generates resources for FUNAM's educational and social projects, demonstrating how tourism can be a tool for change. Julio también participa en un documental sobre Cerro Rico que ha ganado 18 premios internacionales, mostrando la realidad de los mineros y su esperanza de un futuro mejor. A través de 'Greengo Tours', genera recursos para los proyectos educativos y sociales de FUNAM, demostrando cómo el turismo puede ser una herramienta de cambio.
Explore Blog
- THE MINERS OF CERRO RICO – PART 1
The first part of an in-depth series about the miners of Cerro Rico, showing their struggles, stories and sacrifices as they search for silver in one of the most dangerous mines in the world.
- Heavy breathing on death mountain
A shocking story about a group of Austrian students who create a documentary about Bolivia's mines
- An analysis by Julio on the uncle of the mines
Julio César Morales Zambrana, a researcher and scholar of the mining culture of Potosí, has addressed in his work the figure of the Uncle, a deity feared and venerated inside the mines
- Working where the sun never shines
A powerful article in the newspaper that captures life in Bolivia's mines, where miners work in extreme conditions, in places so dark that it seems like sunlight never touches the earth.
- In a Bolivian mine: In search of silver in the cursed mountain
A story about how miners risk their lives in Cerro Rico in search of silver, in a dangerous environment full of challenges, where each step could be the last.
TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE!
Get to know GREENGO TOURS and Support the Cerro Rico Community
Click here to start your journey with purpose and be part of the change
By joining us, you'll not only be part of a fascinating story, but also part of the change we're building together. Visit the GREENGO TOURS website and join us on this transformative adventure. Your support can make all the difference!
Every time you choose to explore Cerro Rico, Salar de Uyuni, Eduardo Avaroa Reserve (REA), Laguna Colorada, Laguna Verde, and all of southwestern Potosi with GREENGO TOURS, you are not only living a unique experience in the heart of Bolivia's mining history, but you are also directly contributing to a real change in the lives of children, women and men from the most vulnerable communities in the region. GREENGO TOURS, in collaboration with FUNAM, turns every tour into an act of solidarity. Your curiosity and desire to explore the incredible landscapes of Potosí are transformed into tangible support for those who need it most. By choosing these tours, you are not only discovering Bolivia's natural and cultural beauty, but you are also helping to fund education, health, and sustainable development programs for the region's mining and rural communities. GREENGO TOURS, en colaboración con FUNAM, convierte cada recorrido en un acto de solidaridad. Tu curiosidad y deseo de explorar los increíbles paisajes de Potosí se transforman en apoyo tangible para quienes más lo necesitan. Al elegir estos tours, no solo estás descubriendo la belleza natural y cultural de Bolivia, sino que también estás ayudando a financiar programas de educación, salud y desarrollo sostenible para las comunidades mineras y rurales de la región.
Your Help Can Make a Difference With each donation you help to provide Clothes Useful Financial support hope
You can use your donation to transform lives, whether it’s through clothing, school supplies, money, or any other form of support you wish to offer.
Dignity for the miners, justice for Potosí, hope for the future. Together, we change stories." – FUNAM, GREENGO TOURS & Julio
Join and Stay Informed
Follow Us and Be Part of the Change
FUNAM was born out of a commitment to the miners and their families, out of a desire for justice for those who have given their lives to work in Cerro Rico. Through educational projects, social support and awareness-raising, we seek a real and lasting impact. We cannot change the past, but together we can write a future where mining does not mean exploitation, but an opportunity for a dignified life. Join us in this fight.
In the bowels of Cerro Rico, where work is hard and life uncertain, hope continues to beat. FUNAM, together with GREENGO TOURS and Julio, fights for a bigger cause: to give a voice to those who have been forgotten, to support miners and their families, and to build a future where dignity is not a privilege, but a right. Every action counts, every help transforms. Let’s be part of the change.