From Dalkey to Cochabamba: Br. Eddie McArdle’s journey to the Centro Hermano Manolo in Bolivia

2025 will mark 50 years of missionary work for Dublin-native Br. Eddie McArdle. Eddie was born and raised in Dalkey, and entered the Brothers in 1958. Over the years, Eddie has worked in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia — where he has been based for the last 16 years. When Eddie first arrived in Cochabamba, Bolivia, he encountered the harsh realities of the lives of street children, particularly around the city’s bus station and markets. Many families migrate from rural areas to the city with dreams of a better life, but often end up in overcrowded shacks on the city’s outskirts with no electricity or running water. These families typically speak Quechua, an indigenous language, which limits their job prospects in a largely Spanish-speaking city. Fathers take poorly paid construction jobs, while mothers sell produce on the streets. With such limited income, children must also work to help the family survive. Boys shine shoes and girls sell sweets or fruit. The children are exposed to constant threats from human traffickers and drug cartels, amongst many other dangers.

Eddie recalls the early days of working with these children, desperately trying to improve their lives. ‘It was two years of feeding them, healing them, and then burying them,’ he shared. ‘We couldn’t go on like that.’ Recognizing the need for a sustainable solution, he helped establish Centro Hermano Manolo 15 years ago.

Eddie’s team realized that for these children, working was a necessity. They created a safe space where kids could receive vital support while balancing school and work. Centro Hermano Manolo focuses on long-term support, guiding each child through school and beyond. The project has four main pillars:

• Personal development: The centre’s psychologists work individually with each child, helping them build social skills and setting achievable goals, like finishing each school year and having a Plan for Life.
• Academic support: They collaborate with teachers to prevent students from falling behind and to ensure steady progress in school.
• Family assistance: Social workers engage with parents, providing guidance on parenting skills and strategies to foster their children’s growth and resilience.
• Vocational training: The centre helps older children pursue technical training in fields like catering or electrical work with the goal of securing sustainable employment. Several have gone on to university.

One such success story is Hernan, a former street kid who shined shoes to survive. After Eddie encouraged him to visit the centre, Hernan received years of guidance and support, eventually enrolling in an electrical engineering programme. Today, he volunteers at the centre, motivated to inspire others. ‘I want to show them that they have a chance to change their lives, and want to help them just like the centre helped me.’ His journey is one of many: other former street children are now pursuing university degrees, forever grateful for the support the centre provided.

Eddie’s unwavering commitment to these children is truly inspiring. While many NGO workers are withdrawn during political unrest or global pandemics, Eddie has remained in Cochabamba ensuring the centre stays open. To the children, he’s more than a mentor; he’s a constant source of strength, embodying hope and resilience in the face of hardship. If you would like to support Eddie’s work at the Centro Hermano Manolo, please visit www.edmundricedevelopment.org/donate. Together, we can help support this life-changing work.