Tahuichi Academy
What is the Tahuichi Academy?
Tahuichi is a world-renowned youth soccer academy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, sponsored by the Tahuichi USA Children’s Foundation. The Tahuichi Academy was formally organized on May 1st, 1978 by Eng. Rolando Aguilera Pareja as a private sports institution with no personal economic interests. A place dedicated to children's recreation and the development of the basics of soccer.
What does Tahuichi mean?
In the regional Chiriguano Indian language "Tahuichi" means "Big Bird". That was the nickname of Mr. Aguilera's father (himself a famous international) in whose honor the Academy was founded. The first students were sons Roly Jr. and Erwin Aguilera but soon there were hundreds of applicants from around the country. The first coach was the former Brazilian international "Dede".
Did anyone famous go to Tahuichi?
Since its inception, Tahuichi has created some of the finest young talents. Players like Platini Sanchez (Benfica Portugal), Marco Etcheverry (DC United USA), Jaime Moreno (MetroStars USA), Joselito Vaca (Dallas Burn USA), Juan Peña (Villarreal Spain), Ko Ishikawa (Yarimuri Japan), and Raul Medeiros (BK Hacken Sweden). Many more have received full-ride college scholarships mostly in the USA including North Carolina State, Long Island University, University of South Carolina, FIU, and Pan American University.
How many professionals soccer players did Tahuichi produce?
More than 200 Tahuichi players have played in the Bolivian Professional League. Over 230 players compete in the various National Select Teams. What started as just a few kids trying to keep the family soccer tradition going has blossomed into one of the most beautiful and fascinating stories in soccer history.
What is the Tahuichi USA Children’s Foundation?
Tahuichi now has over 3000 children, boys and girls, in age groups from Under-5 to Under-19. Since 1978, more than 150,000 children have passed through its doors. Today, winning international tournaments and developing international caliber players are not the only reasons for Tahuichi's existence. Originally developed as a soccer institution, Tahuichi has since transformed into a socio-cultural institution.
Is Tahuichi only about developing professional soccer players?
Absoletly not! Through soccer, Tahuichi emphasizes "hard work and organization" to develop highly motivated successful citizens. While only a small fraction of Tahuichi graduates make it to soccer's elite level, all are taught a "positive winning attitude". Along with two hours of daily soccer instruction, the academy provides basic health and nutrition. Most of the children who come to Tahuichi are malnourished and poverty-stricken. Many are disadvantaged, living in the streets, and orphaned. Tahuichi teaches soccer and gives the children a chance at a better life.
How is Tahuichi funded?
Since 90% of the over 3,000 children that go to the academy do not pay a cent, money has historically come from outside sources such as contributions through the non-profit Tahuichi USA Children's Foundation. These funds cover operating costs including a staffed emergency clinic.
Did the U.S. Embassy help?
As part of its drug use prevention program, the U.S. Embassy's Narcotics Affairs Division (NAS) presented school supplies, soccer balls, vitamins, toothpaste, and toothbrushes to over 1000 children, most of them from low-income families who are students at Tahuichi Aguilera Soccer Academy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The NAS Director in Bolivia presented the donation and highlighted that the consistent practice of sports and drug use prevention are the perfect combination to keep children away from drugs, crime, and gangs.
How can I help?
There are several ways to help the academy. The easiest is a financial donation made through the Tahuichi USA Children’s Foundation – a U.S. based non-profit foundation. All contributions go directly to the academy (100%). Any amount will help tremendously.
What are in-kind donations?
In-kind donations are non-monetary contributions in the form of goods or services, rather than cash. The Foundation will take care of delivering (100%) to the academy. The academy can always use new or used equipment whether or not it is soccer-related. Some examples include:
- Soccer shoes, balls, clothing, cones, and other training equipment
- Sport medical equipment, i.e. braces and supports, ultrasound, and rehab equipment
- Medical diagnosis equipment and supplies (thermometers, etc.)
- Office equipment including computers
- Video equipment including video editing equipment
- Suplemental nutrition supplies
- School supplies (pencils, paper, books)
- A school bus. Nothing fancy, just a reliable yellow school bus
For more information on in-kind donations, email us.
Can I sponsor a child?
Absolutely! If you would like to get more personal, you can sponsor a child. For only $15 monthly, you can give a poor child the chance to have a future. Through soccer, the Tahuichi children have the chance to achieve success whether they decide to turn professional or not. Tahuichi's principal objective is to promote and stimulate youth soccer as healthy recreation and preventive action against such societal risks as drugs and alcoholism. The children can be selected by you or picked for you out of the students who attend the academy. If you desire, these children will keep you informed of their achievements in Tahuichi through correspondence. The recommended age would be between 3 and 14 years old.
What is the Villa del Niño Feliz Tahuichi project?
Lastly, the academy is seeking contributions to build a soccer field complex/health clinic slated to be called "Villa del Niño Feliz Tahuichi" (Home of the Happy Child "Tahuichi").
As part of a special long-term land-lease arrangement with the City of Santa Cruz, Tahuichi was given 24 hectares of land located in a strategic urban zone. On this land, Tahuichi hopes to build their "field of dreams"—the Villa del Niño Feliz Tahuichi. Completing construction of this home is a big aspiration of the Tahuichi Academy. It would allow all the children to have a place they can call home. A place where they know they can go every day and feel like they belong. Fields and playing grounds where they could practice sport supported by an adequate infrastructure they have never had.
The plan calls for the construction of basic administrative and sport facilities surrounded by ecological-friendly landscaping complementary to the theme of the "Happy Child Tahuichi". The Master Plan of the Home of the Happy Child "Tahuichi" specifies the following:
- Final Architectural and Engineering designs
- Administration Medical and Board of Directors Building plus the Trophy Room
- The Coaches Building and Conference Room
- Handicapped Children's Shelter and Training Facility
- Dormitories for Scholarship Players
- Gymnasium
- Watchman's Lodge
- Kitchen and Snack Facilities
- Laundry Room—a very large laundry room
- Mini Tahuichi Stadium (to showcase the Mundialito Paz y Unidad Under-15 International Tournament)
- Soccer Fields (8 Full Size and 1 mini field). 2 Fields with lights
- Perimeter Wall—need to keep the cows out
Once the Home of the Happy Child "Tahuichi" is completely constructed, because of Santa Cruz's privileged climate and altitude (460 meters above sea level), 5000 children could play soccer the whole year round.
In addition to the healthy recreation of children through the practice of soccer, Tahuichi plans to use the Home of the Happy Child "Tahuichi" as a center for social and community activities, promoting national and international "unity" by taking advantage of the geographical location of Santa Cruz situated in the heart of South America.
Making the Home of the Happy Child "Tahuichi" a reality is going to require sizeable contributions. Or maybe you know someone, who knows someone, who can provide the heavy equipment and/or raw materials needed to complete construction or phases of construction. Whatever it is, we can sure use your help.
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