Giving Thanks.

Thanksgiving has come and gone already, and I find myself really understanding the meaning of being thankful and realizing all the blessings I have received. This year, I am not only thankful for my family--my wonderful parents who have given me so much love and support, my grandparents, and uncles, aunts, cousins, and my amazing friends--but I am thankful for my Bolivian family. The girls and boys of Ninos con Valor have changed my life forever, and I love them all so. They have taught me important life lessons--bravery and loyalty, friendship and trust, but most importantly, how to love despite pain. For being so young, these kids are so wise.

I am also thankful for the opportunities I have had, including the time I have spent in Bolivia. I have learned so much about myself here in Cochabamba. I have learned how to face obstacles with strength and faith, extreme appreciation of what i have and have had, and unconditional love for the important people in my life--I wouldn't be who I am or where I am without you all.

This holiday season, as I spend time with the kids baking cookies and making advent calendars, I will appreciate the little moments that bring so much happiness and joy into my life. And, although I will be celebrating Christmas away from my family and friends, I will appreciate their love and send my love to them.

More than thankful for these girls--they have given me the chance to be an older sister, and help me to remember to laugh and not take life so seriously.
Oh, these boys keep me young at heart--running around in water on hot days, playing with cars, and snuggling up reading story books.

Campo Visit Brings Hope

Living in a nice apartment on the north-side of the city and working at two homes located directly in the center, I can easily forget that this, sadly, is not the reality for majority of the Bolivian people. I have my own room, running water, electricity, a separate bathroom with a toilet and a shower, but for a big percentage of Bolivians, these are all luxuries, and for some, have never and will never be experienced.

But, my visit to the campo today definitely helped me remember how majority of families live in Bolivia. Standing before two families that are extremely impoverished, but definitely filled with love, kindness, and extreme appreciation, I felt embarrassed about how much I take for granted and how much I have been blessed with. Standing there today, I wished I could change the world in one small way--create equality and justice for all. And, give those who have so little a chance to experience the "luxuries" and not have to stress about where the next meal will come from or how new school clothes and books will be payed for--things no one should have to worry about.

Along with the social worker who works quite diligently to protect and to create a brighter future for the children of Ninos con Valor and the families we work with, we set off to visit two families the foundation has been helping. The first family is made up of an elderly grandmother and her 5 grandchildren. After both parents passed away, the grandmother took in the children so they would not have to enter the system, which means potentially being separated. However, because the grandmother is older and very sick, the children have taken on responsibilities that no child should have to deal with, let alone even think about.

The oldest sister met us at one of the homes to ensure we arrived safely, and thank goodness she did! We spent about an hour and a half on multiple trufis heading out of the city. Once we arrived in her "neighborhood" (zona in spanish), we walked for 25 minutes on dirt and rock roads to get to their house. The children and the grandmother were extremely grateful, and very welcoming. Although they possess very little, they have learned what is truly important--family, love, and unity. We talked about how they were all doing in school and joked around.

View from their house-the city isn't even in sight.

The family together-they have so much love for each other.

We took pictures of the kids because we are trying to raise money to help the three oldest enter college, and promote sponsorship of all the children. The oldest sister is finishing her first year at a local university and is studying law. She leaves the house at 6 AM in order to arrive at the university for her 8 AM classes. She works extremely hard in school, and is very responsible. Her two siblings will enter a university next year--the sister wants to study to become a nurse, and the brother wants to become a mechanic. They all realize that receiving an education is the only way to help their siblings and create a future for their family.

The hike the oldest sister takes each day in order to attend her classes.

After a quick lunch break, we were back on a trufi headed out the city to visit another family. This family consists of a mother, a father, and 5 children. The parents got together at a very young age, and had their first child when the mother was 15. Both have very little education, and currently do small jobs to make enough money to squeeze by--the mom sells fruit in the market two days a week, and takes care of a house, and the father is a brick-layer and mason. The father works from early in the morning until late at night, so the mom takes care of the children.

The mother and her 5 children.

All 7 of the family members live in one room with 2 mattresses, a broken TV, and one light. Despite the lack of space and resources, the family is very close and appreciates what they have. They are building a kitchen, but the construction is slow due to the lack of money. But, the mother explained that it is slowly coming together. Once we arrived, they offered us Pepsi. The mother expressed her embarrassment, however, about the old, worn-out cups. We chatted with the mom about her health (She was diagnosed with cancer a few years back and had a surgery to remove the large tumor) and talked to the children about school. We also took pictures of them in hopes of finding sponsors for the 5 siblings.

The one room all live in, and the kitchen that is being built to the right.

Although these moments are tough on the spirit and the belief in hope, justice, and equality, these moments help me realize just how lucky I am. I have been blessed with wonderful, caring parents, a university education, a roof over my head, healhty food, and the chance to travel and experience the world.

My hope for the future is that one day justice will reign, equality will prevail, and those who are without will have what they need.

Understanding.

This past week has been about trying to make sense of and understand things going on around me. More than any other week in Bolivia, last week tested my ideas about cultural acceptance and sensitivity--if something is a cultural norm, does it make it right??

After turning my visa papers into the immigration offices in August, I assumed that I would have my passport and 2 year visa by November. Clearly, I was wrong. The workers keep commenting that I "Just turned the papers in not too long ago." However, to me, 3 months to stamp and write on the visa seems quite adequate. So, I am still waiting, not patiently and very begrudgingly, for my passport and my visa to return from La Paz--after three months.

After receiving this news from the immigration officer, I went to get a bus home and ended up taking a tour of the city. Without announcement, the Police blocked off all major bridges and roads leading up north, towards my house. Everyone on the bus was confused and upset about the blockades, as nothing had been announced. A woman on the bus started crying because she was worried about picking up her daughter from school. The bus driver drove all over the city attempting to cross-over and head north, but everything was blocked. So, I decided to make the long trek from downtown up to my apartment, a 45 minute walk. After getting home, I learned that there was a major bicycle race through the city, but no announcements had been made previously about the road closures.

And, on Friday, I went to the one of the schools the girls attend to see their end of the year performances. I enjoy going to these school, and look forward to them. But, mid-way through the presentations, one of the girls informed me that one of the other girls was crying in the bathroom. So, along with her sister, I went in to the bathroom to figure out what was going on. Eventually through tons of sobs and tears, she told us the director of the school had hit her. I was immediately angry and outraged, and her sister went to talk to another tia who was there. Who could hit a child, especially a kid that has already suffered violence, neglect, and abandonment?
When we got home, I talked with the tia who had also been present at the school. And, as we talked about what happened, I was shocked at her lack of outrage and anger. She seemed to be placing some of the blame on the girl who had been hit. The director claimed that because our girl had been rude and had an attitude, she hit her. I was appalled by this, and shocked the other tia wasn't more upset. She was saying that because I am not Bolivian and of the Bolivian culture, I wouldn't understand. But, despite my culture, hitting a kid is wrong and child abuse. And, just because this may be something that is accepted and approved of within the Bolivian culture, does not make it right.

Last week was very trying, and had me questioning certain factors of the Bolivian culture. And, I realize, the culture of the US, the culture I grew up in, is far from perfect and has many unsolved problems. Unannounced blockades seems inconsiderate and inefficient, but something that will not harm anyone. And, taking extra time to complete and finalize paperwork to make an extra buck seems wrong and erroneous. But, sadly, is something that stems from severe, fierce poverty that has plagued the Bolivian people for hundreds of years. But, hitting a child because of his or her attitude and rudeness is never allowed--it is child abuse. And, just because something is an accepted cultural norm, does not make it right. And, I say the same thing about cultural norms of the US--the envious, greedy, ravenous, self-indulgent nature of many North Americans. Just because this is normal and accepted by many North Americans, does not make it right!

So, I look at these moments as enlightening and illuminating. I invite these instances, and realize that although I may not be able to change everyone's opinions, I can change, help, and improve the lives of the kids I am working with--protecting them from abusive teachers, helping them discover their talents and strengths, and assisting them in creating a better, brighter future for themselves.

Karina Lost Her Tooth!

After weeks and weeks of two very loose front teeth, Karina made the brave decision to pull out her own tooth last Friday. Earlier last week, the other very loose front tooth fell out while she was eating, but its pair held on for the next few days by a very, very strong root. Her new teeth were beginning to grow in, and we were hoping it would fall out naturally. But, this was a very stubborn tooth!

So, last Friday after lunch, Karina sat in the dining room with a group of the tias. She was determined to get the tooth out, but was extremely nervous about the pain and the blood. After about 10 minutes of crying and trying to pry the stubborn tooth out by herself, the tias convinced Karina that a better idea was to use string, and that way she could get it out all by herself. And, after some panicking, Karina was convinced that this was the best, quickest way to get this very stubborn tooth out!

So, after we put ice on the tooth, Karina asked for a countdown and pulled the string. She pulled her tooth out all by herself! Karina was extremely excited and proud of herself, but I think she was most excited about the ice cream she got after!