A Bolivian Reality

My parents arrived this Monday, and it was so exciting to see them! Also, this week, Ninos con Valor is hosting a team from Seattle to help at both homes. So, my parents and I have gotten to participate in a few of the activities.

After going to Immigration and painting flower pots with a few of the girls from Corazon del Pastor and the Seattle team, I met my parents at their hotel! It was so wonderful to be with them again! It made me realize really how much I have been missing our family time! We decided to get dinner, which was quite a chase since many of the restaurants here are closed on Monday. But, we ended up having a delicious dinner. When we got back to their hotel, we talked and caught up!

Tuesday was quite an exciting day for my parents! We went to breakfast at Cafe Paris in the main plaza. They enjoyed the coffee very much! Then, we had our first pharmacy experience! I had to head to the Cancha to pick-up the kids from the Seattle team and take them to lunch, while my parents headed back to their hotel before meeting us. I was running a little late with the kids, and my parents were standing in front of a popular restaurant on a very busy, main street waiting for us. Students were protesting and rioting in the area because the doors of their school had been locked. The police believed it was getting out of hand, and set off tear gas right outside of the restaurant. So, my parents got teargassed during a student riot! My dad made the comment that during all his years of peace marches and protests, he had never been teargassed. I said, "Bienvenidos a Bolivia!"

After a quick lunch, my parents headed to the airport to claim their luggage that was left in Miami by American Airlines, and I headed to a park with some of the girls and the kids from the team. They all really enjoyed themselves, and I enjoyed watching them. I was great to see kids, who do not speak the same language, having a blast playing together and getting along so well!

After the park, I took the girls back home and headed to meet up with my parents. Together, we headed to my home in the zona sur. They got to see the neighborhood and my new house. They also got to meet David, one of the priests who lives in front of us. David, however, had just gotten bitten by a dog, and started the anti-rabies shots. So, they got to meet David in a panicked state and to see how bad the stray dog situation is here. After, we went to dinner at Sole Mio, my favorite restaurant in Cochabamba! They really enjoyed it! While eatting, my mentor, Steve Judd, came into Sole Mio. So, my parents got to meet my wonderful mentor and talk with him. He knows our cousin, Wayman Deasy, who works for Maryknoll! It was exciting to connect on that level! After a delicious dinner, we returned to their hotel for some sleep.

Today was a very emotional day! We started out with a quick breakfast at the hotel, and then headed to Pedacito del Cielo, the baby home. I was so excited that my parents got to meet the babies and play with them for a little bit. They fell in love with the kids! The kids at Pedacito really took a liking to both my mom and dad! My mom played ball with a few of the little girls and one of the little boys ran into the room and jumped on my dad. It was great to see my parents with the kids!

After a while at the baby home, we headed to the north of Cochabamba. We were going on a "Reality Tour," to see how people are living, to figure out how we can help, and to put things into perspective. Our first stop was at a small house up on the mountain. A grandmother lived there with five grandchildren who were left with her after their mother and father died. Abuelita is very old, and can hardly walk anymore, and only speaks Quechua. We went and visited this family to see how they live and what the reality of their life is. Abuelita and her grandchildren are beautiful! The team brought down some school supplies, toys, and shoes for the grandchildren of Abuelita, and the kids were so appreciative! Abuelita's family was so kind. We ate saltenas and talked with them, while a doctor, who came with us, examined abuelita to see why she is losing mobility. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet this family, but to also see how many people in Bolivia are living.

Our next stop was with a family of seven who live in a tiny room, which is about the size of my room at home. This family lives on the land of another, more wealthy family. The mom takes care of the house and the yard of the more wealthy family. The family we met, however, cannot plant anything in the yard. Planting vegetables and fruits would assist the family greatly, but they cannot plant anything, according to the family who owns the land. Although this family is incredibly poor, they seem very kind and generous. This family really touched me! The mom was extremely grateful for all the food that was brought for lunch and for all the school supplies and toys that were brought for her children. She is a beautiful lady who is raising four boys and one girl in one room, with no bathroom and no shower. It was so humbling to talk with her and get to know the children. She even invited us back to her house for her daughter's birthday in September! My dad was so touched by this family that he gave the mom some bolivianos to help she and her family. My dad embraced the mom and gave her a little money, and tears welled up in both their eyes. It was quite an emotional moment to watch!

Our last stop was Puntiti, a home and school for children with severe mental and physical disabilities. Many of the children here are not mobile, and spend their days in wheelchairs. There are kids as young as one and as old as thirty because there is not home equivalent for adults here in Bolivia. It was so hard walking through the home and seeing these kids. However, the nuns and caretakers at Puntiti give so much love and attention to these kids. Many of the kids who attend the school go home to families at the end of the day. I really enjoyed talking with the kids in the school. There was a Montessori room for the younger kids, and I really lived talking with the kids in this room. Some of the kids in the school are in the "integration" program, which helps them get ready to be in other public and private schools. And, the kids in the school make jewelry and cards that they sell. The profits go towards taking care of the kids at the home and school! My mom and dad were touched by the kids at Puntiti. Although they do not know Spanish, they attempted to communicate with all the kids.

All three places were quite an emotional, humbling experience. I will never forget Abuelita and her family, the family of seven living in a tiny room, and all the babies, kids, teenagers, and adults at Puntiti.

After a long, emotionally draining day, we went to dinner, and ended the day with a cup of mate de coca. The mate was especially enjoyed by my dad! I couldn't be more happy that my parents are here! They are the most supportive parents, and I would not be working here in Bolivia without all their love and support. I am excited to explore Cochabamba with my parents, and create Bolivian memories with them!