Bienvenido a Bolivia

Hola! Amanda and Annika here - we are interning at Ascender Bolivia in Santa Cruz, and loving every minute. Until August and July, respectively, we are working with the staff here in developing their ongoing programs, refining the evaluation and research processes, and learning about the intriguing historical and cultural perspectives of Bolivia. Here are a few of our impressions these first few weeks:

These people know what they are doing. The staff here is organized and efficient, and their programs are carefully thought out to be appropriate and meaningful for the communities and families. In San Miguel, a small rural village, we have met families who don’t have much, but do have plenty of space and great soil. Carmen, Health Director at Ascender Bolivia, is teaching the women in San Miguel how to create and sustain family gardens. While Ascender provided the first seeds, some instruction, and lots of encouragement, these women are the driving force behind making their ¨huertos¨ (family gardens) a success.

In Nueva Esperanza, Jhon (another staff member) is teaching budding enterprisers from a small community about the foundations of business. In the last class, we learned about the difference between short and long term goals, how to set appropriate goals, and how to change dreams into reality. Even in freezing weather, there is always an impressive turnout to the biweekly classes, and we can see the wheels turning as the students think about how to empower themselves and their futures.

Bolivians have big hearts. Everywhere we go, we are impressed by the hardworking, generous, and kind nature of Bolivianos. This street vendor was PSYCHED when Amanda bought orange juice from him, couldn’t stop grinning, and even gave her a free refill. As we spend time in more rural parts of Santa Cruz, we find that those who have little, give much. One woman, living in a house with dirt floors and no running water, was excited to give us soy milk she had learned to make in a class with Ascender – we recognize that her offer to us is probably a sacrifice, and feel so honored to be around such great people.

We are getting fat. Anyone who knows either of us will not be surprised that our short term goals usually include trying out the food at a new street vendor or comedor. Yesterday, we literally walked three hours in search of the perfect meal. One staff member thinks our obsession is particularly funny, and often refers to our “lugar favorito,” (favorite place) – an open market food court bustling with hundreds of vendors and food from Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico, and even Austria. We figure we brought enough Pepto Bismo to allow us to try any and all. 