Week 6 & 7 from Ascend Alliance on Vimeo.
We got back from our week long escapade in Cusco, Peru just in time to enjoy three more days of Santa Cruz sun before we have to go back home to Utah. We have loved being a part of Ascender Bolivia for the past two months and wouldn’t give up this experience for anything. Thanks for joining us on our adventure! Adiós!
Week two was a huge success here in Santa Cruz. We really kept busy this week, working on all sorts of projects from soy classes in Yotau to construction in Basilio! However, the highlight of the week was the Ascend Business Training class graduation in Santisteban that we had the opportunity to attend. Jhon Acuña is an excellent business teacher and his students really respect him. It was incredible to see the students both in their class environment and also at their graduation. Most of the people didn't have a chance to complete their education in the past so receiving this graduation certificate really meant the world to them.
We are loving Bolivia more and more each day! With all of our amazing "spanish teachers" here at Ascender, we are learning more than we ever imagined!
Bolivia. WEEK ONE
Lets start off by introducing ourselves... Hailey and Amber, the newest interns for Ascend Alliance here in Santa Cruz, Bolivia! Since day one, we have been blown away by how different it is here compared to Utah, which is where we are from. We've been here less than a week and we have already had so many opportunities to help out. It's so amazing to see how much of a difference that the various Ascend programs have for these Bolivian people. They are always grateful and so willing to learn all that they can. We are loving Bolivia so far and can't wait see what this week will bring us! Stay tuned!
energized by the structure in which Julia, Ascender Cusco´s manager, conducted this group dialogue between leaders of the community Patabama. Using some great visual processing, the group of leaders discuss community issues, what tactics have been tried in the past, obstacles and consequences of those efforts, and ways to improve the efficacy of Ascend´s involvement using available resources from both ends. Very grassroots, creative, and valuable way of communicating.
owned by altitude. Our hike to the top of this peak was both beautiful and educational (thanks, Geoffrey), and we loved every moment spent huffing and puffing from the few extra thousand feet. Saw some great ruins, talked to some cheerful local farmers, gaped at the views of Cusco Valley and surrounding mountains.
intrigued by the rich setting in the Cusco area. The political, cultural, linguistic, and historical context for Ascend´s work there is very different than ours here in Santa Cruz, something we want to be conscious of as we work in these communities.
impressed by the staff´s organization. We sat in on a planning meeting for the upcoming Ascend Expedition to Cusco, and it was evident that the small-ness of their team encourages them to be well-coordinated and organized. Also impressive is the great spread of work they have created in several communities: from health campaigns, reforestation and construction projects, a thriving greenhouse at an orphanage, various community classes, and a slew of other projects. Busy busy!
