About Bolivia
Villa Candelaria is located in the Northern outskirts of Cochabamba; the 3rd largest city in Bolivia. There are approximately 6,000 families of displaced mining workers that were originally displaced in 1985 when the government closed the country’s tin mines. Almost all lacked any formal education, could not read or write, and had no job skills or training other than mining. The displaced families were relocated wherever the government allocated them small lots to build their homes onto.
Today, the fathers and young men of these families are sometimes able to find manual labor work. The mothers, on the other hand, often travel into the city to resell fruit in wheel-barrels earning less than $3 a day. Others, if they are lucky, find work nearby cleaning and washing clothes by hand for pennies.
Next, imagine their spouse, husband or wife leaving for Spain to seek work to support the family. Spain allows them the benefit of the same language and more opportunity for work. The sad reality is that more often than not these husbands and wives never return and start new families in Spain.
What is happening in Bolivia?
The mid-term elections took place on April of this year. Bolivians were electing the department governors, city mayors and other officials.
In Bolivia, elections day is a type of holiday. Nobody works other than election workers, therefore the streets are free of vehicles other than the official ones. Here are some pictures of the event:
School Starts |
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First day of school and all of the students are on the main patio to be welcomed by the Principal and teachers. School starts on the 21st of February.
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Students and parents are preparing for another school year.
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Mrs. Lucia, the school social worker, is asking the children what school materials they need to begin the new year.
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After School |
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In the after school program, “Casa Apoyo,” the teacher is showing students how to wash their hair.
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This is one of many stone and mud homes in Villa Candelaria. This is all the family can afford.
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The inside of this home is shared by Mom, Dad and two siblings. They cook, eat and sleep here.
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An unsuspected visitor tries to sneak under the gate. His mother had no idea where he was. We invited him into the daycare center, fed him lunch and waited for three hours until his mother came calling for him.
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