CHOICE Humanitarian Bolivia

Replacing Cow Dung with Solar Energy!

2011-06-15T15:05:00.014-06:00

Imagine it is time to cook a meal for your family and you don’t have a stove, oven, or even a microwave. What you do have is a small, smoky fire pit in your house, fueled by cow dung which you have to collect yourself. How would this affect your ability to cook a meal? This is how villagers in Bolivia cook their meals every day.

Recently CHOICE Humanitarian teamed up with the villages of Tuni, Challapata and Wayraconi to provide an efficient alternative for cooking meals - solar ovens. During a four day workshop facilitated by the CHOICE staff Fèlix, Germàn and Julio, the communities learned how to build and use their new ovens.

The villagers were very excited about this opportunity, and eager to show their dedication to the project by contributing the necessary funds to purchase the supplies themselves. These solar ovens can roast peanuts, cook potatoes, corn, quinoa (a grain), breads, cakes, and even pizza without the use of fuel.

Maxi, CHOICE staff in Bolivia says, “These ovens are great because solar rays are free and they make very healthy food because there is no loss of nutrients.” Unfortunately these ovens do not work when it rains or in the early hours of the morning before the sun rises, but as long as the sun is shining, the ovens are in constant use.

Because of your support CHOICE Humanitarian trainings, just like this one, are happening all over Bolivia, providing the necessary skills to help these communities find solutions to their own poverty. Thank you!

Because Water Is Life

2011-05-23T10:43:00.006-06:00

Water pump in Bolivia.

Today, 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water. 1.1 Billion! It is a staggering and sobering number but thanks to your support this number is getting smaller. Recently the small village of Coniri Uncasuca, Bolivia approached CHOICE Humanitarian to help them with a water system. This village has seen how access to water has changed nearby communities and they are ready to do whatever it takes to bring clean drinking water to their village. Currently they carry water from a mossy spring multiple times a day. It is a time consuming chore and the open spring is susceptible to pollution that causes illness, especially in children.

Coniri Uncasuca's water spring.

The village leader, Erasmo Ticona Jilir Mallku, said, "We are seeking support to help make our dream of clean water come true because water is life and very important to the growth and development of our community."

Erasmo Ticona Jilir Mallku

Because of your support, planning for this project is already under way. Water projects like this one are happening all over Bolivia. In a few weeks a CHOICE expedition will be traveling to the village of Pomamaya to work on a similar water project. Not only do these projects provide access to a vital resource, they build on the community's leadership and ability to make future dreams come true. Thank you so much for your ongoing support. It does make a difference.

Bolivia: The New Center of Fashion?

2011-04-15T13:10:00.003-06:00

In Bolivia, the people of Hichuraya and Muramaya are proving that they can lift themselves out of poverty with their own two hands. A few weeks ago, we bragged about their new skills of dying wool to weave into shawls and blankets that are now being sold in Italy!

Willy and Maxi, CHOICE Humanitarian In-Country Directors of Bolivia, have been working extremely hard to provide the needed training and equipment to get this business rolling. The villagers are now learning how to knit, including 60-year-old Antonio.

Due to painful hip problems, this father of five struggles even to walk. But, in the comfort of a chair, he has learned to wield five needles at a time to knit gloves. He's optimistic that he can better support his family now.

Antonio with his knitting needles.

Marisol Condori is 10-years old: "In my family, there are six children. I am the oldest. Today, I am helping my mother look after the baby because she is learning to knit gloves."Her mother is taking lessons at the craft school built and run by CHOICE Humanitarian.

Marisol (right) with her mother (center).

The staff of CHOICE Bolivia have also helped secure loans for these villagers, allowing them to dye more wool, make more yarn, and knit more gloves for their Italian buyer. "We are all encouraged because we can make some more money for our family," Marisol says. "Many times my brothers are hungry because we cannot afford to buy a loaf of bread. Then we are happy because if my mother knits, we have money. I also want to learn to knit and help my family."

Thanks to all those who support CHOICE Humanitarian. To learn how you can help, please visit CHOICEHumanitarian.org

Digging for their lives.

2011-03-14T14:15:00.007-06:00

Those of you who have been to the Altiplano region in Bolivia know what a difficult task it is to dig miles of trenches in the rocky Bolivian soil for a water system. It is slow, tedious, back-breaking work; hour after hour, mile after mile, day after day. It could take a community up to 6 months to reach a water source 5 miles away.

Digging trenches in Bolivia: photo by Wade Alexander

Thanks to the support of Deseret Health, these communities will have another option. A trencher has been purchased which will provide an alternative method to completing this time consuming task. It will save months of labor and free up the community to work in their fields, take care of their families and complete their long list of daily chores.

CHOICE Humanitarian will maintain the equipment and create a structure by which to build a fund for on-going maintenance and fuel.

Chris Johnson, Program Director for CHOICE, said, “This trencher will bring clean drinking water to all communities of the Altiplano at an accelerated rate. This means better health for the communities and particularly a dramatic reduction in childhood illness and death.”
Thank you Deseret Health for providing support and tools to build a better future for our friends in Bolivia.

What does it take to get water to a small village in Bolivia?

2011-02-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

Expeditioners and villagers working together on the water system.

With shovels in hand, we left the village of Huancuyo, Bolivia early in the morning and headed up the mountains. Three miles and two hours later, into the thinning air, we reached our destination - the water source and the starting point of our project. As we panted for air it was hard to believe that the villagers had to take this trek everyday to collect water once their wells dried up for the season.

The village water project was the focus of this CHOICE expedition. We were assigned to fill the trench that community had dug on their own prior to our arrival. Native families of Huancuyo had committed months to the back-breaking labor required to dig a water trench 2 feet deep and 3 miles long into the Andean mountainside.

As we looked at the long trench meandering down the mountain before us, we KNEW that we would NEVER finish filling this trench in just one week! Right?

As village men placed meter upon meter of PVC pipe into the trench, we worked hard right behind them in shoveling large stones and piles of dirt into the open ground. But, we were not alone in our labors. Village men and women - and even small children - utilized handmade shovels to cover the pipe with dirt. Believe it or not, we couldn't keep up with the pace of determined village women who would take our shovels if we were not working fast enough.

To the collective shock of our expedition group, the entire trench was filled and completed in just three and a half days! I was speechless. The project was completed due to the collaborative efforts of both sides...laboring together in an inter-cultural exchange of work ethic and mutual support. I learned that this is the essence of a true CHOICE expedition.

Now that the trench had been filled, it was time to connect the pipe to the schoolhouse spigot. This was to be the site of the official inauguration of the water project...a moment that would celebrate the arrival of potable water to the village of Huancuyo for the first time.

Tyler (left) and Wade (right) celebrating the arrival of water with the community.

We had underestimated the importance of such a celebration. Village women wore their finest - and most vibrant Bolivian attire, spinning and twirling in a cultural dance that often included our own volunteers! Village leaders gave messages of gratitude, shedding tears for the simple gift of water. A gift Leavitt Group employees helped to provide through generous donations. And village children, waiting in anticipation, partook of the feast that was placed before them: a complete spread of 15 different potatoes and sauces.

These dear people had waited such a long time for this sacred occasion - to have drinkable water near their homes. The excitement was overwhelming as toddlers splashed in the running water that poured from the spigot. Joy was evident in the weathered faces of village elders, worn and cracked as a result of the brisk Altiplano air. I could not help but admire such wonderful people. Thaks to all whgo support this work. With your help, this community now has water. You are truly changing the lives of these people.

-Wade Alexander

Weaving a Way out of Poverty

2011-01-14T16:43:00.001-07:00

As you warm yourself this winter with shawls, scarves and blankets, consider for a moment where they may have come from. Weaving beautiful, handcrafted items has become a heart-warming solution to a big problem in Muramaya, Bolivia.

Weaving samples.

"There is no rain, cows do not produce milk," reports Daysi Condori Visaluqui, one of the villagers. "The only way to make money now is through weaving. Now we can buy bread and some school supplies. We are happy for this work."

The work begins with villagers hovered over boiling pots of alpaca wool. They stain it using lemon, orange peel, pine and onions. The villagers are proud to report their colors do not fade.

Creating pigments.

The wool then heads to the looms where villagers weave it into scarves and blankets that have already caught the eye of a buyer in Italy. Money for the village is coming in."I am raising my children alone," says Raquel Ortiz Limachi. "I have been given a loan to buy a loom. I'm spinning in my house and my children know how to weave - this helps provide money for my children's school materials."

Weaving looms.

CHOICE Humanitarian has helped these motivated villagers every step of the way - from providing training to organizing paperwork so they could create a small business. CHOICE also secured loans for the villagers, allowing them to buy more looms, expand their business, and weave together a proud future.
-by Amy W.

The Best Lettuce in Town!

2010-11-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

At 13,000 ft. elevation, almost nothing grows in the Altipalno of Bolivia. Local diet is limited to a variety of potatoes, quinoa and a few other high-altitude grains. Over the years the CHOICE team has been working to perfect an appropriate technology for greenhouse construction that captures sufficient heat from the sun during the day to maintain fragile fruit and vegetable plants inside as they grow from seedlings to maturity.

Lettuce is one of these plants that cannot survive the harsh climate of the Altiplano unless grown inside a greenhouses. For this reason, truckloads of lettuce are brought up the long dusty road from the tropical lowlands of the Amazon Basin. By the time the fragile lettuce arrives in La Paz (days later) the produce is in poor condition, often wilted and dirty.

CHOICE has been assisting families and communities on the Altiplano to build and utilize our greenhouse technology to grow cash crops for sale to the local market.
As a result, the reputation for fresh, high quality lettuce now coming from these communities has reached a demanding market with the high-end restaurants in La Paz. Now our communities are the preferred suppliers of fresh lettuce and other vegetables to the elite of the country.

This is bringing in extra income for the communities and is building on economic development which is key to alleviating poverty. Your support allows this work to continue in Bolivia. Thank you so much for supporting these villagers and for making a real difference!

Then and Now: Seeing Real Change

2010-08-16T15:19:00.000-06:00

by Ty Robertson

I first heard about the work of CHOICE Humanitarian in 2008 during a graduate course on economic development at the University of Utah. A short time later, my wife and I had the opportunity to go on an expedition to Bolivia and witness firsthand CHOICE Humanitarian's model for sustainable village development.

Camping out in a small community building in a small corner of Suriquena, a village in the Altiplano region of Bolivia, we worked side-by-side with villagers to construct a small greenhouse school. Based on the increasingly popular and successful model of a local Bolivian professor, the school was designed to trap warmth and light within the school rooms and also grow food to nourish its students. For five days, we worked side-by-side with villagers digging trenches, laying foundation stone, and hauling brick and other materials. Though the school remained somewhat incomplete when we left, the experience of working alongside the villagers of Suriquena and witnessing them enthusiastically taking ownership and responsibility over the project was amazing. It was absolutely one of the most rewarding experience of my life.

Jon and Ty Robertson

This year I had the privilege of returning to Bolivia with a group of Deseret Health employees. We helped complete an enormous water project that brought clean water to nearly 900 people, and to my very joyous surprise this water system was built in the same village I first visited, Suriquena, by the villagers of Suriquena. Two years before the village had little or no access to clean water and very constrained irrigation.

Now, the community has a gravity fed water system fresh from the Andes glacial run-off. Though this project was funded by CHOICE Humanitarian, it was the villagers who did virtually all of the work together as a community. Not only does Suriquena now have fresh water running to nearly every household, the village has electricity too.

On the last day, the village held an enormous celebration in front of the very same community building that I had camped out in two years ago.

Community Center

It was a surreal experience. During the festivities, I walked the short distance down the road and looked at the school my wife and I had helped to build. Where there had been dirt floors and an incomplete roof before, there are now clean cement floors, greenhouses with fresh vegetables, two school rooms filled with books and materials, a ceiling that lets in natural light, fluorescent lights for a brighter environment, plenty of desks, chalkboards, and everything needed to create an atmosphere that is truly conducive to learning.

Witnessing the progress Suriquena and its people have made over the past two years was breathtaking. Through the financial support of CHOICE and the gentle guidance of Willy and Maxima Mendoza, the villagers of Suriquena have continued to pursue their own initiatives and ideas, working together to make their village prosper, to bring themselves out of extreme poverty, and to create a better future for their children. I am very grateful to have been a part of the progress in Bolivia. Along with my company, Deseret Health, I look forward to continue working with CHOICE Humanitarian to give villagers the tools and the attitude necessary to eradicate poverty.

-Ty

Chris Johnson: Notes from the field: Bolivia, 2010

2010-07-15T13:58:00.000-06:00

Since the tragedy of August, 2008, I have had little opportunity to travel to our field sites. Not being on the ground for over 18 months, I was very excited to reconnect with Willy, Maxima, Felix and German and hoped to find them in good spirits and managing to keep things going. What I found was much more than 'keeping things going'. I guess I should have expected to see big change and progress from this team.

The first thing I noticed was the new and improved CHOICE Center.

This new center will provide many new opportunities and advantages for the Bolivia team such as:

·        Provide a place for expeditioners to stay, cutting hotel costs dramatically.
·        Create a space for training that can be rented out.
·        Provide a home base for interns.
·        Can be leased out for special events providing revenue.
·        Provide protection against the movement of reclaiming unused land by the Ayamara.

Take a look inside:

After twelve years of visiting Willy and the team, I am still finding myself completely amazed at the work that is being accomplished out there. If it has been a while...it's time to get back!!!
Invest in yourself, invest in these amazing people. See the change happening by visiting Bolivia yourself!

-Chris

Greenhouse Schools!

2010-04-26T10:45:00.000-06:00

The Bolivia CHOICE team is innovating the way students learn in Bolivia by turning a cold, dark and boring classroom into one full of light, life and excitement. This is done by turning one wall into a greenhouse.

We are excited to announce we have teamed up with the award winning tipping bucket www.tippingbucket.org to help Bolivia build one of these greenhouse schools. We are using the Tipping Bucket's platform to raise $2,500 in the next 10 days, and if we succeed all that money will go directly to building the school.

By inviting many people to donate as little as $1 we can make this happen. If we don't reach $2,500 before the deadline, then none of the transactions will be processed and the school goes unfunded.

Check out the project, donate a dollar, and tell your friends about it. (Post it on your Facebook page, put it on your blog, sent out a tweet, email your friends!)

Go to www.tippigbucket.org to add your drop to the bucket!

Thank you for your support and for helping build a better future for our friends in Bolivia.

Make a New Friend. Come to Bolivia!

2010-03-18T15:34:00.000-06:00

Looking for a thrilling adventure and a meaningful experience this summer? We have just what you are looking for! Join CHOICE Humanitarian in Bolivia and work hand-in-hand with native villagers for an entire week.

A landlocked nation in the center of South America, Bolivia radiates a charming culture that sweeps across eastern lowlands, western highlands and endless salt flats. The famed Altiplano rests amidst Andean peaks at 13,000 feet above sea level, while generous natives and warm embraces await each CHOICE expedition.

PACK YOUR BAGS! The next CHOICE expedition to Kenya will begin on June 5th, 2010! Sign up now and join CHOICE Humanitarian in building people, not just projects. Contact Wade Alexander at walexander@choicehumanitarian.org or 801-474-1937 for more information.

"Mi Escuelita"

2010-02-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

One of the first steps to making progress out of poverty is understanding what is possible for a better life. "Mi Escuelita" or "My Little School" is an innovative approach to raising awareness in the rural villages in the Altiplano of Bolivia by starting with the children. It is a simple model of teaching the children the importance of clean water while having them help to install a well for their school. It is teaching them about sanitation and hygiene while having the children help build and maintain a school latrine facility and teaching them about nutrition while having them help build and manage a school greenhouse.

Armed with their new knowledge, children start asking their parents why these basic needs are not being met at home. Soon the parents begin to make these changes a priority for their families, dramatically reducing incidence of diarrhea, malnutrition and other common sicknesses that have traditionally plagued these communities.

Thanks to your constant support, CHOICE has carried out this program in 34 communities so far. This represents 12,000 children and the lasting effect will touch generations to come.

Greenhouses Increase Learning!

2009-12-18T13:38:00.001-07:00

At 13,000 feet above sea level, with no electricity or heating, the cement and brick schools of the Altiplano, Bolivia feel more like ice boxes than places of learning. Desks, supplies and education materials are scarce leaving walls bare and rooms un-stimulating. Students often find themselves preoccupied with staying warm and staying in line with the hypnotic and structured educational style.

For the last several years, with your support, the CHOICE team in Bolivia have been implementing a new architectural style of schools where one entire wall is a greenhouse allowing light and passive solar heating into the classroom.

Twenty percent of the floor is left as soil where the children can grow a garden as part of their educational curriculum of agriculture, environment and nutrition. At the same time, the children can experience a warm, green, learning-enhanced environment. We are so excited to announce that studies are showing significant increase in national examination scores in the greenhouse schools.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support to Bolivia and for providing opportunities for the CHOICE villages to be creative in achieving their own development goals. Your donations will have a lasting impact as generations to come benefit from these schools.

Want to learn more about what is going on in our other countries? Visit our Blogs.
Bolivia
Guatemala
Kenya
Mexico
Nepal
Travel Blog
http://choicehumanitarian.org/

2009-09-08T16:30:00.000-06:00

Remember the Scarf Project that was started by some Ohio State students last year? Click here for a refresher. It has now expanded to other villages so additional communities can benefit from this new market. They are also receiving orders from other vendors who recognize the quality of work the community can offer.

The community is also learning how to take matters into their own hands by trying to eliminating the middle man and selling directly to the vendors over seas. This is still a learning process but they are making great progress. These villagers are motivated to work and support their communities but just needed a little help with recognizing the opportunities. We are excited to see what will happen next.

CHOICE Bolivia announces new Partnership!

2009-06-04T12:22:00.000-06:00

On a recent conference call with Willy Mendoza, CHOICE In-Country Director for Bolivia, Willy related to us the new and exciting partnership with a French NGO, Andes Fertiles.

Andes Fertiles has been working in the Altiplano and, until now, was struggling to find a good/honest Bolivian, who understands rural development AND understands the unique culture of the indigenous Aymara Indians to funnel some of their resources to.

It appears that Willy fits that bill! They have partnered now with CHOICE on a number of successful projects and it appears that this relationship is growing. Their Director and some of their staff have visited CHOICE work areas and have seen first hand how the CHOICE model works in Bolivia and how effective it is. They have become very impressed with how Willy approaches the villages and how he works to train and improve the local leadership.

They have also seen and are impressed with Willy's ability to motivate and to network the community to other resources. It is with this spirit of collaboration that they are organizing their first 'CHOICE like' expedition. In July of this year, they will be bringing 10 volunteer participants from France to work in Taypipampa on a Community Water Project.

Willy and Maxi will facilitate their expedition experience. This expedition and the projects that they will be working on will be funded entirely by Andes Fertiles and the volunteer participants in much the same manner that CHOICE is conducting expeditions.

Also, interesting to note, is their willingness to help and support the women of Muruamya (another CHOICE village). These women are engaged in a project supported by Ohio State University. The project's inception was from a CHOICE expedition in 2008 by a group of OSU students that worked with the village and, while there, 'brainstormed' a number of micro enterprise ideas, one of which was the making and marketing of Alpaca scarves to Ohio State University students and alumni. These scarves would be hand made with the OSU logo and networked through appropriate channels for sale in the USA.

Andes Fertiles would like to expand the program to include other hand made crafts and clothing and has agreed to help the women market those products in Europe. This is the idea; and we're hoping that, in the next few months, this project will contribute to a significant increase in income to the individual households of these women.

Upcoming CHOICE Expeditions in BOLIVIA!

2009-02-02T12:51:00.000-07:00

Student Expedition... May 8 - 16, 2009

CHOICE Humanitarian offers a unique expedition opportunity specifically for students 18 or older, that are enrolled in either high school or college. To read more, or join this expedition--go to the CHOICE Humanitarian Ning site at: http://choicehumanitarian.ning.com/

Ohio State University Expedition...
March 20 - 29, 2009

This is also a student expedition, but it is open to anyone that would like to have this great adventure. Students, age 18 - 25, will get a discount on the expedition price, but anyone is welcome. For more information, or to sign up--follow this link: http://choicehumanitarian.ning.com/

Travel warning has been lifted!

2008-12-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

The State Department has lifted the travel warning for Bolivia. It looks like the OSU (Ohio State University) expedition this April 2009 will now be traveling to Bolivia rather than Peru. This is great news! Willy Mendoza, CHOICE's in-country director for Boliva, said things seem really good in the villages and that the expedition should have no problems.

5 Projects Finished!

2008-11-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

Through the very generous heart of one man, five villages now have a place where their school children can meet and the community can come together for planning meetings. These five villages in Bolivia will forever be changed by this incredible act of one man's giving back.

Ingavi, Bolivia
This structure will be used as additional classrooms for the school.

Toncopugio, Bolivia
This building will serve as a place to study and to eat lunch for the children of this village.

Hichuraya, Bolivia
Classrooms for the existing school.

Chuquinuma, Bolivia
School classroom.

Tuquia, Bolivia
This building will be used as a gathering place for the villagers to come together and discuss plans for improving their village. It will also be a cultural center and a place where parents and children can come for special events.

These five projects had been started and each of them were lacking the funds to be completed. The donation given to CHOICE recently was sufficient to help each one of these projects to completion. Between the significant donor, CHOICE Humanitarian and the municipal government all coming together, many lives are greatly affected for good. All of the projects are now completely finished!

2008-10-31T12:38:00.000-06:00

CHOICE villages in Boliva are moving forward in spite of a burdensome political clime -

Due to the political conflict CHOICE will not be taking expeditions to Bolivia for now . . . the villages are continuing to move forward in spite of the political climate.

The following is a bird's eye view of what is happening politically, written for CHOICE by Brent Spencer:

"The political situation in Bolivia is quite complex, and the reasons for the current political problems have roots in Bolivia's complicated political history. The following is a simplified synopsis of the current political climate:

Evo Morales (the current president of Bolivia) began his national political career as the president of the coca grower's union in the Chapare region of Bolivia. He grew up in an Aymara altiplano village similar to those that Choice works with. Through a series of elections, presidential resignations, road blockades, and protest marches (led by Evo himself), Evo became a Congressman and eventually was elected president of Bolivia as the founder and candidate of the MAS (Movement to Socialism) political party. Evo became the first fully indigenous president of Bolivia in 2006 after winning an unprecedented nearly 54% of the popular vote. Since becoming president, Evo has pushed through a partial nationalization of the hydrocarbon (oil and gas) industry, land redistribution, pensions for the elderly, and bonuses to provide incentive to families to keep their children in school. He has used wealth created by the hydrocarbon industry to pay for most of these reforms. A constitutional convention was convened under Evo's watch to rewrite the constitution so that it more fully represents Bolivia's indigenous majority.

While Evo and his reforms are popular in the highland regions of Bolivia (where Choice generally works), they are unpopular in the lowland regions of the country. Opposition to Evo and his MAS party is strong in these areas, especially in the department of Santa Cruz. The opposition boycotted some of the final sessions of the constitutional convention process in an attempt to delegitimize the process. Furthermore several departments in Bolivia conducted referendums (popular votes) to determine if their citizenry supported autonomy from the central government. This would give them more control over profits made from the hydrocarbon industry, and more local political control. These referendums were not authorized by the central government controlled by Evo and were boycotted by his supporters. The populations of these low-lying areas overwhelmingly voted for autonomy. The central government has refused to accept these results.

The autonomy referendums undermined the authority of President Morales to a large extent. In an attempt to gain the political legitimacy that he needed to get a new constitution passed, Evo submitted himself to a referendum last August to ask the people of Bolivia if he should continue in office until the end of his term or if he should call new presidential elections. The governors of the low-lying regions that had led the movement for the autonomy referendums were also submitted to this same referendum to determine if they should continue in office or not. Evo was overwhelmingly confirmed in office by 67% of the Bolivian population. With this confirmation, Evo felt that he had a political mandate from the people to go ahead with pushing through the approval of the new constitution. The opposition governors were also confirmed in office and felt that they had mandated to continue their push for more autonomy from the central government.

In the last few months tensions have risen in Bolivia in regard to issues related to the new constitution. Evo tried to push the process forward by using his powers of presidential decree to bypass Congress in the process and call for a referendum to have the people approve the new constitution. This sparked off protest by the political opposition who wanted to see departmental autonomies (among other issues) written into the new constitution before it was submitted to a referrendum. In Santa Cruz protests flared up and government and institutional buildings were taken over by protesters. In the department of Pando, about thirty supporters of Evo Morales, who were marching in support of the constitution, were killed in clashes with antigovernment protesters. The governor of Pando was arrested and accused by the Morales administration of hiring foreign hit men to carry out this attack. This incident is still under investigation.

Evo also demanded that the American Ambassador, Philip Goldberg, leave the country by declaring him a persona non grata. Evo accused the American Ambassador of using U.S. development aid money to interfere in Bolivia’s political process by financing the political opposition and encouraging opposition governors to oppose the new constitution and move toward autonomy. Upon leaving the country, the American embassy arranged for all American citizens in Bolivia to leave the country on charter flights. The United State’s State Department has put Bolivia on the Travel Warning list and warned American citizens to avoid travel to Bolivia. The United States Peace Corps, LDS American missionaries, and many NGOs and nonprofit organizations, have left the country and suspended operations in Bolivia until the current crisis is resolved.

The Morales administration and the political opposition have been negotiating a settlement to the crisis for the last few weeks. They have decided to move ahead with a referendum in January so the Bolivian people can approve or disapprove the new constitution. Evo Morales has agreed to run for only one more presidential term. The underlying issues of autonomy, placement of the national capitol, land redistribution, and distribution of hydrocarbon wealth have still not been resolved. Throughout this whole process, there have been only a few violent clashes. Most of the situation is political in nature (including the U.S. State Department response). Unfortunately international relations between Bolivia and the United States are at the lowest point that they have ever been. Bolivia is rejecting U.S. support for coca eradication programs and is currently threatening to kick the United States DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) out of the country. Bolivia has been placed by President Bush on a list of countries that is not cooperating on anti-drug initiatives and has consequently lost preferred trade privileges with the United States. It is likely that relations will get better in the near future. At the current time, the United State’s State Department recommends that American citizens not travel to Bolivia."

OSU Partnership in Bolivia

2008-06-13T13:56:00.001-06:00

Exciting things are happening between Ohio State University and our villages in Bolivia!

In late 2007, Jay Barney, a professor at the Fisher College of Business, approached us about teaching a class in conjunction with CHOICE work in Bolivia. This past quarter he and a colleague, Sharon Alvarez taught an MBA course about emerging markets and the connection to development. At the end of the class, they and 10 MBA students ventured to the Altiplano of Bolivia to gain firsthand experience of what they had just studied.

During the course of their expedition, the students worked with groups from a village, Muruamaya who were each trying to start a business. Throughout the week, the students and villagers brainstormed, exchanged ideas and learned from each other. For a week, these ambitious MBA students lived as a villager and came to understand deeply what poverty is and how it can limit the opportunities for an entreprenuer.

From those unique group sessions, one very viable business has evolved! The "Suma-Qura" Womens' Textile Group and 5 OSU MBA students are in partnership to export handwoven alpaca scarves with the OSU logo. The scarves will then be sold at the University through gift shops, as department gifts, etc. The group at OSU has "almost" secured the licensing for the logo and has established key relationships with distributors and exporters.

If the project succeeds as expected, the income generated for the womens' groups would at least triple each woman's annual income. And the hope is for the project to expand and grow after this first pilot year.

We'll keep you posted and let us know if you want a scarf!!!

CHOICE Using Improved Technology on Greenhouse Classrooms

2007-10-03T16:44:00.000-06:00

In Challapata, Bolivia, CHOICE is helping to build Greenhouse Classrooms with improved technology. The classrooms are positioned to face the sun and roofed with a special lamina that allows the sunlight to enter the classroom making it a brighter, warmer and better place for learning, catching people’s attention. Initial studies have shown improved overall grades from children learning in these environments, spurring more ongoing research. The process of building these classrooms also relays lessons in square foot gardening. This technique provides more fresh produce and vegetables for the children, improving their diets. This is sure to be a technology which will be replicated by the government and other NGO’s! Se the (almost) finished product below.

Some success stories from Bolivia...

2007-10-01T11:10:00.000-06:00

Willy shared two success stories and CHOICE's impact:

“After an expedition with Keith, we made contact with a young man from France who represents an organization called FERTILE ANDES, a French organization. We have worked with them fabricating a wind pump sharing technologies from each other. He stayed at the CHOICE HQ and was very grateful for our help. We hope to work and/or partner with this organization in the future. We are always searching for more funding and more partnering.”

Another success story…”the community of Calla Baja, after meeting and prioritizing their projects has decided to do a large water system to benefit the entire community…and through their community leaders, are self-managing the project! They have even secured funding for it! CHOICE helped them make contact with PLAN INTERNATIONAL and PLAN INTERNATIONAL has agreed to give them funding for the materials that are required for the project….the same village leaders will administer and manage the funding from PLAN INTERNATIONAL, an amount equivalent to almost 13,000 US Dollars.”

“Also, the Municipal Mayors Office has agreed to give this community 10,000 US Dollars for their project. CHOICE will support this project with technical expertise only and a very small budget. This is a very large project and the community will support it with all the manual labor and materials on hand in the village.”

“CHOICE has spread the philosophy throughout the Altiplano of self managing and developing communities that make empowerment much easier in the village insuring project sustainability. We are really excited about this achievement. Thanks to the good name and the credibility that CHOICE has down here in Bolivia, these organizations have confidence that the money donated to CHOICE villages will be spent wisely and efficiently.”

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"Our projects are always done under the title RURAL DEVELOPMENT of SELF MANAGING COMMUNITIES. We will always do what the community identifies as their priority and with those villages that find a way to help themselves. Then and only then do we intervene, but only to compliment their efforts and only after they themselves have discovered and identified solutions."

Suriquena - A Self-Developing Village

2007-03-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

Willy and his team have been working with the leaders of Suriquena, achieving amazing results with very little funding…

As you know, Willy is an expert at leveraging resources – a recently completed project has taken that reputation to a new level! Suriquena, Bolivia, nestled high in the Altiplano, approached CHOICE about working to do a community center that could be used for literacy classes, meetings, celebrations, etc.

Building a community center is not uncommon, what makes this project unique is the scale of the project and how everyone from a company in the US, CHOICE, the village and the local government put money in to accomplish the community’s vision.

Started in 2005, the municipal government committed 50% of the funding and was inaugurated by the mayor of Batallas, the municipal head. The community has been diligently working over the past year and a half.

With the center completed, 4 surrounding villages and 380 students will now have access to a facility to learn, play, gather, etc. Living at 13,000 feet, the sun, wind and other elements make life hard. Something as simple as a structure means the community can gather and organize.

For the adults in the community, they will be having classes in leadership training, literacy, business, health improvements and community improvement. Willy sees this as a central keystone in the region’s development,

“Establishing the foundation of education and community organization, creates the base for everything else in the village.”

Why does Willy see this village emerging as the next star CHOICE village?

“They’ve used their leadership abilities and the core of principles learned from CHOICE to give them the confidence to approach the government about electrification for the region. They feel empowered and united.”

We have seen a similar dynamic in Mexico, and see this as a clear indicator of a self-developing village. Shortly, they will no longer need assistance from CHOICE and will continue on their path to development.

Single Mother Teaches Strength and Love

2007-02-05T23:30:00.000-07:00

Melanie Dixon, expedition leader, recently spent an afternoon with Teolifa, a single mother of seven, in the altiplano of Bolivia.

“I asked Teofila if she was happy. Her little son José Luis smiled and cheerfully said, ‘I am happy!’ Teofila looked a little grim and didn’t really answer. She asked me what I was going to do with the pictures. I told her about my Global Classroom project and told her that I was going to show the pictures to students in the US so that they could learn about what life was like in Bolivia. She liked that idea.

But she stopped me and pointed down at her shoes—that were broken and old and the sides of her feet were sticking out, exposed. She said, ‘Tell them that we are poor.’ She showed me the water spigot in the middle of her courtyard that doesn’t work. She has to go to the school every day to fill her buckets with water and bring them back. They have done so many projects there at the school, she said, but still, she doesn’t have water.

Teofila and her family live in a one-story, two or three room house that is built of rough adobe bricks. We never saw inside the main living quarters because she said it wasn’t clean enough. The kitchen was a separate room built on the other side of the courtyard. It had an adobe brick oven and was very closed in—the walls blackened from all of the smoke. I can’t imagine what her lungs must look like. There was a bed in the kitchen room, and a make-shift cupboard holding all of the dishes. There was another newer, two-story, manufactured brick building across from her living area. That place, she said, was for her oldest son when he gets married, to move into and raise his family.

She supports her family by working at the school that CHOICE has renovated and is supporting. Despite the struggles that face her everyday, Teofila was warm and loving. From her, I learned what it is to fight for your family and how to be sure of oneself. She was a woman who knows how to work hard to get the best possible options for herself and her children. She was very resourceful and savvy. Her memory has struck me, and I will forever think of her strength.

"I feel grateful that you have come to work with my people."

2006-12-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Conference call with Willy today...

"We see ourselves as being where America was 100 years ago - struggling and impoverished. And are hoping through hard work, we can achieve what Americans have achieved, economically. When the villagers see the expeditioners come down, and how hard they work - they find it inspiring."

Q: Willy, what is your biggest obstacle in your work?
A: Having them work together, and catching the vision.

Q: What is the biggest obstacle for the village?
A: Economic resources. Obviously they don't have money to put towards the project, but what they do have is heart and hard work. They are willing to give all of that.

Q: Why is your work and CHOICE important to these villages?
A: These are the abandoned communities - without CHOICE and companies like LGAA, these communities would be left alone and without opportunity.

Willy went on to explain what a crucial role he sees expeditions playing -

When expeditions come down, both sides benefit:
The Americans are able to learn from the people and learn about another culture.
The Bolivians are advanced because of the expeditioners being there and sharing in their resources.

Willy said it is unbelievable to the villagers that these North Americans would travel all this way to help them. It's a very strong and motivating picture to see North Americans willing to come down and work with them. He used the word "carino" - trying to express a very dear and loving connection between the villagers and expeditioners.

Willy went onto explain that as a result from working with CHOICE and the expeditions coming down, the villagers are starting to think about globalization:
"We all live on this planet and are sharing our cultures."

He closed with his gratitude to all those who have helped and supported the work there in Bolivia:
"I know that there is much need everywhere, and I feel grateful that you have come here to work with my people."

"May we all catch the spirit, the peace and contentment of the people of Bolivia!"

2006-12-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

Bolivia Expedition, First LGAA Employee trip returns...
From Jan Schulz, LGAA Expeditioner:
"The outpouring of generosity beginning with Eric Leavitt and his vision to inspire other Leavitt employees, who are now catching this vision which is, even now, helping to empower the people of Bolivia...

I hope that I can encourage other Leavitt employees to consider lending their support either financially and/or sharing 1st hand the expedition experience of the people, the culture, and the humanitarian projects lead by CHOICE...
It was a privilege to witness the hard working villagers united in purpose for something that all of us take for granted---water! "Agua es vida!!"
"May we all catch the spirit, the peace and content of the people of Bolivia!"

From Melissa Prara, LGAA Expeditioner:
"CHOICE In-Country staff, Willy and Maxima, are truly the most giving, loving people I have ever met. There are not enough words of thanks to such gracious individuals who are there every step of the way; from answering a million questions that I'm sure they have heard a million times before, to taking us by four-wheeler to wherever we needed to go...

I was able to meet some of the most amazing indigenous people of the Andes. There were many blessings bestowed on our group. There were many handshakes from the men and cheek-kissing from the women. There was work accomplished by all. Although not able to verbally communicate very well, there were warm smiles exchanged...
By the end of our expedition, I was confident in the fact we all need each other in every way and I will absolutely do this again."

2006-11-21T17:39:00.000-07:00

From our conference call with Willy on October 17, 2006:

Discussed new projects and new Choice Villages:
i) Sancalixco
(a) School – Library/Admin block
ii) Igachi
(a) School- Library/Admin block
iii) Alta Penas
(a) Sport Court

2) Willy will update ‘top ten’ to include:
a) new projects and new villages
b) and reflect new percentages of completion

3) Discussed projects that will be earmarked for LGAA and Willy expressed that he will very soon be able to demonstrate to LGAA contributors a number of very successful projects and the impact they have had on the villagers and the community.
a) Included in this list are:
i) Chirapaca
ii) Suriquena
iii) Isquillani
iv) Penas
v) Huacuyo
(1) Water system now functions!

4) Willy is all prepared for the expedition. He is waiting for us to send him names and number of participants so he can prepare his budget.

5) Has a CD that is ready to send with updated photos of current projects.

a) He will try to organize, identify, and caption the significance of each photo.

6) Willy is VERY grateful for the funding and expressed his thanks many times to all at CHOICE and LGAA for making this happen!

7) Has a need for a GPS system that will allow them to accurately grid the route needed for water system installation.
a) Need to try and purchase this and bring down in November.

8) Willy was very excited about the Batallas Water Tank. Evidently there was a huge event and in attendance were the LDS Area and mission presidency. Willy was singled out and honored at this event and given the ‘keys’ to the city. They were very impressed with the system and Willy’s work in the area. When asked if LDS Charities was still on board to assist on other projects, Willy said yes! that the relationship he has now with them is solid and they are willing to partner with us on a number of other projects.

Great, positive conference call!

Eric Leavitt's Journal Entry

2006-05-16T10:36:00.000-06:00

23 April, 2006
On approach into Lima Intl. Airport

Words seem somehow inadequate to describe the feelings created in me over the past week. The opportunity to meet, mingle with, embrace, laugh, cry and work side-by-side with the wonderful people of Peñas brought great perspective and clarity to my life. When I first arrived at the village, I was struck most by the stark differences between these people and me. Then differences were manifested in so many different ways. Culturally, socio-economically, linguistically, etc. However, it became clearly apparent after hours of working side-by-side that our similarities were striking. We could be joyful together, we could create together, we could give of ourselves without the expectation of quid pro quo. No guile, no ulterior motives, just plain joyful sharing.

I will never forget the work ethic of my new friends in Peñas. The dedication and community consecration was something we never see in our society. Not only did these observations stir a change in me, I watched with humble gratitude as the young people in our group pitched in without a murmur nor a complaint. They clearly felt the spirit of community and it stirred in them the early feelings of a need to be selfless and not self oriented. What a wonderful gift to receive… whether you are 14 or 44. All of us need to remember that true joy comes from serving others. Giving of yourself and your substance to help a brother or a sister is the path to happiness.

While I could write volumes, my last thoughts are of Willy and Maxima. In a world that places entertainers and athletes (who really provide no lasting or redeeming value) on pedestals, the Willy Mendoza’s of the world are hidden gems. Willy and Maxima’s example of pure love and dedication to a wonderful work is nothing less than inspiring. Finally, thanks to Keith and Melanie who were the perfect combination of leaders, coaches and observers. Your work should not go unnoticed.

We will never forget this experience. We will take the seed of personal change that was planted this week and nurture it. We will use the fruit that comes from this seed of change and do our part in do our part in perpetuating this great work.

We will return.

Eric O. Leavitt

Jana Leavitt's Journal Entry

2006-05-16T10:16:00.000-06:00

Peñas, Bolivia Expedition
April 2006
Journal Entry from Jana Leavitt

April 19, 2006

Well, today was an amazing day in the little village of Peñas. It is located high in the mountains (known as the altiplano) of Bolivia… probably close to 14,000 feet. Our little group of 11 (sponsored by CHOICE Humanitarian) awoke to a beautiful, blue-skied day in a part of the world that clearly could pass as “paradise.” We were greeted by about 150 (maybe 200) students that attend the collegio here. Their faces were so beautiful and their eyes so full of light. There were a variety of responses to the “gringos” (us). Many of the boys seemed curious, but weren’t quite sure how to interact (needless to say, we weren’t that sure ourselves!). The girls seemed quite timid and would hide their faces behind a scarf or a friend’s back; but we eventually won most of them over by afternoon! One of the most striking characteristics in many of the students was their zest for new knowledge. After they became more comfortable around us, they had many questions about the United States, sports, and how to say certain words in English. They all seem to be fluent in both Aymara and Spanish and are learning some words in English.

The project we are assisting in is a new Biblioteca (Library) for the school here… what an amazing addition to the school it will be. Today we alternated between the work of hauling dirt, gravel, and rocks, carrying bricks, and mixing cement. When we’d “run out of steam,” we’d spend time interacting with the students, and the other adults that were volunteering from the community. This was definitively “the icing on the cake.” There is a very evident desire on the part of the adults to improve the facilities and learning experience for the students. The love they feel for the students is amazing. It’s refreshing to see how happy these people are with so very little in the way of worldly belongings. Most of them will probably never leave Peñas to work or further their education, but you can feel of their faith in the future. I think all of us are learning the lesson that material possessions, and positions of prestige do not really make you happy… it’s the satisfaction of sacrificing of time and effort and not expecting anything in return besides the knowledge that you’ve made someone else’s life a little better. In the end, I think we could all say, “Less is more.” I’m anxiously anticipating tow more days of trying to “give back” and hopefully adding a little more sunshine to the lives of the beautiful people in these high mountain valleys.

Jana Leavitt

2006-05-01T15:10:00.000-06:00

Peña is a small, rural village nestled at 13,000 feet in the rocky altiplano of Bolivia. The Spanish word “Peña” refers to the craggy red rocks that form the backdrop of this beautiful farming village. Much of the altiplano is treeless and barren, but surrounding these distinctive rock formations are huge trees, streams, and miles and miles and colorful farmland.

Even though it is small, there is an aura of legend and history that distinguishes Peña from the rest of the surrounding communities, and that lends significance to the presence of a secondary school that draws students in from villages for many miles around.

One of the most famous leaders in all of Bolivian political history was an Aymaran from Peña named Julián Apas, who changed his name to Túpac Katari. Spaniards had conquered Bolivia in the early 1500s, and using the local indigenous people to farm the land, while they levied huge taxes and took most of the profit from the crops. The Bolivians were suffering greatly. The famed Túpac Katari raised an army of 40,000 people and laid siege to the city of La Paz in 1781. The Spanish colonial army eventually crushed the uprising and arrested Túpac Katari. The Spanish took him back to his native village of Peña where they made him an example with a brutal execution. He was tied by his arms and legs to four horses that took off running in different directions, ripping his body to pieces.

He is still a revered martyr throughout Bolivia, and several Bolivian guerilla groups bear his name. Within the political mainstream, the election of Aymaran president Evo Morales was seen by some as the fulfillment of Túpac Katari’s prophecy, “I will return and I will be millions.”

As the birthplace and execution ground of this famous leader, Peña holds a place of importance in the altiplano. Originally a rundown Franciscan missionary school, Julián Túpac Katari College is the site of various CHOICE projects that serve the students as well as the general population of much of the surrounding area. Graduating from this institution gives students the opportunity to pursue higher degrees in universities or technical institutions, allowing them to provide for their families and learn skills that will help them to rise out of the poverty that is pervasive in the altiplano. There are also classes provided for adults.

CHOICE became involved in Peña through the initiative of the village’s leaders. CHOICE projects were happening in the nearby village of Huancuyo, so the leaders of Peña found Willy and told him of their interest in improving their own village. They said they were organized and willing to do whatever he asked. So Willy put them to the test. He helped them procure materials to build a village greenhouse. The village members worked together hard and quickly erected the greenhouse. Now, seven years later, not only is there an operational greenhouse, but a row of pit latrines, four school buildings, and a multi-functional basketball court.

Señor Mariamo Churata Apaza has been working at Julián Túpac Katari College for the last eight years, doing carpentry and plumbing, and helped construct the four CHOICE school buildings. The improvements CHOICE has brought to the school, he said, have dramatically enhanced the students’ learning experience. Before CHOICE, they were using the rundown buildings built by the Franciscans. Now the students are in well-built buildings with windows and desks. The buildings they were using before as latrines were rotten and horrible, he said. And for a school of 200 students, they had had only one playground. With a second court, built through CHOICE funds, all of the students now get to enjoy a space to play soccer, basketball, volleyball, and hold P.E. classes. The quality of this particular school is of great importance to the community because it is the only place students can prepare to go on to the university.

Just prior to the April 2006 expedition, the village authorities decided that the school needed a library, and began digging the foundation and planning for materials for this project. Additionally, the water for the school was being piped from an open and contaminated water source in the mountains with a system that had been built by the Franciscan missionaries. A new, clean, more efficient water system was due, and plans were drawn up for that as well.

Working with men and women volunteers from the village for four days, the expeditioners dug and laid the foundation and raised brick walls for the library, and dug trenches, laid pipe, and screwed in the spigot for a water system that was flowing by the day they left. More than the work, the highlight of the experience for both villagers and expeditioners alike were the conversations, songs, love and laughter shared in between the shovelfuls of dirt and armfuls of brick.