Thursday 8/20

Normal morning routine and on the road by 7:30. We all got a chuckle of how much of the previous day’s confetti was still with us. It showed up everywhere! In pockets, hoods and kept even seeing it on the floors of the elevators and restaurant. Today we were headed to another village and ADP, Tiraque. The Tiraque ADP is closing next month so we were going to see a mature ADP and all the things that have been accomplished since it opened in 1996. It was a little longer drive with the dry hills and cliff but also some vegetation, but no hints of Hawaii here.
The town of Tiraque seemed so much more developed, as we drove in – more completed brick homes with tile roofs – the best kind. The ADP headquarters is a lovely light big building that will pass to the village when the ADP closes. It will be used for educational purposes. There is a library, a computer lab, room for offices. It will be a wonderful gift to the community.
Up in a room on the second floor, we settled in for meetings. Interesting note – on past trips, WV senior staff all speak English. That has not been the case here so George, our translator, has been very busy. However, he is the soul of patience and never seems to get tired. He is quite a gift to us.
We started with devotions which set the day right. We sang a couple of songs – the second one was just beautiful and we got enough of the words to be deeply moved by it. Then a staff member shared some words from Isaiah – “I chose you. I am with you.” The staff are grieving this ADP closing. At its height, there were 22 staff members and now there are only three. The ADP manager, Nelvy, is so proud of what they have done but so sad that they are leaving. These people have invested their lives in these people for many years. It is very bittersweet.
After seeing the challenges of Colomi the past two days, it was so amazingly encouraging to hear the success of this area and know this will be the future for Colomi. That program has been in place for five years.
We heard about the improvements in agriculture, support for children in their health, nutrition, education, women’s groups, covered sports fields, school materials, early childhood ed, and music and dance programs. An excellent video had been made to sum up the history of the project. And it had a large number of darling children. – always a good idea!
The most important agriculture program here is the guinea pig project. Guinea pigs are very high in protein, low in fat, reproduce and mature rapidly. WV supports a team of three which works with local producers. There is a technical trainer, a vet, and a nutritionist. We heard about that program and then were shown around the ADP building. It really is a great facility. Next was a real highlight for me – we met with the youth council. I just love that WV is so intentional about working with young people! I have seen this in other countries. One of the rooms in the building is the meeting place for these kids, ranging in age from 9 to 19. The president is a firecracker of a little girl who is a sponsored child. She shared about their work, along with a couple of the others. They emphasize sports teams to give kids something to do and keep out of trouble. There is an amazing covered stadium in this little town of dirt streets! Kids play soccer there every week night and they have competitions. Both boys and girls have teams. The kids also have representation at the municipal level and their concerns are taken seriously. They hold work shops about values like hard work, self protection, advocacy and about 150 kids attend each one! Their enthusiasm and willingness is infectious. I just love this stuff and admire them so!
After a big group photo, we headed upstairs for a very generous lunch. We had been given a heads up that guinea pig would be served. We had seen it being prepared in the kitchen earlier, as a chef was teaching other women ways to prepare it. The smells were actually very good and it was prepared in two forms. There was also chicken and numerous side dishes so it was not our only option. Most us took at least one bite and were pleasantly surprised at how good it was!
After lunch and farewells, which I hate – there are just too many of them on a trip like this, back to the bus to go visit two guinea pig projects. The first was a small operation but the woman is making real headway. The guinea pigs are kept in small brick or concrete pens, one right beside the other. There is thick straw on the ground and they are monitored rigorously, as they have been taught by WV. Some are kept aside for breeding and are called “the ladies!”
We weren’t her too long and then loaded up to visit one more site. The day was getting on and internally I was feeling – really? We’ve already seen one. Aren’t they all alike? I was tired and wanted to head back to the hotel which was still a good hour and a half away. Well, as always, God knows better.
We bumped along to this second site and were met by Christian, a 23 year old young man who runs this business. He was incredible! He is the oldest in his family of three younger brothers and a sister. His parents are living but have some issues so he is the head of the family. His sister is 17 and pregnant so that is another issue.
Christian grew up very poor but just thought this was the way people lived. When he started school, his eyes were opened and he eventually went to university. It is free here but there are still room and board expenses so that makes it out of reach for many. He was a sponsored child so that gave him opportunities. At university, he studied business administration but did have to leave late last year to help his family.
They were already raising guinea pigs but mainly for their own use. He applied for a Vision Fund loan, got training and began a large guinea pig production. Starting in January, he and his brothers built this very large facility of brick to house the guinea pigs. He now has over 700 and has room for many more. The facility was immaculate and Christian knew all about caring for the pigs and marketing and administration. He works incredibly hard but has such passion and dedication to his family. He loves the Lord and has great plans for the future. He is absolutely amazing!
We toured the large barn and saw all the little guinea pigs. There were some babies too and they were so cute. Sandy and I got to hold this little one – so soft and sweet. We were all glad we had eaten prior to this visit! It would have been hard after seeing these little guys.
We had to head out, but it was such an inspiring visit! Back to Cochabamba where we had a little time to visit a few craft shops – power shopping! In and out in a half hour! Back to the hotel for dinner and some lovely wine. Off to bed at a decent hour which helped as we had to leave the hotel at 6:30 am to catch our flight back to La Paz.
This time in Cochabamba has been so rich and intense. People here will always remain in our hearts – for me, especially Lineth.
Good night.