Care and Community Volunteer Stories, Bolivia

Care and Community in Bolivia - Chris Turner
The best way to convey how I now feel about my time in Bolivia would be to tell you one fact. That fact being that every day when I get out of bed I miss Bolivia, and more specifically Cochabamba. However, I don’t mean to mislead you into thinking I don’t enjoy my life in England right now, yet it somehow just comes up a little short whenever I compare it to my South American experience.

Care and Community in Bolivia - Katy Fraser
I sat down on one of the many mattresses that covered the floor and instantly I was surrounded by kids, a mixture of our girls from Maria Cristina and boys from a neighboring orphanage, all vying to sit next to me. The distribution of popcorn and dimming of the lights brought a hush because tonight was a very special night! Tonight was the first and only performance of Caperucita Roja (Little Red Riding Hood) performed by our girls. Despite some forgotten lines and a few missed marks the play went well and I was brimming with pride and extremely happy for the girls. I was particularly proud of the performance of our hero, the woodcutter, played by a normally tough little eight year old named Soledad who had spent all morning crying because she didn't want to perform.

Care and Community in Bolivia - Diana Jones
On being informed that I would be working at Maria Christina, a home for mentally disabled street children, I have to admit that I was filled with trepidation. Not only could I not speak any Spanish, but I had no experience working with children with disabilities. However, my initial fears were short-lived. On walking into the home, I was attacked with endless hugs and cries of "tia tia!" (aunty, aunty), and huge smiles! I immediately knew that I had chosen the right project for me, and I knew that not only would I love my time at Maria Christina, but also that I would find it incredibly hard to leave. Besides falling in love with the children at first sight, my other first impression was the poor condition of the home and the children.