“It was bittersweet”. That’s my answer when someone asks how I would describe my volunteer mission trip to Bolivia in three words.
Sweet, because South America is a continent I like to return to. Bolivia captivates with its blaze of colours, especially since we were there during the preparations for the carnival. The most famous one takes place in Oruro, in the week preceding Lent. And although we returned much earlier, we managed to “catch” the start of the carnival in Cochabamba to see the dance performances and extremely rich costumes with our own eyes.
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The trip was sweet, because isn't it wonderful to take off your jackets and jumpers in the middle of winter and enjoy the sun and summer? But these were just extras to what was the real essence of the trip – our stay at the girls' home in Cochabamba.
It began with emotion, because, exhausted from the long journey, we were greeted very warmly. We arrived early in the morning, before the girls left for school, and the whole group welcomed us with flags – Bolivian and Polish, white and red flowers, songs and lots of hugs. We were deeply moved. Our hearts were stolen immediately. The following days only deepened these budding warm bonds.
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The girls enjoyed spending time with us, and we enjoyed spending time with them. There are about 60 girls living at the home, 20 primary school girls, 20 secondary school girls and about 20 university students. The home, yes – a home, not a centre, because you can feel the warmth and family atmosphere at every turn – runs like clockwork. The girls are wonderfully organized and share the responsibilities of cleaning, cooking and looking after each other in preparation for school (homework, combing their hair, getting dressed). In their free time, they spend time outdoors around the house, enjoying a garden, a small playground, and the latest hit – a newly built sports field (thanks to the 1.5% tax deduction campaign by the Dehonian Donors), where they can play football and dance, even on rainy days, because the field is covered by a lean-to. We were able to experience this ourselves, as the girls prepared a wonderful dance performance for us as our farewell party, lasting over three hours (!), showcasing dances from various regions of Bolivia. This was meant to compensate for our departure from Bolivia before Carnival. And the performance was truly royal! Dancing is one of the girls' favourite activities. In turn, we had the opportunity to teach them the polonaise. I could go on and on about the girls, because they are truly wonderful, joyful, and warm-hearted – it was an honour and a joy to spend time with them. It was clear that the joy was mutual, and the girls eagerly participated in the games and activities offered, from sports and dancing to baking and decorating gingerbread cookies.
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I must mention here that we are deeply impressed by the way the home is run by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Seeing how spotlessly clean everything is, and how well cared for and cheerful the girls are, it's hard to believe that only three sisters care for them. Sister Anna, who manages the orphanage, is a true motherly angel. Despite her many activities, she always finds time to listen to each girl and understand her problems. All the sisters are like angels sent from heaven to these girls. And their work is incredibly demanding, as 60 girls are a real challenge, plus they have to manage the house and the entire infrastructure. And the girls' stories are often incredibly difficult… Sometimes so difficult that many adults wouldn't be able to bear such burdens. That's why I wrote that the impressions from the trip are bittersweet. This bitterness is embodied in the girls' stories and the daily hardships of life in this country.
Bolivia is a very poor country, and in Cochabamba itself there is a lot of crime, including drug cartel conflicts. It's crucial to be very careful and attentive, not only to take care of the girls but also to protect them and teach them how to cope later in life in such a demanding country. This is especially true given the limited opportunities for women in Bolivia to pursue. That's why it's all the more important to point out with pride that the majority of the older girls are studying subjects such as pharmacy, nursing, accounting, and pedagogy. They combine their studies with part-time work to pay their tuition, while also caring for the young charges at the home. Brave girls! I'm full of admiration for them, and for the sisters.
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To conclude these trip memories, I'd like to warmly invite everyone to support the girls' home in Cochabamba. It's a truly sacred place, where the efforts and kindness of the sisters who care for the children bear beautiful fruit. There's already a lot of work, so relieving the sisters of their worries about their livelihood would be a great help, as well as supporting the girls in their learning and development. These are wonderful children who, from the start, were deprived of what every child needs to grow – a safe and loving family. Let's help them and the sisters maintain this home in Cochabamba. Donations can be sent to the Dehonian Missions account, or by donating 1.5% of your tax to the home in Cochabamba. From the bottom of my heart, I ask and thank you! It's worth it!
Luiza Chrzanowska
