Villa Ingenio Program Launch

Today, we launched our second children’s community program in El Alto; this one in Villa Ingenio, and it was another heart-rending day. I counted 26 children and 11 mothers, inside the hall, as we entered; most households are single mother families. Hard to miss, was a sign of welcome on the back wall containing our names. Yet the children were still and quiet, a contrast from our established facility in Tahuantisuyo, with the children dancing, singing and laughing when we arrived.

Joel introduced us individually, and the children held up their hands shouting ‘Bienvenidos’ and each of our names, as we stood up and waved. Then they sang as a group, before performing individually. Three older girls and two younger girls danced; one boy played a zampona (pan flute), accompanied by a girl on a drum and another with a rattle, then, several sang solos. They performed haltingly, keeping their eyes down – we clapped and called out ‘Bravo!’, along with the parents, as they scuttled back to their seats.

Our new partner Joel, who will run the program, had picked us up at the Teleferico cable car and driven us and our suitcase of gifts to the facility. Funny thing, we had to pay for an extra person, in order to bring the suitcase onto the cable car. The program will be temporarily housed in a church hall with a secure courtyard and, after a question-and-answer session within the courtyard to clarify the program on offer, we entered the hall. We had with us our Bolivian employee and interpreter Daniel, who’ll oversee the program and our accountant, Vierca, a key liaison person for charities and Bolivians in need.

 

After the show, we handed out maple leaf candies to everyone, then Carol let them each choose a Hot Wheels car. Joel’s wife Sonya, who had managed the families throughout the afternoon, served tea and a sandwich to each of the adults. As we ate, the kids played, and I took pictures. I tried to photograph one little guy – he’d smile and stand still but the instant I snapped, he’d push his Hot Wheels car in my face – I’d get a part of his face in focus and a blue blob of car…

 

We confirmed that there will be forty children in the program, initially, aged between 7 and 12 years old, and they will attend the program on Saturdays for educational activities and a nutritional snack. Our intent is to grow the program to half days on weekdays, and to increase the number of participants.

As the afternoon drew to a close, we interviewed several mothers about their expectations for the centre, so they’d know their voices matter; they spoke about wanting a better life for their children. 

Finally, Joel and Matt signed the agreement that formalized the program, then shook hands. Matt and I had taken lots of pictures, including a group shot. 

 

The afternoon ended, as all our meetings had, so far, with hugs and words of thanks, from each person in turn. I couldn’t understand most of what they said, but the communication was clear and warm.