Change in Location

Many changes have taken place since my last blog entry. Our SALT group traveled to Moro Moro, a remote city in the Mountains, for a re-scheduled orientation trip due to the conflicts back in September. A MCC team lives there, along with another SALTer, working at providing clean, running water to the people. They utilize natural springs and through a system of tanks and piping, fresh drinking water is available for families. The SALTer living there, along with another volunteer, also help construct dry latrines which not only provide bathroom services, but fertilization for their gardens as well. All in all it was a good escape and break for us SALTers and a chance to experience a 10 hour bus ride on less than desirable dirt roads. More often than not we would pass very close to the edge of cliff allowing the window-seat passengers to feel a little uncomfortable. During the rainy season the passage is quite dangerous and one of the volunteers entertained us with stories of close calls while making the trip during the rainy months. The cold weather was also a wonderful break from the heat here in Concepcion and hiking through the mountains provided much needed exercise.

Before leaving for Moro Moro though, I had a meeting about my job here in Concepcion. My original job did not turn out as anticipated and basically there is only enough work for one person instead of two. In the coming months the library will also not be funded by Plan International who MCC works which raises some questions about the future. Instead the city government will provide funding. Therefore the new job was presented and left up for me to decide. A very difficult decision for me to contemplate given the relationships I have established with my host family and others in the community. This also means I will basically have to "start over" again, getting accustomed to a new location, host family and work environment. However I will possibily return to the libary for one week in February when they plan on having activities.

I will be living about an hour away from the MCC center in the Plan 3000 with a host family. This suburb (I use this term for lack of a better word. The Plan 3000 is not an escape from the poorer parts of the city) was constructed to accommodate for the rapid growth of the city. It is a poorer neighborhood and where a considerable amount of violence took place back in September. The library in the Plan 3000 is supported by the Catholic Church and a 16 year old male (Maurico, who will also be my host brother) works part time in the library while also attending school. Thus the library is not consistently open while he is away which does not provide a consistent opportunity for people to utilize its resources. Therefore I will be supporting Maurico, attending to the library while he is at school. Living closer to the MCC office also allows me to support Sandra who is in charge of the library program for MCC. The volunteer who was previously working with her finished their three year term which will not be filled by another volunteer. This leaves Sandra rather busy and she would appreciate my support.

Due to the violence back in September, there is also the possibility of me supporting and working with the Catholic Church on a peace commission. The church desires to provide a safe place where dialogue can take place and the idea is that the library could provide such an opportunity. I do not know all of the specifics, but this sounds like an exciting opportunity. We will just have to patiently wait and see what can possibly develop.

The MCC office will be celebrating Christmas December 19 which means I will move from Concepcion the 18th and move in with my new host family within the next week. I am learning to adapt to the unexpected during my time here in Boliva, something Bolivians are experts at. I have appreciated all your prayers and God Bless.