Helping improve lives, One child at a time.

This week we have Amanda Gavan, a dancer from New York here. She is teaching two classes a day to our girls and some children from another home. The classes are two and half hours and are held at a theater that has allowed us to use their space. We have 10 girls that are 11-15 in the morning and 12 kids that are 6-10 in the afternoon. Though it has been quite hot here, the children are practicing very hard and getting better every day. We only have one more practice after today because World AIDS Day, December 1st is Tuesday. They will be presenting in the main plaza in Cochabamba as part of the Feria for the celebration of the day.

Ninos con Valor is one of the leading groups working on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS in Bolivia and the only group representing children with the disease. All of our kids will be attending the event, whether dancing or not as we try to spread the message that this is not just an adult issue. We are sharing the knowledge that children are affected by the disease and have the opportunity to live long and healthy lives with the medications available today. Though the prevalence rate in Bolivia is very low compared to Africa and Southeast Asian countries, the problem is growing. In the past three years the number of people living with HIV/AIDS has doubled every year and is still a condition with a strong stigma. We are trying to get the word out that people should be accepted and integrated and are able to live full lives. And we are doing so for children especially, because no one else is doing it.

These dances are a great opportunity for our children to learn a new form of expression. The modern routines they will be performing are quite different than their tradition Bolivian dances that they usually do, so it has been a great experience. Also, working with children from other homes has been great for the girls as well. Making new friends, learning new movements, and working together is proving to be a growing experience. Seeing their change throughout the week has been so fun, and we thank Amanda for this incredible opportunity. Her energy and creativity has inspired the girls to work very hard. She has been so wonderful with the girls and her patience and ability to adapt and make this work has truly been a blessing. Thank you Amanda!

We'll let you all know how the performance goes Tuesday, keep us in your thoughts!
Thank you,
Kelley

It was an incredible meal with wonderful company, and I'm very grateful that Kelley suggested we do the cheesy go-around "this is what I'm thankful for" activity later that evening. I know that I am very grateful to be here, especially for the second time. Coming here two years ago made me involve myself very differently in my city when I returned to Canada... I realized my need for community, to be part of something much bigger than myself, much bigger than any university degree or 'profession'. I realized that I cannot go it alone. I realized that I need to immerse myself wherever I am, and because of this I've developed absolutely wonderful relationships here in Bolivia with my diverse group of friends, my host family, the kids and the tias. I've also been learning more about life here in Bolivia, about the harsh realities and also the beautiful ones. I find myself very attached to this community, which is going to make it very hard to leave in January, probably even harder than last time. It's weird, being in love with two places in very different parts of the world, geographically and culturally. I'm trying to figure out how this might look in my life, in years to come.

But I wouldn't trade this experience for anything, or distance myself to make it 'easier' to leave. I am grateful for the strong sense of community I feel here and in Canada. Being in Bolivia two years ago also helped me learn to be o.k with uncertainty, with 'not-knowing' about a lot of things: the mystery of God, the absence of justice in the world, how to truly love your neighbourand your enemy, how to figure out where to go next in life. I am constantly seeking and learning and as frustrating/confusing as it can be I think it's the best way to live.

Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday meant a lot to me. It also meant a lot to feel so loved and celebrated by friends and family in many parts of the world last week, when I celebrated my 22nd birthday. Life never ceases to catch me off guard, and while I'm at a bit of an awkward place in it right now, I still feel content and very grateful.

The sunsets here every evening are always amazing, so I guess I will end by sharing a photo of the incredible sky Saturday evening. I am always in awe of the sky, and the sunsets are just one of infinite ways that we can experience God, or that 'something bigger than ourselves', which gives us faith amidst uncertainty.

As Jeanette mentioned it has been a bit crazy at the girls home. Not bad crazy, but dealing with 22 girls each in a different stage of life with a different mood can be a challenge. And it's hard to stay completely positive and not lose it. But I am trying and I love those girls so much that every day I do leave with a smile on my face having stayed an extra half and hour just to hang out.

Our tia who has been out with the hip surgery will not be coming back for another week, but we have hired two new ones. Our day tia, Tania who specializes in educational support is awesome. She sticks to the rules and is very patient with the girls. Still learning their names and personalities, she is gaining their respect with her activities and just the way she gets things done daily. Cynthia, the night tia is also great. She is so sweet and seems really good with the girls. I don't know her as well since I don't work nights. But they are both total Godsends, so it seems. They have both learned the ropes very quickly and the routine and schedule does not seem to overwhelm them. I mean, I'm sure they are having their troubles, but really I am impressed. It takes an incredible amount of dedication to do what they do. Their days are long and trying, and of course they are not swimming in salary, so I just really am so thankful for these women. And I am very excited for CdP and what this means for its growth for the girls.

Since so many of them are at ages where they are changing in so many ways, it is really great to have good staff and great volunteers. I must say that Kimber is amazing with the girls home. Since she has been spending time there, the girls are taking responsibility for their actions, which is not easy for anyone, let alone a seven year old who has been neglected her whole life. But all I'm trying to say is that I am really excited about the next few months. The girls are all finishing up their exams and will be on summer vacation. I know the volunteers have lots of stuff we want to do with them, so with the support of the tias, this vacation should be a great one. I am just so happy I decided to come here and have decided to continue my work for some time with Ninos con Valor because it really is something special.

-Kelley

It has been a whirlwind of a week. Last Monday feels like ages ago, but at the same time the days are flying by. Time is weird that way. Most days this past week I've come home from CDP absolutely exhausted and slightly frustrated. With our younger girls misbehaving, I feel like I've been yelling a lot and losing my patience, and yelling definitely is not something I enjoy. And then I feel bad... for having a negative attitude, for being hard on the girls, for not valuing every moment I have here.

Yesterday was my birthday and I usually don't work at the girls home. But I have Weds mornings off and they had asked me to come over at night and of course I did. To be honest I was really kind of upset that I wasn't going to get to see them, so I was actually excited. When I got there it was the usual post-dinner fun of 22 girls. I was greeted with giant hugs and "Feliz Cumpleanos" from smiling girls. I couldn't have been happier. Tia Lucias birthday was Saturday and that was her time off, so we both celebrated together last night. The girls were busily finishing the decoration of the cake and making giant posters for Lucia and me.

I must say I was a little nervous for the whole taking a bite of the cake thing because I thought they would push my head in it. But Lucia and I made our wishes and took our bites, faces clean. Kimber and Zulma taking photos said they both missed the photo, so we did it again, surely this time our faces covered in chocolate cream. This was one of the best (I think probably THE BEST) birthday cake I have ever had just because I knew what went into it. And it was absolutely delicious because Kimber ran the baking endeavor.

It was a night filled of hugs and laughs and then I got to continue with our Wednesday night volunteer meeting, which is always a much looked forward time in my week. It was a great day. I got to talk to my mom in the morning and the rest of my family and some friends during the weekend, so I wasn't feeling sad and far away. But despite the distance I was still surrounded by so much love and amazing family. That's the thing about being here in Cochabomba with Ninos con Valor, I really have gotten to become a part of an amazing community. And for this I am blessed every day that I am here. Our girls and volunteers and staff are really quite special. Thank you everyone.

Kelley

So I'm writing a day early, because I will be staying overnight at the girls' home tomorrow and likely won't get a chance on the internet.