The sunset from CEAAT
One of our most exciting moments of the trip came when the group bought a copy of the Chaqueno, a national Bolivian newspaper, and opened to the second page to find a picture of our previous day’s interview with the Villa Montes assemblymen. During the interview Jim had been pulled aside by a reporter and the next day our mission in Bolivia was regional news.
Also in the news that day was an announcement that all schools in the region would be closed for at least the rest of the week due to a teacher’s strike. We felt pretty helpless at this point since our plans for the week included student interviews and filming classes. Although CEAAT technically still had school, it would be unlikely that students would show, since no Colegio meant an opportunity to take a vacation from school or help out their families at home. Living here over the past few weeks has taught us that a schedule is never concrete; as one of the assemblymen said, “disorder is the kind of order that works here”. And we have happily grown accustomed to this flexibility.
To our relief, some students trickled in on Tuesday, including Fernando. We snagged him immediately for the interview that we had been looking forward to all week. Fernando spoke proudly about his two-year involvement in the school, his desire to continue his technical training, and to become a self-sustained agricultural producer. He began his interview expressing his thanks for having the chance to speak to the Students of the World audience. Fernando is one of those kids you immediately connect with without a word between you, and he only proves kinder and more capable the more time you spend with him. You can’t help but hope the best for him, and know he will achieve it.
The next afternoon, in place of classes, our campus filled with mothers for a meeting with Marcelino. At the meeting Marcelino reiterated the vision of the school and emphasized their need for parental support. This was followed by giving out progress reports and then an announcement that there would be elections! The group would choose a board made up of mothers to organize social events and fundraisers for the school. The mothers were hesitant since issues of time, distance, and finances prevented them from offering more of their time. They nominated one another and finally a reluctant board was chosen. All seemed glad in the end with the decisions and the debate was closed.
We ended the night in town at our favorite restaurant, Ariego, where we enjoy some of the best steak any of us have had, and for less than $5. This place alone makes a trip through Villa Montes worthwhile.
- Nessa