November 10th
Welcome to Bolivia
This update is a little different because it is an up- close perspective on the current civil strike happening across Bolivia from Nadja, a new volunteer who recently came to Santa Cruz from Germany.
Nadja’s Perspective
“Bienvenida a Bolivia”, (“Welcome to Bolivia”) were the words my host sister greeted me with as we stepped into the crowd that had gathered under the bridge where the big Avenida and the 5th ring cross. It was around 9pm, the sun had set, the heat slowly dissipating, the atmosphere lured the people onto the street. Some were guarding the blocks, others were sitting together eating Empanadas and drinking tea, children were playing under the now useless traffic lights; everything vibrated, full of people, full of laughter, full of life. “Are they staying here the whole night?” she asked. “Some are. The patriotic ones”, was the answer. We just sat on the edge of the sidewalk, soaking up the energy within this place.
Can you imagine how challenging it might be for her to spend her first days in the middle of a civil strike?
Nadja is a volunteer we recently received from Germany. She will be staying with us around a year.
SOME BACKGROUND
Today, Saturday October 29th, is one week since a civil strike began in the state of Santa Cruz. A strike means that there are blockades everywhere inside the city and across the State. No one can drive, most businesses are closed and classes are again online.
Markets and grocery stores are open three times a week, for a few hours in the morning, but everything else is shut down.
The Civic Government and society in general are protesting the fact that the Federal Government refuses to hold an old- fashioned door to door national census. According to our Constitution, a national census must be held every 10 years. The last census taken was in 2012 and the Federal Government decided to hold the next one in 2024.
The way our country works, when there is not a census, the people are virtually invisible to the Government. The census is the only way budgets are approved, resources are allocated, representation in Federal Government is given and national policies are designed.
Going back to Nadja
“It’s interesting to see how people find their way around the blocks, in a literal way (because no matter how small the gap between the sidewalk and the people standing next to it is, you can be sure a motorcycle fits through!) In a metaphorical way, these blocks don’t stop you, instead just plan your way around them. The avenues cannot be used? Great, play football on them. Nowhere to go with your friends because everything is closed? Just sit on the sidewalk eating an ice cream someone is selling. At a glance, it all shows how simple life can be if you’re willing to be flexible.”
“What must that be like, I wondered. This strike gives me some insight on Bolivian politics and the unity of the people, but still: I am just a spectator, romanticizing a real issue Bolivians are fighting against right now. For me, it means spending more time at home, being able to sleep in, going for a walk in the middle of a three- lane street, kind of waiting for life to go on which is very similar to the lockdowns we all are used to now. What does it really mean to sit on those blocks, spending your night and day on the street ‘standing up’ for what you’re fighting for?”
So here we sit. I’m not sure what’s going to happen. It’s peaceful where we are, although in the south of the city there has been some fighting between folks from Santa Cruz and those who support our Federal Government. Other States began to join the strike yesterday and there is turmoil for several reasons across the country.
Despite the strike we are picking up and taking staff everyday from the girls home (because there is no public transportation) and Diego is visiting the community. Next some pictures from last Thursday’s home visits.
Please be praying. First for the power struggle to end! As you can imagine it all affects the vulnerable the most, for example each of the families of the girls with which we work. Secondly for the team that is arriving to Bolivia from the United States on Wednesday, November the 2nd. Our desire is for them to experience Bolivia, Santa Cruz and Amparo at its fullest and we have been planning for this for several months now.