Well, it is summer time here in Bolivia and all 43 girls are home all day every day. So in other words parents or camp councilors if you know of any fun summer activities (please keep in mind we have limited resources here) please comment below. Katie and I are looking for anything to help the girls have a fun summer!
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Here is an idea of my typical day here in Cochabamba. I know it is a little lengthy, but there were just so many things I wanted to share and I really wanted you to have good idea of everything that I do in one day here. Special thanks to Katie and all the girls for shooting so much of this and putting up with my filming for a whole day. I hope you enjoy! Once every two or three weeks the cook goes to the market to buy fresh vegetables for the next few weeks. First thing in the morning when she returns all of the girls are responsible for prepping them. The younger girls peal the beans and the older girls dice the green beans and carrots. It is an all day event, but it my favorite because I have a task and the girls just hang out and talk. Although I don't always know what they are saying they love to tell me their stories and I love to listen.
Here in Bolivia, Halloween isn't exactly celebrated here like it in the US. However, on November 2, All Souls Day, we celebrate all those who we have lost. Many people from all around gather in the local cemetery to celebrate. The celebrations begin with a reading of all the names that have been lost (I was able to add my loved ones who I have lost, special remembrance to my grandparents, Margie, Milton, Martha, and Francis), followed by mass. After mass all those with loved ones set up decorations, their finest foods and beverages on the graves of their lost loved ones. The families hang out for the day and celebrate the lives of their lost ones while children run around and stop at each grave to pray that the souls of those lost will make it to heaven. In return for their prays the families give out bread. This is a day of celebration of the lives that have been lost and full of prayer that their souls will rise into heaven. I had a great time spending the holiday with the girls and experiencing this holiday in another culture. |
Erin Brennan
For the next year I am volunteering as a Salesian Lay Missioner in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I am living in an orphanage of 45 girls and amongst the religious community of the Daughters of the Divine Savior from El Salvador. Archives
November 2016
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