Welcome to Perspectives from Latin America, a newsletter by university students forelementary, middle school and high school students. Through this newsletter we hope thatyou gain new perspectives about the countries of Latin America from the experiences of those who have lived or traveled there. Perspectives will contain articles written by students of the University of Notre Dame. These students are from Latin America or have studied, interned or traveled to the region. Their articles will cover unique experiences they have had in Latin America and will inform you about the culture, people, and politics of the region. Because the authors are students at Notre Dame, they are available to visit your classrooms. If you are interested in any particular article and would like to meet the author, let us know and we will arrange that meeting. Perspectives will also include upcoming local events related to Latin America. Once you begin reading and learning about Latin America, we hope you will want to participate in as manyactivities related to the region as possible. Enjoy the articles and we look forward to seeing you at our events!PERSPECTIVES FROM BOLIVIA Kathy Monticello, SeniorDepartment of Political Science This summer I had an internship with the Foundation for Sustainable Development in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I lived with an inspiring Bolivian family of volunteer firefighters and worked with a non-profit organization called Infante that promotes human rights forwomen, children and families. When I arrived in Bolivia in early June and began my internship, the political situation was extremely tense. Demonstrations and road blockages that among other things demanded the nationalization of the natural gas industry eventually resulted in the resig- nation of President Carlos Mesa. For me, that meant a few days at home with my Bolivian family and a bit of uncertainty about the rest of my summer. Finally there was calm and a temporary president was put in place. I was able to return to work, but the issues and ten- sions still lingered heavily. At Infante, national politics took centerstage. I helped present workshops to women leaders and adolescents in the community about the resignation of the president, the issues of nationalization, autonomy and coca, and most recently about the distinctions between the political candidates for the elec- tions set to occur in December 2005. Although there was great concern in the daily discussions I had in the office and in the com- munity about these issues and the political squabbles surrounding them, there was also a r emarkable sense of hope for the possibilities for Bolivia. Amid great uncertainty and despair I found an incredibly vibrant and thriving culture that affected all of the experiences I had wth Bolivians and their country: the many amaz- ing family gatherings and festivals I went to on the weekends, dancing cueca and drinking chichi (a traditional drink made from ferment- ed corn) with my coworkers for the national independence day, giving offerings to the Pachamama, or mother earth, deep within a mine in Potosi, staying in a salt hotel in the desolate Salar de Uyuni, and playing with monkeys in the coca rich Chapare. In the end I learned how extremely compli- cated the situation in Bolivia remains. However, what I saw beyond the discouraging divisions and challenges is that Bolivians have great pride in their country and are hopeful for w hat it may one day be. I learned that one of the greatest hopes for the future ofBolivia is in education in every form, but espe- cially in the type of education that Infante pro- vides to the community, that empowers peo- ple with their rights. I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to experience such an amazing culture and people during such a momentous point in their history. Monticello with children in Bolivia
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