NCV Newsletter Update: January 2011

Greetings from Cochabamba, Bolivia!

When we first started trying to put into words our core values as an organization, despite our efforts to be original and avoid cliché, we kept finding ourselves back at the image of a drop hitting still waters. As we all know, even the smallest drop will create ripples on the water's surface.

What we realized early on was that while the challenges facing children in Bolivia are mountainous, and our vision to surmount these challenges is even bigger, we are small. And while heroic stories like David and Goliath give hope of victory over such obstacles, we recognized that heroes are products of their surroundings. In fact, for good or bad, we all owe much of who we are to untold numbers of individuals and circumstances outside of our control. We understood, then, that victory over the challenges our children are facing start with us, the people closest to them, and the environment we are able to create for them.

Thus, the ripple effect became for us a model for our programs and formed our perspective on the relationship between you, our supporters, and our projects. Here in Bolivia, we have the benefit of seeing the small daily victories in the lives of each child in our care. From a distance, however, it is sometimes difficult to see beyond the small 'drop' being invested, whether that be as a financial supporter, a volunteer or a short-term team.

In this newsletter, then, by sharing stories of a recent team that came down to visit, the work of our volunteers, and of your financial contributions, we want to share with you how real this ripple effect is.

Paz y Bendiciones,
Tyson Malo
International Director

Last year, we sent out a newsletter highlighting some of the dramatic changes we have seen in the girls of Corazón del Pastor. The examples given reflect years of invested love, time and resources. However, the impact we are now able to see looking back, was not always evident in the moment.

During our debrief with our most recent short-term team, from Living Waters Fellowship Church in Canada, a frequent question came up of what level of impact teams can really have in such a short period of time. This team of 23 was able to invest in all of our programs, including a Vacation Bible School with CDP, Kindermusik time with all of our little ones at PDC, helping out with our rural community outreaches, as well as painting at PDC and doing home renovations for one of our OAT families. These are examples of activities that have lasting, long-term effects, though these ripples may be hard to see in the moment.

Join us as we journey through the ripple-making adventure that was January 2011!

The Living Waters team appropriately based their VBS around Bible stories with the theme of water. From the youngest to the oldest, all had a great time with the lessons, songs, special snacks and crafts!

Left - Denise from the team doing a craft with the girls during VBS.
Right - The girls enjoying the presentation of the Bible story through puppets.

Left & Right - Sofia and Alandra teaching team members some Bolivian clapping games.

Our 5th annual Moda Loca (Crazy Fashion party) did not disappoint! It was fun to see everyone get really into it and have a great time strutting their stuff on the runway and dancing up a storm.

Left - Zamora with one of our tia's daughters dancing at Moda Loca.
Right - Team couple Jim and Bonnie going all out for Moda Loca.

Left - Three of our volunteers- Clare, Megan and Carla joining in the craziness.
Right - Teammate, Alyssa, getting wild on the dance floor with Abigail.

Left - Tias Celia and Paola working the runway.
Right - Lacey, Sarah and Kelitta wowing us all.

Left - Tim and Craig showing us how it's done!
Right - Tyson succeeding in yet again outdoing himself.

The kids at PDC were blessed in so many ways by this team. Gail headed up Kindermusik time that involved introducing our kids to music and movement in a new way with instruments, games and crafts. We also had a talented painting team that created an adorable play area in the dining room. The team also provided tons of desperately needed cloth diapers as well as school supplies, vitamins, blankets, clothes and the list keeps just going on and on!

Left - One of our awesome kids from the team teaching one of our awesome PDC kids how to play the drum.
Right - Guillermo and Lucas decorating their windchimes.

Left - Gail and Victoria hanging together during Kindermusik time.
Right - It was great to see Manolo concentrating so hard playing the drum.

Left & Right - Here you get to see both sides of the playhouse painting project.

Left - Nohemi with her beautifully crochet blanket from The Jabez Project.
Right - Alexis teaching her new teddy bear how to ride the tricycle.

Above - At first the kids weren't sure what to do with the scarves, but as the week went on they really enjoyed playing with them as seen here with Sharon and Alexis playing around.

Left & Right - The children bestowing their farewell necklaces to team members Sherri and Bob.

Left & Right - Sarah and Tim receiving their "Come back soon!" gifts.

The grandmother of the Quiroga family is very elderly. Her true age is unknown, but from what we can gather, she's around 90, and is barely mobile. Yet, she continues to be the rock and guiding force for her five grandchildren living with her. One of the projects that this team undertook was the building of a ramp to make it easier for her to get in and out of their home. During our debrief there was a valid question brought up, why should we invest so much in a project that is designed to last for many years, when it may only get a few years' use?

This is a perfect example of a ripple being made that will have long-lasting effects, some that we may not see for years. First, we are honoring this woman, who she is and what she is doing and has been doing for so many years, in giving her the very best that we possibly can. We want to do that for each and every person that we serve as a foundation. While our primary focus is on children, we value the adults who are working hard and making sacrifices to take good care of the children for whom they are responsible. By setting the example of honoring those who have made sacrifices and provided the very best that they are able, we are showing the children of the Quiroga family that they too can do the same one day for their own families and those in their sphere of influence. This is an incredible family that has already overcome so much, and with Zandra about to begin her law studies, who knows what kind of impact she could have in the future.

Left - The guys prepping the porch/study room for its makeover.
Right - The start of what is probably the best ramp in all of Bolivia!

Left - Mike and Burnell working hard on the transformation.
Right - The concrete floor in, walls and ceiling freshly painted- looking good!

Above - Our social worker, Sonia, was very impressed with how the kids had set up their new study space. Thanks to our team, they now have light inside their house too!

Left - Our abuelita, looking on as the construction team builds her ramp.
Right - Barry looking ever so happy to be working hard.

Above - The building crew including Rodrigo (l), our architect friend who designed the ramp.

Above - A fun candid shot of all the Quiroga kids while taking their sponsorship photos.

Every year we go out into some of the poorest communities in the department of Cochabamba, and we pour out the love of and for Christ through providing a day full of fun for the community, staple foods to needy families, and each child a toy, which is often their first. This year we were able to serve four communities- San Pedro, Pantipampa A and B and Curumayo. While things definitely didn't go as planned, they rarely do here, so instead of focusing on the frustrations, we choose to celebrate the wonderful times had by all during our visits with these communities.

Above - Seems like men are the same no matter where you go in the world...

Left & Right - We began our community outreach in San Pedro, where the shyness of the community's children was broken by some face painting and balloon animals which broke through the language barrier.

Left - The children gather around as the balloon animals take shape.
Right - A little one enjoys her balloon dog in the little shade that there was.

Left - The mothers, while mostly staying on the outskirts of the activities, enjoyed seeing their children have such a good time.
Right - The parachute games are always a huge hit, and this year was no different, especially because there was candy to be had for the winners!

Left - Here we're seeing the still-stuck dump truck. After many trying hours, and right before nightfall, they were able to get it unstuck granting us the consolation prize of the most spectacular display of stars ever.
Right - Tim handing out bags of food staples to the families of Pantipampa.

Left - It was an interesting task getting the kids to line up to receive their toys, but they were all very happy with their gifts.
Right - Jim and Lacey handing out api and buñuelos, a typical Bolivian breakfast, to the community.

Left - Sofia, who just turned 15 a few months ago, painting the face of a mom who's younger than she is.
Right - These girls were hamming it up for the camera the last time we visited, and it was good to see them still laughing and enjoying themselves this time around.

Above - One of the little ones from the daycare we supported back in October.

Each and every thought, prayer, penny, minute you give has a lasting impact on the children supported by Niños con Valor. So we want to thank you so much for helping create positive ripples, in many cases waves, in our kids' lives, and hope that you keep on doing so!

Peace and Love from the kids, staff and volunteers of Niños con Valor!