We started our visit at Emma Canaday school. The students were so happy for our visit, and they asked many questions in English and Spanish. Also they asked Geoff how to say some words in French.

These three students from Emmanuel school send greetings to Friends in the U.S., Canada, and England.

A Home Visit to Cabra Cancha

Manuel Cuariti is currently the student who makes the
longest walk to go home on weekends from the
Internado. Here (right) is a photo of his home in Cabra Cancha (with mother and mule), and (below) the area surrounding his home, including their cornfield.

Before one week for Christmas it snowed and the classes was cancelled.

We know that Christmas is an important business activity for many capitalist countries, so this Christamas was no so good for many families because the aconomy of this country.

First of all I am so thankful to Our God and friends (BQEF&BQE-BO) who supported and worked and still doing a lot of for my internship.

It is wonderful to see this revitalized site up and running - I even have a blog! I hope we all will learn to use the website to its full advantage. My involvement with BQEF has progressed from initially supporting it only financially, followed by a transformative trip to Bolivia in September-October 2007, and now to participation as a Board member. Seeing with my own eyes the direct impact of BQEF on scholarship recipients and other programs beneficiaries in Bolivia convinced me of BQEF's worthiness. The work of BQEF is valuable and appreciated!
Geoff

I cannot believe that I am in America; it is like in a dream and in the films. I believe that God is amazing,
friendly - and U.S. Friends are, too. In the last AVP workshop, I chose Realized Ruben as my positive adjective
name. (“Realizar” in Spanish means to fulfill or carry out/bring into being.) I feel realized thanks to God and thanks to YOU.
I think Americans...

Click here to read the full article and several more.

THE MORE FUN AND SIGNIFICANT WEEK
The campus had signs made by students that asked if you have demonstrated the spirit of love to your school. To which, all came Monday dressed in pajamas. On Tuesday, they dressed in FORMAL WEAR. Wednesday was the opposite day,  then had to turn clothes around to the opposite. Thursday was the day of the twins, or to wear the same clothes as a best friend. Friday was BLUE AND WHITE day, everyone had to wear something of those colors.

I went with 11 students and  professor Susan K. to Selma,  Alabama, a journey and an unforgettable experience. Selma is a historic town: in 1965 a march for 5 days began from Selma to Alabama's capital, calling for respect of their rights and succeeded with the African-Americans liberation(?) Dr. Martin Luther King. We visited the... Museums and Libraries, known to Mrs. Afriye We-kandodis, who is a very special friend to me. I talk with her alot, always follow her advice. We all rested at her home, a very nice lady who gave us her entire home for 4 days...

BQEF Board member Barbara Flynn is leading a Quaker community service trip to Bolivia June 13-27, 2009.
While not a BQEF-sponsored activity, the trip sounds so good we wanted to share it with you. Information
below is taken from Barbara's Treasures of the Andes website:

Explore the Magic of the Bolivian Andes: home of a culture older than the Incas with legendary historical sites (and over 30,000 Quakers). Spectacular vistas and towering peaks, lush valleys and the sacred Lake Titiikaka.  Center of a democratic grassroots social revolution ending 5 centuries of "apartheid".

Dear Friends,
You have probably heard about the mutual expulsion of ambassadors, a massacre in a small town, martial law in Pando, and the US evacuating Peace Corps workers and other US citizens from Bolivia. So you know about the turmoil and trouble Bolivia is experiencing. But headlines obscure a great deal, so I want to say a bit about how all this affects BQEF.

Click here to continue reading (pdf format).