Vickey's blog

Raquel Quisbert Cama is in her third year of studying Medical Technology at the University of San Andrea, with a concentration in Physiotherapy and Kinesiology.

Nelly Poma Challco recently completed her fifth semester studying Linguistics and Languages at UPEA, the public university in El Alto.

Cinthia Miriam Calle Chiquipa graduated with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics from the Public University of El Alto last December.

Eddy Nelson Nogales Paco studies Aeronautics at the Public University of San Andrés. "My family supports me through ups and downs," Eddy writes. "Whenever I have to stay up late studying, my mom and sisters encourage me. I help with cleaning, washing, and cooking at home." Eddy's best friend through the cold Andean nights is his puppy, Spot.

"I studied hard the week before midterm exams but when I saw my grades I wanted to cry." Mom consoled me, saying: 'Don't give up now. Trust in God and you will see that everything will be fine.'

I gave my best and I will do better next time, for all the people who believe in me and for myself."

His virtual classes require purchasing data cards in addition to paying for research and other costs. Saturday and late evening classes make his schedule exacting.

These scholarships have helped Bolivian

Friends make a dramatic difference.

Our Spring 2021 Newsletter is attached in pdf format. We hope you'll read these stories about our inspiring students and their struggles and successes amidst the even greater challenges of the continuing pandemic. (People are *just* starting to be able to access vaccinations in Bolivia, and the going is slow.)

Be well, f/Friends.

Our high school students in Sorata are delighted to have ready access to the internet at the student residence, for the first time ever.

In recent years their teachers have increasingly assigned reports that require them to do research on the internet.

Because the minimum monthly charge for establishing an internet connection was $300, we were unable to offer internet on the student residence computers. So students had to pay for computer use at one of the local internet cafes, which are often crowded, noisy, and an expense that most could ill afford.

This July, a generous donation from visitors on the Quaker Service and Study Tour equipped 2 of the new student residence computers with affordable internet access via a cell phone simcard. 

Below is the expanded edition of our print story on Anahi Ticona Serrano. We hope you enjoy learning more about this dedicated young Friend.