Daniela Mamani

What do women in the rural, subtropical town of Caranavi think about birth control?

That was the question that our latest graduate Daniela Mamani answered with her research project, a project that she defended last week. And the answers were interesting.

Women with more children knew a lot more about birth control, as did younger women. Women in rural areas got their information from neighbors, whereas women in town learned from health centers. Most women used natural methods, but a high percentage of women in their 30s use IUDs.

This information will help health workers frame their questions and answers about women's health, based on what women know and do. And that is good for women's health.


Photo: Daniela receives a pin that identifies her as a graduate from the College.

Daniela is working at the Carmen Pampa health center for a few months while her husband Rubén finishes his classes in the agronomy department. She and Rubén have two young daughters, and plan to move to Caranavi when Rubén finishes his studies.


Photo: Daniela stands with Vice Director Hugh Smeltekop, Director General Father Freddy, Head of Nursing Lidia Cuevas, her father, and her two project advisors Martha Aliaga and Amanda Loma.

Science Fair 2010

"A university without research is not a university."

Father Freddy spoke these words as he opened the College's bi-annual student Science Fair last Friday night.

The event opened with a talk by the new Director of the Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura in Bolivia, Dr. Juan Risi. He talked about the importance of innovation because today, creativity and new ways of thinking are the key to good development in agriculture. Dr. Risi should know: he was most recently the Director Agricultural Innovation at the Ministry of Agriculture in Peru.

Dr. Ramiro Medina, researcher at the State University's Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas, and Dr. Mario Baudoin, the Director of the Natural History Museum, were also recognized by the College for their contributions to science in Bolivia.


Photo: IICA Director Dr. Risi talks to student body, with guests seated nearby: IICA's value chain specialist Silvia Alemán, Director General Fr. Freddy del Villar, Dr. Ramiro Medina from the IIQ and Dr. Mario Baudoin, Director of Bolivia's Natural History Museum.

The next morning, four groups of students from each major presented the best research projects, in beginner and advanced categories, both descriptive and experimental projects.


Photo: Ecotourism student Geovana Loza describes how guarapo, from cane sugar, is made in rural communities.

The students presented their research in poster format, often using visual aids to showcase their discoveries.


Photo: Drs. Medina and Risa listen as education students report their research about Aymara language instruction in local schools.

The invited judges graded the projects, and students were awarded stacks of books as prizes, donated by the Natural History Muesum and IICA.

One of the best results of the competition is the experience of doing and presenting their results. The students bring these skills into their professional lives, developing a crtitcal mind and understanding how to explain themselves effectively. These small projects often turn into senior research projects, a requirement for graduation.

The day ended in a rainstorm, the first drops peppering the crowd gathered to see who won. And like that rain, the event touched everyone present, the culture of research soaked up at the College.

Give To The Max Day

The College where I work is an amazing place. The students' dreams for a better quality of life for poor families is palpable, real. That is why I am here: I can't imagine a more incredible way to dedicate a life, my life.

But we can't do it alone. Many people contribute to the dream for a better life for empoverished Bolivians, in many, many ways. And we are grateful, always.

One way to contribute is to donate on Give To The Max Day through GiveMN, this Tuesday, November 16th. We want to raise $15,000 through the Carmen Pampa Fund, the foundation that raises funds for the College in the U.S. Please take time to make a donation this Tuesday -- it helps make these idealistic dreams come true.




Click on the picture above, or go to http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Carmen-Pampa-Fund, to donate. ¡Gracias!

Tara, Kimberly, Jorge, Oh My!

Last week the niece of the College's foundress, Tara Nolan, was here for a visit as a representative of the Carmen Pampa Fund Board of Directors. She came with our friend Kimberly Lane, and Jorge Crespo, a member of our local board, joined us, too.


(Click photo for a larger view. Photo courtesy of Carlos Vaughn.)

Fr. Freddy dedicated the mass to Jorge's mother who passed away a few weeks ago. After mass, we all joined Fr. Freddy at the altar for a picture, the visitors at center. We were sad to see them go back home this week, but we feel renewed purpose after sharing our challenges and joys as we serve the rural poor through education.