Our friends at Con Bolivia

Our friend Suzanne Dulle was inspired by Bread for the Journey, a group she volunteered with in Santa Fe. It was started by Wayne Muller, a therapist, minister, community advocate, and bestselling author of several books. The idea behind their work in the community, she recalls, was based on relationships of trust and respect, reflected in careful listening so that people in need can identify their own needs, and get help.

In 2003, she visited Bolivia with her Bolivian-born husband, Juan. Seeing great need, and keeping her experience with Bread for the Journey close to her heart, she and Juan decided to start con Bolivia, a “network of goodness,” linking generous people in the United States to educational programs and grass-roots projects in Bolivia.

Since then, con Bolivia has helped many different organizations, like computer training for children after school through the group ProMujer, a program run by a Catholic priest working with the street children in La Paz, and a nursery school for impoverished children in Mallasilla, a poor barrio of La Paz.

Then they visited a poor community on the Isla del Sol (the Island of the Sun, the mythological Aymara birthplace of all of life). “We visited a high school – a mud-brick building, really – and we offered scholarships to the two best students. After class, a young man approached us and asked if we could support him even if he didn’t have the best grades. We were thrilled that there was this kind of interest.”

They ended up giving full scholarships to many young people who wanted to improve their community through improved agriculture, health care and tourism – which brought them to the College! Currently five young women are in different phases of the nursing program, all with the intention of serving the rural poor with their skills (like Gabriela). Con Bolivia also supports students with their graduation projects, like Victor Hugo and María Esther, and Rolando. And con Bolivia supports other initiatives at the College, like lab equipment and uniforms for nursing students.

Suzanne stayed with us for a week in April, and we enjoyed her immensely. Her insights into how we can improve things, and her willingness to help wherever needed, were greatly appreciated. She even brought a rainbow with her! Thank you, Suzanne, for your generosity and your spirit. We miss you already.



Photo: Suzanne Dulle with Hugh and students Silvia, Madgelena and Griselda.

P.S. See this posting that Suzanne wrote about one of the students con Bolivia supports.