Recycling

There is a foundation in La Paz dedicated to helping communities recycle, Fundación para el Reciclaje (FUNDARE). They provide information about recycling, help you organize your efforts, and actually pick up your recyclables and give you educational supplies in return.




Last Tuesday, Mario Aguayo from FUNDARE's Programa Hormiga came to give a talk and set up the program. It is part of a bigger effort to keep campus and the community clean, lead by Sister Jean Morrissey and a small group of dedicated students and community members. A group of students at Siena College and the Universidad Privada Boliviana are also contributing to the effort as part of their on-line Rural Sustainability in Latin America class.




Keeping communities clean requires a lot of education, reminding people of their history of love for Mother Earth and respect for themselves. I remember the Do Not Litter campaigns of the 1970s in the U.S., signs encouraging people to report cars who throw trash from their windows on the highway, and Iron Eyes Cody in the Keep America Beautiful public service announcement shedding a tear because of the pollution.

It is a process. But it is one that we are doing full-force right now at the College. Keep us in mind as we raise consciousness.

Great guest speaker

Bolivia is full of incredible professionals who want to share their experiences with young people excited about change. I have come to this conclusion recently as the College puts together a speaker series of influential people in Bolivia. Our first speaker is a testament to this.

Mr. Osvaldo Vega de la Torre is the retired Chancellor of the Universidad Tecnológica Boliviana, a former Director of Business Administration at the Catholic University of Bolivia and the state university Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, and author of some important books about the Bolivian university system.

He gave a talk last night to students working on their research proposals, undergraduate theses that are required for graduation in most majors. "The key is choosing a topic you love, because it will dominate your life for a long time," he said.


Photo: Mr. Vega de la Torre and Dr. Claudia Cerruto with her Research Proposal Writing class.

This morning, he gave a workshop about the statistical analysis program SPSS, with a real example of how students and professors perceive the role of university professors.

We are glad that professional Bolivians are contributing to the College, and look forward to more collaboration with Mr. Vega de la Torre, and other Bolivians with so much to share.

The Alumni Come Together

Yesterday, 30 alumni of the College had their second meeting of the Alumni Association that they formed in December of last year. They debated the role that the alumni can play at the College, and proposed bylaws.


Photo: President of the Association Javier Álvarez leads the second meeting of the College's Alumni Association.

"We can do a lot to improve the quality of education at the College," said the Association's president Javier Álvarez. "Offering internships, promoting job opportunities, giving talks at the College, helping current students in need, working to promote the good name of our university home."

We are glad to support this graduate initiative, and wish them much success at their next meeting in May.

Betty Pari

Tourism student Betty Pari defended her research project last week, an inventory and evaluation of the restaurants in our nearby town, Coroico.

"We have some great places in Coroico," she said, "but we have some work to do, too. Some training in customer service and organization is needed."

Betty's two sisters and brother all graduated from the College. "My parents' dream that their children all become professional became real today," said Betty's sister Wilma, between tears.



Photo (L to R): Vice Director Hugh Smeltekop, Director General Fr. Freddy del Villar, new grad Betty Pari, Ecotourism Director María Esther Estévez, Betty's sister Wilma, and ecotourism professor Grecia Blanco.

¡Felicidades, Betty!

Another visit from the U.S. Department of State

We were fortunate to receive another visit from the U.S. Department of State, this time from Mr. Kevin Whitaker, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs. He came to Bolivia to negotiate the terms of the agreement between the U.S. and Bolivian governments. Their Joint Committee released this statement today.

The visit started with the arrival of the visitors to the sounds of the Saya, the traditional Afro-Bolivian dance performed by our students. The visit included two Bolivian Vice Ministers.


Photo: Afro-Bolivian students at the College perform the Saya for the guests as they arrive.


Photo: Director of the College Fr. Freddy introduces two community members as the visitors listen. (L to R: Fr. Freddy del Villar, Bolivian Vice Minister of Coca and Rural Development Dionicio Nuñez, USAID/Bolivia Director Wayne Nilsestuen, Chargé d'Affaires John S. Creamer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere Kevin Whitaker, USAID Bolivia Officer Gretchen Ruethling, Economic Officer Geoffrey Schadrack and Narcotics and Law Enforcement Director Mark Wells)

The officials from the U.S. and Bolivian governments had a private meeting, then met with producers from all over the region.

After that, the College had a lunch where some students and graduates spoke about their experiences. "One area where you can't go wrong is investing in people," said Mr. Whitaker, responding to the students' comments.


Photo: Agronomy student Myrna Torrez talks to the visitors during lunch.

We are glad for the visit, and happy to represent the good works of the U.S. in Bolivia.