Evo Visits Our Chapare Neighborhood

Sindicatos – Imagine a community where there are no police, lawyers or judges. All you have is a group of property owners who elect officials, meet once a month and decide all legal issues including who can own property in their district. That’s a Sindicato. They’re a powerful influence, especially in the jungles of Chapare. Last week as we attempted to get an audience with the sindicato in Villa 14 de Septiembre we had just given up when the sindicato from Villa 21 came racing up behind us in a beat up old mini van. As they all jumped out and approached us many ideas ran through my mind but we were surprised to hear that they wanted to invite us to the grand opening of their new school. Constancio, the president, explained to the rest of his sindicato how the IOU ministry has had a heart for their district for the past three years, helping the Cuban clinic by installing a sink with running water, holding clothing drives for the children and allowing two grade school classes to use the orphanage as we waited for our orphanage license. The sindicato was offering us a unique opportunity to be present as Bolivia’s President Evo dedicated the new school financed by Venezuela and Cuba.






We arrived mid day on Friday so we could spend some time cleaning the orphanage; the thirty children really took their toll on the home. Our builder, Remerto, and his wife Vic and their daughter; played host to our family and our new partner Ted. Bonnie purchased a 10 pound Surubi river fish and she and Vic prepared a feast for us. We slept well that night in the orphanage and woke early, about 4am, to a chorus of roosters. The village has known for the past few months that President Evo would be visiting; however, we were amazed at the scurry of activity that morning and even minutes before his arrival. The school construction team was still painting the roof and front wall as Evo’s helicopter circled the village.






He landed directly in front of the orphanage on the football field. Remberto and Vic had met the president before when he visited the village one Christmas morning and asked Remberto about the orphanage construction project; he was very grateful on that day and must have been extremely pleased seeing it finished now. We were amazed at the casual atmosphere as he walked among the people he still considers his neighbors. Evo walked thru the crowd with very little security and we were allowed to be in the front row as the program began. After a traditional dedication of the school to Pachimama (mother earth) Evo was invited to a traditional folk dance with some of the teachers. He worked up quite a sweat as they passed him around like a party favor. After a few comments about the school and a lengthy commentary about party responsibilities the speeches were over. However, the festivities were just beginning. In a surprising turn of events; Evo disappeared into a room with some of his staff and emerged in Bolivian National Soccer uniforms. They then began a one hour futbal game with the local team. Although they lost 5-4 I was amazed at the casual atmosphere. We truly felt like we could have stayed and spoke with the president if we wanted, yet we chose to leave and allow him to spend the remaining time with some of his strongest supporters and closest friends.






As Bonnie was leaving the stadium she walked past Evo’s helicopter on the way to the orphanage and one of the pilots asked her if she’d like to sit in Evo’s seat. Bonnie kind of chuckled as he helped her up; when he looked at her curiously she said would you do me a favor? Tell Evo that a gringo sat in his seat this morning. He laughed hard and said “Yeah, I’ll be sure to tell him” and the other pilot said a bit more serious “No, we will not be telling him you sat in his seat.”


The relationship between IOU and the sindicatos are very important but also a delicate balance because we want to be blessing to them but not only be seen as a source of resources. The villa 21 group had asked us to help pay for the Evo party; however, that’s not our reason for being here. We did; however, have some extra office equipment we donated to the school. We have also committed to a life long partnership with the sindicato, school and neighborhood church as they help us raise the orphans God sends to the home we’ve built in their village. Please join us in praying for Villa 21 (San Francisco) and these vital relationships.