Iona in Mission (IIM): Bolivia Day 7

Today our group was tested physically and emotionally. We traveled to the Zona Sur, a barrio in southern Cochabamba. We scaled the slopes of the Andean Mountains--a journey the school children of the barrio travel everyday--to visit these children and their families. After nearly an hour of hiking unpaved roads, cliffs, and gorges in the blazing desert sun, we arrived at our first family's casa. We were greeted with great hospitality from the mother of the household; this struggling family went out of their way to purchase refrescas for us. After assisting the children with their homework, we left for another family's home at the peak of the mountain. Upon our arrival we were greeted by four young children, between the ages of one and ten, who we learned looked after themselves. Heartbroken, we took the four children to a dilapidated playground on the slope of the mountain and stayed with them until their oldest brother arrived to watch them for the remainder of the evening. After having such an intense experience and reaction it was hard not to feel hopeless as we returned to the comfort of the Brother's home and the children remained in their dismal situation on the slope of the unforgiving mountain.

-Ryan Bacci '14 and Joanna Ziegelbauer '14