MOORHOUSE MOMENTS FOR OCTOBER
A sneak in before cricket, elections (USA), Christmas and summer.
A great moment this week.. Glasses for six needy children finally arrived. After months of waiting it’s wonderful to see them reading and writing with good posture.
A good moment too when gas and diesel become almost readily available after a long period of no fuel or gas. We still have intermittent days with no fuel but it is certainly better. Bolivia has struggled with getting supplies in from the east where there have been blockades resulting in much damage and deaths. One of the side effects is that foodstuffs have risen in price tremendously due to shortages. Chickens, for example, previously at ten bolivianos a kilo went straight to seventeen bolivianos. Tomatoes from 40 bolivianos a box to 110 and so the list could go on.
A not so good moment has happened when the prefecture (governor) was voted out. Since then the problems with the department of social security have escalated. Caused firstly by three directors being appointed in as many weeks, secondly by many staff changes in all departments and homes with children pay the price with stolen, (lost) cheques, paper work being slowed, lost and homes having to do many correspondences again. .
We have of course been caught up in it with our renewal for licence now 18 months in processing and still to come and one of our requests for a needy item has now been repeated six times in as many weeks. We should have received some financial assistance towards buying needed shoes (this in July) and still to come. The letter is fine but every time a head of department changes we have to write a new letter addressed to the new person. But feel for their staff too who have now not received wages in three months.
A great moment was picking up two needy girls. Although we don’t know much about them we guess they’re five. Milenka was taken by security late at night as she wandered the footpaths while her mother lay in the street under the influence of the inhalants she consumed regularly. Laura was left in the market with a plastic bag containing a few items and no other information. We did find out she has three brothers in two other homes but nothing more at this time.
Laura and Milenka
Then, two sisters were taken from abusive parents. We have no other information whatsoever but may be able to get something later. We guess five and three or thereabouts. They have a brother of just one who remains in hospital due to his weakened physical state. Jessica, at five, was expected to care for her siblings and was beaten if her care wasn’t up to scratch.
Jessica and Liliana
Here is moment for which many have waited. A webblog. URL bcmission.blogspot.com or go to the website and navigate from there bcmission.com
One benefit from the rise in prices lies with the fact that we now make all our own breads. The aromas alone make it a delight and the children have learnt a new skill.
Samuel ( our eldest boy ) has spent a year doing both school and a hairdressing apprenticeship . By January we have our first professional.
Lisa , our Canadian contact ,has been here the past two weeks. She is planning to take Jheyson for educational and medical reviews in Canada. Hopefully it works out and he’ll be able to stay for the long haul. Here she is with Liliana our newest girl. Jheyson was left in the hospital as a young baby and has been with us for five years now.
