I was really excited to see the school near Santa Cruz. The beauty of it: 100s of volunteers traveling here, to Bolivia, to help out of the goodness of their hearts, the Bolivian people. To make the world a better place. Unfortunately, what I found, seems to be a little more self serving, and less altruistic than I had hoped...

To save the school a shitty google ranking, I wont name names, but if you want, you can look at my last entry.

After hearing such great things in samipatia about how the school in Santa Cruz was a pleasure to work for, and a really good cause, i was excited to get my start exploring volunteerism and phlantropy right here in Bolivia.

What did i find? A Christian Mission.

While its not what i expected, that in it of itself, is not a bad thing; but what I found seems to be. Perhaps you can help me judge.

the leader of the global organization says that a vision came to him and he wanted to "Going from house to house. Helping the lonely and the hungry. Caring for people everywhere they went..."

But thats not what the minions at the bottom level seem to be doing. Actually, it was more like a trip back to the 1600s missions of pre colonial times here... their Deciple Training System prepares foreigners and locals to go out and spread the word of god to the people. Great, also no problem.

I guess what really rubs me the wrong way is they are not actually doing anything to help people, but propose that they are. It is usually the feeling of any very religious Christian that just mearly providing the teachings of god is the greatest gift one can give. How about some food on plates? Perhaps... teaching an actual skill?

Its frustrating to see rich foreign kids swoop into Bolivia for 6 months or a year, teach of god, teach that to believe in god is the answer to all problems, and then fly off, back to their cushy homes in their "real worlds". These kids are all so starry eyed in love with Jesus (also not a bad thing) that they dont actually see the real world in front of them, which is amazing, becuase its slapping them in the face.

This organization, which provides "volunteer opportunities" at 600$US a month, for hundreds of young people each year, does not help the people. Its a tool to induct more into their ideology (agian no problem, save the misrepresentation).

I was shocked to learn that this grand school, with an apparent capacity to teach 50 or more people at a time, was dedicated to bible studies. No useful skills (save, mental pain reduction techniques) are taught here. No math, no language, no literature, no politics, no business.

I think you can see I am frustrated.

With a small change in the attitude of these missionaries, REAL good could be provided to these people. Think of the power of providing valuable education to the younger people (right now limited to 18 and up) something they can use to elevate their lives from poverty.

Currently, paying Bolivian recruits must live on site while they receive their training in the ways of the lord. Cultish? Who said that...

I don't believe what the people are doing here is wrong. I just think they are not living up to their commitment to care for people. Help is only a technical class away.

If this is what I will find at other religious volunteer organizations, I am going to be really displeased. Someone please show me I am wrong.

If someone from the organization is reading this. Help them, help the people in this life, don´t just save their souls.

I look forward to the day when an orginization as well set up as this decides to really make a difference. In measureable, real ways.

sp

For recent information on my work with
Strategic Social Investment, and
Strategic Philanthropy,
visit the Ambae Project