La Paz Final Update

August 12, 2008

Saludos de La Paz! Muchc to their chagrin, the Volunteers will be leaving the country in only a few days. Over the last few weeks, Volunteers have been completing their community-based initiatives and giving their last charlas. Some community-based initiatives have included starting a community newspaper, fundraising to purchase books for a library, building walls for a classroom, planting a community garden and several more. The La Paz project was also awarded a Guy Bevil Leadership Grant from the Foundaiton for Amigos de las Americas for a community kitchen project in Chinacla. Work has begun this week, and we hope to see it completed by the time Project Supervisors depart the project area.

On August 10, Volunteers will depart their communities for a final despedida (farewell party) in downtown La Paz. That afternoon, we will travel as a project to the beautiful Lago de Yajoa for Debriefing. Debriefing will give Volunteers a chance to relax, swim, hike, and shop. It will also be an opportunity to reflect on their experience before going home. It has been a great experience for AMIGOS returning to La Paz after five years. We hope to continue this year’s success in coming years.