Traineeship in Bolivia

During the autumn of 2009 the SOFIA Association sent 5 trainees to Bolivia.

In September 2009 the trainees went to Bolivia to work with a network of Indian schools.

The traineeship in Bolivia is collaboration with the Kawsay Organization, which is involved in education for indigenous people. The work centers on strengthening the village schools who wish to develop their own teaching and pass on the knowledge contained within the Indian tradition. The aim of the experience is to strengthen the network and inspire teachers, youth and children to develop creative, productive and inter-cultural activities in rural areas, rather than move to town. Practical and artistic skills are desirable.

The traineeship takes place in three different regions where the population speaks both Spanish and their own language - Quechua, Aymara and Guarani. Some of the schools in the network are in Peru and Ecuador and a part of the traineeship might take place there.

Introduction for the Trainees in Cochabamba

The Kawsay headquarters are located in Cochabamba as well as the center for the network of communitarian schools, Wayrawasi. Here SOFIA trainees receive an introduction on the education situation in Bolivia and in the Indian world views underpinning the work of the organizations. Kawsay, Wayrawasi and trainees together formulate the program for each year. This should also be coordinated with the villages and schools in the network. This can mean a large number of meetings, but also gives the freedom to formulate their work in interaction with others.

Charazani in Northwestern Bolivia

Charazani is an area in northwestern Bolivia, which is comprised of many small mountain villages. Work placements are possible in one of them, Moyapampa, which has an altitude ranging from 3800 to 5000 meters elevation. Here the people have retained much of their old skills and are knowledgeable in medicine and weaving. They have a special medical tradition, called kallawallas. Many villages are relatively closed to the outside world, and its inhabitants are proud and vigilant against all forms of exploitation, but in Moyapampa there is a group that is open to change and that runs its own school. Life there is hard and it is not an easy place to stay; altitude sickness is a problem for many. The advantage is that Kawsay has worked extensively in this region and there are some enthusiasts who are keen to collaborate with SOFIA trainees. The people speak Quechua and Spanish.

Isoso in Southeast Bolivia

Isoso is an area in south-eastern Bolivia, which includes a dozen villages. SOFIA started a collaboration with the village of Isiporenda, starting first in natural medicine and later expanding into running a school. The work aims at promoting activities in which the older teach their skills to children and adolescents. The whole village is behind the project and during the internship period in 2008, built a house for medical manufacturing. Interviews with the older people and the restoration of old traditions and craft making is also a part of the work. The climate is hot and dry. The people speak Guarani and Spanish.

Part of the Traineeship in Peru and Ecuador

Outside of Cusco in Peru there are two schools that participate in the network. They have many skills that are valuable to the network and therefore part of the traineeship is located there.

In Quito, Ecuador, there are three schools, one of which is characterized by a strong Indian influence while the other two comprise a mix of Indian education and Waldorf pedagogy. Part of the traineeship is located here for some of the group.

The purpose of having a portion of the traineeship take place outside Bolivia is to help distribute information within the network. The network would like to provide a common niche for Indian schools between the three countries. The conditions are different among the individual countries, but the basic culture is the same. In both Peru and Ecuador, the people speak Quechua and Spanish.