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Country Overview 2 The NPH Home 3 Visitor’s Guide: Travel Tips 5 Suggested Packing List 7 NPH Bolivia Contact Information 9 Country Overview Google Sources: The CIA World Factbook, Fodor’s Travel, Lonely Planet.com, UNICEF
Bolivia ranks at or near Background Nature the bottom among Bolivia, named after independence Bolivia is a wild place. And nature Latin American countries fighter Simon Bolivar, broke away lovers, aesthetes and poets alike will in several areas of health from Spanish rule in 1825; much of find landscapes, views, and nature- and development, its subsequent history has consisted born experiences not seen in many including poverty, of a series of nearly 200 coups and other places on the planet. The sheer education, malnutrition, countercoups. Democratic civilian amount of geographic, topographic, and life expectancy. rule was established in 1982, but climatic and biological diversity will leaders have faced difficult problems astound you. Area: 682,625 square of deep-seated poverty, social miles – nearly three times unrest, and illegal drug production. Culture the size of Montana The cultural, historical and spiritual In December 2005, Bolivians elected depths and richness of Latin Population: 11,138,234 Movement Toward Socialism leader America’s most indigenous nation are (July 2017 estimate) Evo Morales president - by the astounding. Officially declared a Languages: Spanish, widest margin of any leader since the Plurinational State, Bolivia is a place Quechua, Aymara restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - to visit, learn from and experience a after he ran on a promise to change diverse mix of peoples. There are the country’s traditional political class at-risk cultures and languages that and empower the nation’s poor, could disappear within our lifetime, Bolivia’s income indigenous majority. In December and traditions and beliefs that reach inequality is one of the 2009, President Morales easily won back to the days of the Inca Kings highest in the world. reelection, and his party took control and Tiwanaku cosmologist priests. of the legislative branch of the government, which will allow him to At every corner a new snapshot, a Climate/Environment continue his process of change. In new understanding will disrupt every Cimate: varies with October 2011, the country held its stereotype, paradigm and tried-and- altitude; humid and first judicial elections to select judges truism you ever had. tropical to cold and for the four highest courts. semiarid Below: Madidi National Park, Arthur Chapman/WikiCommons; Palacio del Congreso Nacional in La Terrain: rugged Andes Paz, Rodrigo Achá/WikiCommons. Mountains, hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin Natural hazards: flooding in the northeast and volcanoes Issues: deforestation, soil erosion, industrial pollution of water supplies Visitor’s Guide: NPH Bolivia • nphusa.org 2 BOLIVIA
The NPH Home
Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) Bolivia opened in 2005. Named for the founder of NPH, Casa Padre William B. Wasson is located in the lowlands near Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The weather is hot, humid and rainy. All of the children help maintain the garden, which includes native trees, and ornamental and fruit-bearing plants, as well as sheep and cows.
Bolivian law prohibits us from using photos that show the faces of minors. Casa Padre Wasson
1. Entrance 1 2. School 3. Employees’ home 4. Volunteers’ home 3 5. Visitors’ home 4 6. Sports field 5 2 7. National Director’s 6 home 8. Clinic 9. Babies’ home 7 10. Volunteers’ home 8 11. Younger girls’ home 10 9 12. Girls’ home 11 13. Older girls’ home 14. Dining hall 14 15. Office 12 16 16. Younger boys’ home 13 17 17. Older boys’ home 15 18. Toddlers’ home 19. Boys’ home 18 19
200 ft. 100 m
Google Visitor’s Guide: NPH Bolivia • nphusa.org 3 Daily Life
Highlights Typical Day at Casa Padre Wasson • Bolivia is the second country in South America to have an NPH home. • Construction at the permanent site began in November 5:00 a.m. Wake up, clean the house, get 2006. The children and staff moved to the permanent dressed site on January 15, 2008. The kitchen was upgraded in 6:00 a.m. Breakfast 2017. 6:40 a.m. Secondary students depart • The second school building was inaugurated in 2016. In 7:00 a.m. Primary school students depart addition, three students received full academic scholar- 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Classes ships from the Universidad Cumbre, a private university 1:30 p.m. Lunch in comedor in Santa Cruz. 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Homework/study • Sustainable agricultural projects were launched in 2012 4:00 p.m-5:00 pm. Chores and food productivity was increased in 2017 with a total 5:00 p.m. Free time value of nearly $20,000. 6:30 p.m. Bath time 7:00 p.m. Dinner Responsibility 7:30pm Free time/homework/study time Responsibility is one of the most important values that NPH 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. Bed time tries to instill in their children. This is why each child is (depending on age) expected to not only be responsible for him or herself, but to contribute to the family. This includes doing traditional chores such as washing clothes, cleaning common areas and serving food. Everyone knows how much effort goes into Godchildren caring for their home and all the people who live there. If you sponsor a child at NPH Bolivia, arrangements will be made for him/ After graduating from high school the pequeños give back her to spend time with you during to the home in a year of service job. Then, if the student your visit. Please contact your regional decides to go to university with the help of NPH, they give office if you are interested in another year of service after graduating from university. becoming a Godparent.
Visitor’s Guide: NPH Bolivia • nphusa.org 4 Please review the NPHI Visitor Policy and Guidelines, sign Travel Tips the form and return it to your trip leader.
Entry Requirements Food at NPH is NEVER wasted. If you A U.S. passport valid for at least six are unsure you will like what is being months beyond the date of entry is served, ask for only “un poquito” (a Time Zone required to enter Bolivia. U.S. citizens little), and if you cannot finish, Central Standard Time must have a visa which costs $160. please offer it to one of the children. UTC/GMT -4 hours Visit the website of the Counsulado General de Bolivia near you for While on day trips, we will eat in application forms and information. restaurants where we are sure that food will be safely prepared. Vaccinations Before traveling to Bolivia, please Visitors are welcome to bring snacks to consult your physician and visit share with the group. Be sure to bring When traveling abroad, we www.cdc.gov/travel things that can withstand heat and recommend enrolling in preferably are individually wrapped. the U.S. Department of Transportation State’s Smart Traveler • For group trips organized by Bathroom Etiquette Enrollment Program NPH USA, transportation will be It is not possible to flush toilet paper (STEP). This free service provided by NPH. in most Latin American countries due helps the U.S. government • Do NOT hitchhike under any to the poor plumbing systems. Toilet know where citizens are, circumstances. paper and all sanitary products must so they can notify and be thrown in small waste baskets assist them in case of Accommodations next to the toilet. DO NOT flush emergency. To enroll, visit Lodging varies depending on trip toilet paper or sanitary products http://step.state.gov package. See specific trip information while visiting the NPH home. or consult the coordinator for details. Bring travel toilet paper, or a small Water packet of facial tissues with you at all DRINK BOTTLED WATER ONLY. times. Tissue is not always available This cannot be stressed enough. in public bathrooms. The goal of the trip is to have fun, experience the Food Electricity culture of Bolivia and While at NPH facilities, we will eat Most electrical currents are 220 meet the inspiring just like the children and staff at volt/50 hertz, but most sockets are children of NPH. Each specific mealtimes: the two-pin, round-prong type, so traveler has so much to adapters are needed. Make sure your share with this great • Breakfast: 6:00 a.m. appliance can take a 220 voltage family and so much to • Lunch: 1:30 p.m. before you plug it in. You should learn. We hope that each • Dinner: 7:00 p.m. expect power outages, which are visitor grows from their common in Latin America. interactions with the children we support, just as your visit helps them to do the same. Visitor’s Guide: Bolivia • nphusa.org 5 See page 9 for Travel Tips (continued) emergency contact information. Terms to Know E-mail & Phones Internet cafés are common PLEASE DO NOT give children and can be used for e-mail Good morning/afternoon/evening! - your address, e-mail or and phone calls. Many mid- ¡Buenos días/tardes/noches! phone number even if you range to high-end hotels and See you later! - ¡Hasta luego! are their sponsor. cafés now have wi-fi. How are you? - ¿Cómo está? Fine, thank you. - Bien, gracias. Clothing Please - Por favor Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are a must! The days Excuse me - Permiso can be hot, so light clothing – shorts, slacks, cotton T-shirts, Do you speak English? - ¿Habla inglés? sandals and/or running shoes – is appropriate. Keep in mind Yes - Sí to dress conservatively and in a tidy manner. Please do not No - No wear anything torn, too short or provocative. If you have any Thank you - Gracias piercings other than ears, please take them out during your You’re welcome - De nada visit. If you have any tattoos, please keep them covered. How old are you? - ¿Cuántos años tiene? These can be associated with gang activity and we do not How much is this? - ¿Cuánto es? want the children to have a negative impression of you. More - más A little bit - poquito Currency and Credit Cards House - casa The currency in Bolivia is the boliviano, which can be divided Home - hogar into 100 centavos. Bolivianos come in denominations of 5, 10, School - escuela 20, 50, 100 and 200. Coins come in 10, 20 and 50 centavos, Backpack - mochila and 1, 2 and 5 bolivianos. U.S. dollars can be exchanged in Office - oficina banks and casas de cambio (house of change). DO NOT Kitchen - cocina exchange on the street. Most larger city banks have ATMs, but Water - agua never withdraw cash while alone or at night because muggings Food - comida have become more common. Rice - arroz Beans - frijoles Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most cities and towns, Spoon - cuchara but only in established hotels, restaurants and retail chains. Fork - tenedor Please remember that credit card fraud is an issue all over the Cup - vaso world, so be cautious. Plate - plato
A 13% value-added tax (IVA) is added to hotel and restaurant bills and to items purchased in some stores.
Tipping NPH-Related Bolivia is not a tipping culture, but you should expect to pay for “help” everywhere. A tip of 5% to 10% is customary in restaurants if you are happy with the service. Airport porters Pequeño/a - literally “little,” but it is expect 5 bolivianos per cart. the term used for all NPH children Tío/a - literally aunt or uncle, but at Safety NPH it is a caretaker Crime is not a major problem in Bolivia compared to other Fr. Wasson - Padre Wasson (Founder countries in Latin America, but it is increasing in seriousness of NPH) and frequency. Outside the gates of NPH, we recommend that you never go alone anywhere. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry Padrino - Godfather (Sponsor) and watches. Be vigilant in regards to your surroundings. Madrina - Godmother (Sponsor) While at the home, we will be in a very safe and controlled Ahijdo/a - Godchild environment. However, it is important to remember to watch your personal property. Our children have all come from very Hermano/a Mayor - Older brother/sister different backgrounds and while NPH tries to help them - the term for a former pequeño/a or realize that they are safe now, many of them are still in graduate of NPH survival mode. They are not malicious, but for many, taking is the only way they have ever survived. Visitor’s Guide: NPH Bolivia • nphusa.org 6 Suggested Packing List
Clothes Personal Items We often leave pillows, • Lightweight travel clothes - there is no laundry • Pillow towels, sheets and facility, but you can hand wash! • Umbrella dinnerware for the home • Jeans/shorts/travel pants - your preference • Water bottle to keep after we leave. • Comfortable shoes for walking - tennis shoes • Camera/Charger or something with closed toes • Fly paper • Poncho/lightweight rain jacket • Sunglasses • “Bug off” clothing - REI or Ex Officio (if • F l a s h l i g h t ( p l u s e x t ra b a t t e r i e s ) sensitive to mosquitoes) • Travel alarm clock (if desired) • One “nicer,” but still casual outfit Snacks/Food Remember to dress conservatively. No visible While we encourage everyone to eat the food undergarments; nothing torn, ripped or too short. provided (it is tasty), if you are worried about not liking the food, or getting enough, consider packing Toiletries some pasta or another substitution for a meal, just • Hand sanitizer in case. In addition, you may also want to bring: • Shampoo/Conditioner • Soap (we recommend a pack of disposable • Granola bars/fruit bars/popcorn/snacks to share face cloths that have soap in the fibers. They • Gatorade packets (it is easy to get dehydrated) work as soap and a washcloth.) • Good ground coffee and sugar to share • Toothbrush/paste • Deodorant Other • Razor • Passport • Earplugs • Two copies of passport and credit card • Soap for washing clothes (if you want) information: leave one copy at home • Suntan lotion • Pictures of your family to show kids (great • Insect repellant conversation starters!) and/or postcards • Small packet of facial tissues • Travel toilet paper Do NOT Bring • Expensive or irreplacebale jewelry or other Medicines valuable items • Personal perscriptions (can be hard to get or • Flashy gifts expensive outside the U.S.) • Pepto Bismol/Immodium • Advil/Tylenol/Excedrin • Cipro/antibiotic for travelers’ diarrhea • Benadryl/Hydrocortisone • Bandages/Neosporin • Emergen-C/cough drops
Visitor’s Guide: Bolivia • nphusa.org 7 NPH Bolivia Visitors’ house
Gifts Visitors often ask what items they can bring for the children. Following are some suggestions.
Clothing and Shoes Hygiene • Underwear and socks (children’s • Feminine products PLEASE DO NOT sizes) • Shampoo • Bring candy or small • Sandals • Soap items to randomly pass • Toothpaste out. This can result in Education/Arts & Crafts • Toothbrushes (for kids AND hurt feelings among • Books in Spanish adults) children who do not • Coloring books receive anything. • Colored pencils and crayons Health Care • Bring expensive gifts, • Glue and tape • Vitamins such as music players, • Scissors • Bandages video games or jewelry. • Construction paper • Neosporin This may unintentionally • Play dough • Tylenol create feelings of • Yarn and pipe cleaners jealousy and cause • Beads These items are always needed in problems for that child. • Stickers the clinic. Please contact us if you • Give gifts directly to are interested in donating other the children. Give Toys & Games (for every age group) medical supplies. them to the home’s • Card games Visitor Coordinator or • Board games Other a staff person. • Jigsaw puzzles (100 pieces max.) • Barrettes and hair accessories • Give money to anyone • Marbles • Inexpensive plastic jewelry at the home. This can • Batteries of various sizes are cause confusion about Sports Equipment always needed how it will be used The kids spend most of their time and easy to transport and will not qualify for outside, so think of items that require a tax deduction under little or no maintenance and can be When in doubt . . . U.S. law. Please make shared by everyone! Bring things that NPH needs or all donations through wants, and that get depleted. NPH USA. • Balls If you are still unsure, ask! • Jump ropes • Air pumps with extra needles
REMEMBER, YOUR VISIT IS A GIFT! Neither NPH nor NPH USA want the children to associate your visit with material items. The best thing that you can bring is you! All your kind words, thoughts and affection are going to be the most lasting gift. Building relationships is the most valuable thing you can offer! Visitor’s Guide: NPH Bolivia • nphusa.org 118 •
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Contact Information •
We suggest you leave this information as well as your flight and hotel details (if applicable) with your emergency contact. National NPH USA Office 134 North LaSalle Street NPH USA, Federal Tax ID NPH Bolivia Emergency #65-1229309, is a registered Suite 500 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that Contact Information Chicago, IL 60602-1036 supports the homes, healthcare and Toll-free: 888.201.8880 educational programs of Fax: 312.658.0040 Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos. Carretera a Santa Rosa del Sara [email protected] Kilómetro 14 San Ignacio del Sara Regional Offices Santa Cruz Northwest Midwest Bolivia (AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY) (IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, OH, TN) 1800 112th Avenue NE 134 North LaSalle Street Suite 270-E Suite 500 Phone: 011.591.3341.3411 Bellevue, WA 98004-2961 Chicago, IL 60602-1036 e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 425.646.3935 Phone: 312.386.7499 [email protected] [email protected]
Southwest Mid-Atlantic/Northeast (AZ, CA, CO, NV, NW, OK, TX, UT) (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NW, NJ, NY, PA, 5110 North 40th Street RI, VT, VA, Washington, D.C., WV) Suite 100 265 Willard Street Phoenix, AZ 85018-2143 3rd Floor Quincy, MA 02169-1565 Phone: 480.967.9449 [email protected] Phone: 617.206.4940 [email protected]
Upper Midwest Southeast (IA, MN, ND, NE, SD, WI) (AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC) 1400 Van Buren Street NE 134 North LaSalle Street Fueled Collective, Suite 210 Suite 500 Minneapolis, MN 55413-4605 Chicago, IL 60602-1036
Phone: 651.482.1703 Phone: 888.201.8880 [email protected] [email protected]
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