Build Change with Naomi: I've arrived!

As I walked off the plane yesterday in Cochabamba after 2 days of travel from the U.S., my first thought was "I've arrived", really in more ways than one. I looked around at the mountains and blue sky surrounding the town, and prepared for my meetings with the national team for Habitat Bolivia. It was a mini-celebration for me-- of the support I've already had (thank you to the more than 30 donors that have already contributed to the project!) and the work the Habitat team has already invested in obtaining land and beginning selecting families.

Yesterday was spent getting to know the Habitat national team. They fed me copious quantities of Bolivian food at breakfast and lunch, and talked with me about the work they were doing in Bolivia. I was in complete relaxation mode, until Tito Lima (the national director for Bolivia) asked me to make a presentation to the team about my efforts, the project, and the fundraising to date!

So, today in my halting Spanish I presented for about an hour with Q&A. There were lots of questions, which may have been a sign of interest, or just a sign that my pidgeon spanish didn't suffice as an explanation! In any event, it was very exciting for me to get to tell them about donors and supporters from as far away as India, that had already given money for the project.

Today I also went with the team to visit a home that's almost completed. It was eye-opening for me to learn more about the difference in construction down here, and to see how basic the homes are-- aboout 700 square meters with 3 bedrooms for a family of 5-6.

Tomorrow morning I fly to the South, to Tarija where I will meet the team I'll be working with on my builds in Villamontes. On Monday we'll take a 10 hour bus ride to our build site: Villamontes. We plan to start construction on Tuesday if all goes as planned!

Hope you enjoy the first set of pictures. Look forward to hearing from you.

Saludos desde Cochabamba,

naomi