A final thank you/Merci/Gracias ! :)

Now that I am back home, safe and sound, and settling in I wanted to write one final post. This one is for all of you, the readers and family and friends. Its for everyone who has helped me, encouraged me and then said "I told you so", donated, taught me something, given me a smile when I was having a tough day, read my blog.. whatever you did. I want to thank you all. It is because of all of you that I was able to have this incredible experience, and learn everything that I did. I am so happy that I went on this Canada World Youth program, and I have no regrets about what I did with my GAP year.
So I can only hope that you understand how much I appreciate everything, and all of you. Your support was great, and it made me happy to see that people (though I didn't know who) were reading my blog. I hope that I did a good enough job of sharing my adventure, and what I've learned. If anyone has any questions or comments (about the program, Bolivia, anything!), please feel free to ask me. Though I don't think the comments on my blog are working.. so contact me any other way!
Thanks for reading, you all rock!

THANK YOU! MERCI! GRACIAS! :)

La Marcha "Ponete en Sus Zapatos"

On March 5th (the day before we left) we finally had the march "Ponete en Sus Zapatos", which we have been planning and organizing for the past two months. It was the equivalent of Put yourself in Her Shoes marches in Canada. The march was from the Palacia de Justicia to the Plaza in Santa Cruz. Men were asked to wear heels, and everyone brought posters and banners. It was in support of equality and the fight against violence against women.
My group, along with a group of youth from Casa de la Mujer, planned, publicized, and organized the march. This type of thing isn't done in Bolivia, so it was the first one of its kind and somewhat controversial. We weren't sure how big the turnout would be, since it is controversial, but we were surprised with a large turnout of at least 200 people. The march was covered on the news and newspapers all over the country, and a few other South American countries as well.
All in all, it was a great success, and a good way to end our work in Bolivia!

Here are two links to newspaper articles on the march:
http://www.la-razon.com/sociedad/Hombres-tacones-marchan-violencia-mujeres_0_1791420852.html

http://www.eldeber.com.bo/marcha-de-tacones-contra-la-violencia/130305221716

The most controversial signs....

Goodbye to Bolivia

Wednesday we left Santa Cruz, Bolivia and headed to Canada. It was our final day with all of the Bolivians, and the host families, and it was VERY sad. 

After six months of being together in a group with these people I have become very close with all of them. With each one I have formed a special relationship, and I will miss them all so much. 

I came to Bolivia to volunteer. I didn't know anything about the country, the people, the culture, or the language. But I am leaving after having learned so much, and fallen in love. I fell in love with Bolivia; the dancing, the Spanish, the people, Santa Cruz, the crazy and busy and passionate lifestyle. All of it. 

I cannot thank the people I have met enough. They were incredible, and generous, and they are the ones who taught me everything I have learned. The bolivians in my group; Danitza, Mateo, Luis, Alvaro, Melany, Nicole, and Franco, my work placement, my extremely generous host family, and the many, many others cannot be thanked enough. It made saying goodbye to them even harder, and it was a day full of a lot of tears.

The night before leaving we had a "despedida" which is like a goodbye party. It was with all of the families, and some of the friends of the group. It was really nice to have a final time all together to look at pictures, talk about great memories, and begin saying goodbyes. We also did "Paper Plate Awards", which are awards for something special or original of each person. I made them for the group, and they seemed to be a big hit! :)

All in all, saying goodbye was hard, but I will forever remember the amazing memories and lessons I have learned here! It is not goodbye, it is only a "until next time, Bolivia"! 

The end of my work at Plataforma Solidaria! :(

Thursday February 28th was the last day at my work placement; Plataforma Solidaria. Mateo, Alvaro, and I said our goodbyes to all the incredible staff, and wonderful kids with a little goodbye celebration in one of the back rooms and a letter of gratitude to the center. For Mateo and Alvaro it wasn't a permanent goodbye, since they both live in Santa Cruz and are planning on returning to volunteer. But for me, it was a goodbye until some unknown time farther in the future.
It was hard to say goodbye to the place I have worked at daily for the past three months. I have fallen in love with Plataforma, the amazing people there and the wonderful work they do. Working at Plataforma Solidaria was one of the most challenging yet rewarding, educational, eye-opening things I have done in my life. I probably learned more in my three months working here in Bolivia, than any school could teach me in years. Not only have I learned SO MUCH, but I am also leaving with a new sense of appreciation for what I have. My friends, my family, my socio-economic state, my country, my opportunities.. all of it was under-appreciated by me before coming to Bolivia. But after seeing and working with people who literally have nothing I have realized how incredibly fortunate I am. This lesson was not only learned here though, it began in my work at the Meridien 74 in Saint-Jerome, and just continued to grow once I came to Bolivia.
I cannot express my gratitude enough to Plataforma Solidaria for everything they have done for me by giving me the opportunity to work there for the past three months. They have taught me, they have confirmed that I want to work in International Development, they have given me opportunities to work and learn from some of the most incredible people, and they have welcomed me into their family. Looking back on my very first day of work, when my boss Julian welcomed us and told us that we were now a part of the Plataforma Family, I never actually thought I would feel like part of a family. But after saying my goodbyes I realize that Julian is right, Plataforma Solidaria has a family and they brought me into it with open arms. I cannot thank them enough, for what they have done for me or what they do every single day for the kids and people in that community.
If you ever make it to Bolivia, all I can do is recommend you make a stop at Plataforma Solidaria in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It is entirely worth it, and amazing the see the life-changing work they do daily!
Gracias Plataforma Solidaria! :)