Bolivia Builds on a Tradition of Unity
By Milana McLead

'Today for you, tomorrow for me." So goes a saying of the Quechua -- Bolivia's indigenous people -- about unity and the community.

It is a tradition that HFH Bolivia has been building on since 1985.

"The idea is that once one group has built, it is that group's responsibility to go out and organize other groups," says a former educator with Santa Cruz HFH. "They are almost godparents to the new group."

As evidenced by more than 2,000 houses built to date in Bolivia, the concept works in conjunction with a well-established and extensive educational program. Designed to equip new homeowners both with Habitat program knowledge and understanding, it also brings empowerment to local homeowners.

"The educational program is designed to 'give conscience' to the people," says Victor Apasa, an educator now working in Oruro. "It's more than educating them, it's giving them a new way of thinking about themselves in the community. It's working here. Families are given a sense of responsibility."

Some of the topics include Habitat's principles and vision, in addition to family budget, adequate treatment of septic systems, gender issues and maintenance. Such partnership yields ownership, increases involvement and creates new possibilities.

Rural communities typically face problems related to a lack of infrastructure. Bringing electricity, water and sanitation to remote areas is very expensive. A large group of people must live in an area before such amenities can be delivered. Municipalities cannot accomplish it alone -- but through partnering with Habitat, they can overcome the obstacles.

For example, before Habitat came to the mountain community of Pacata Alta in Cochabamba, there was no sewage system. The community mobilized, motivated its municipality, and today, rather than heading to the hills where raw sewage spreads disease, residents utilize a sewage line that ties into the city's facilities.

"The difference for Habitat homeowners is that you're more than the person who lives in the house," explains Nicole Mueller, former Habitat for Humanity international partner to Bolivia. "You work with your neighbors, who are also working for the same thing. Habitat is a stepping stone, a continuation of the idea that the people of the community should be the owner of that community."

And in a land where women's voices are not often heard, Habitat requires the involvement of women and honors their role in maintaining and paying for the house, as well as serving on committees and affiliate or national boards of directors. As a result, they are equal partners in homeownership.

"Before Habitat, I couldn't read or write or have a voice in my community," says one Bolivian homeowner. "Now, I have a voice; now, I feel human."





Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, June/July 2000.
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©2000 Habitat for Humanity International