I got back to Bolivia early on Friday morning and it has been a busy time so far – including a brief visit to the boys’ welcome house to see our maintenance work there and meet with some of the oldest boys who we are supporting through their vocational training, and a lot of meetings!
On Saturday, I went to watch one of our inspirational young people fight in a boxing match. Wilber had a tough start in life, but came to Alalay as a youngster and spent his older teenage years with us. Two of his sisters were also supported by us. Now he lives independently from Alalay.
After the fight we spoke and I asked him about the future and his plans. He wants to go to University to study Nutrition but will also continue with his boxing training. He’s already travelled around South America for various fights, and hopes one day to box at the World Boxing Championships or Olympics. As we spoke, he said four words that impacted on me more than anything else: “I believe in myself”.
Yesterday evening I couldn’t help but watch a young boy of maybe 10 years of age, sat on the dirty street late at night, clutching a small plastic tub and desperately shaking it at strangers… A couple of people threw some coins for him, but most just walked past – for them he simply didn’t exist. This child clearly had no self-belief or worth and was ignored like a piece of rubbish on the ground. It struck me in sharp contrast to the inner strength and belief of Wilber, and absolutely validated for me my reasons for offering these children a second chance and the opportunity for a better future at Alalay.
I will be here in Bolivia for almost a month and it promises to be a very exciting time. I want to keep people even more up-to-date than usual with quick thoughts, photos and news from Alalay and I’ve therefore set up a Facebook page which people are very welcome to “like” and join for this month. Please find it by clicking HERE – do share it with your friends!
Finally, my big thanks to Air Europa, the LATA Foundation and Claire Betts for managing to sort out my flights so quickly!
Let’s give more children the opportunity to believe in themselves.
