El Chapare

Here's a few photos from Albergue's mini-vacation a couple weeks ago to El Chapare. Jungle-hiking, monkeys, swimming, waterfalls, picture-taking, and lots of yummy Bolivian food and beautiful mountain views along the way.

Apologies that I haven't posted lately. Things have gotten very busy--and also a lot more challenging. I am still struggling to figure out what my role is at Albergue, I am frustrated that relationships haven't developed more at this point, and I am unsure how to teach photography to unwilling students.

Here's a snippet from my most recent assessment letter regarding the photography project:

My thoughts in regards to this feel kind of ethnocentric and I am still sorting through them, so bear with me. In various conversations lately, I've been learning that in the Bolivian school system—and to some extent in Bolivian culture in general—creativity and critical thinking are painfully absent. Everything is rote memorization and regurgitation of information. It is no wonder, therefore, that I get blank stares when I am explaining an open-ended portraiture assignment. It grieves me that creativity could be so absent from an entire culture, while it also makes me want to teach it well all the more. The question still remains as to how I should go about doing that, because to force creativity is essentially oxymoronic.

Please pray for inspiration in teaching; for God to work through and strengthen relationships with the girls; and for grace and rest amidst the busyness and ambiguity of this season. 

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." -2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Cuesta Punta

Here are a few photos from our trip this past weekend to Cuesta Punta, where there is nothing but mountains, farmland, and tiny adobe homes. It was wonderful to get to see a new place, and to hike some more of the Andes.

Off with the girls from Albergue tomorrow to adventure around El Chapare! Pray for safety, for fun,  for bonding, and for growth & learning in the photography-related activities on the trip.

Blessings.

escalando sacando fotos

This past week at Albergue has been so full of physical activity that I haven't gone a day without feeling sore or bruised. Honestly though, it's been a blast. Soccer, swimming, and yesterday a four hour excursion in which we hiked up the cacti-covered, rocky backside of the mountain on top of which sits the iconic Cristo statue [pictures above]--what gifts these are.

Also this week, I officially started teaching my photography classes! In one sense, it's been a success because all the girls are eager to take photos. It was so great to see them so excited about using the cameras on our hike yesterday. But in another, I am frustrated/anxious because they are neither super engaged in the classroom setting nor very eager to do the "homework" assignments which I give them... How can photography be a means of empowerment and healing, as I am hoping and planning for it to be, if I cannot get the girls to delve into the material? However I am trusting that, with patience and prayer, it will all come together in its own way. Though most likely not in the way that I expected.

This next week is full of travel (!) which I am very much looking forward to. More updates on that when I am back.