Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Compendio de
Historias de xito de
FH Bolivia
Autor:
Lic. Marcelo Alvarez Ascarrunz
Especialista Nacional de Comunicacin
email: marcelo.alvarez.a@gmail.com
Success Story
Young Bolivian
Wants to Get Back to her
Community
Food for the Hungry/Bolivia has worked with the Torribio family in the Witipia
community in Challa, rural Cochabamba, for several years. Cirila Coria Torribio, 21, is
the eldest child in the family. She has one sister and three brothers. Growing up in an
impoverished community, Cirila had always dreamed of finishing school and getting a
career. But when she was 13 years old, her mother got sick and her dream was put on
hold. Cirila!s father told her to drop out of school and carry out her mother!s duties.
There was no one else to wash the clothes, cook for the family, collect water, and help
take care of the sheep.
During the months that Cirila was out of school, all she could think about was how and
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Tema: Equidad de gnero y patrocinio de nias - Parte 2 Autor: Marcelo Alvarez Ascarrunz
when she!d be able to study again. She wondered if she was going to look after the
sheep and do the household chores indefinitely.
One day, she gathered enough courage to speak to her father. Father, I really want to
study, she began. Not continuing my studies is like preparing all the potatoes and
vegetables to cook and then just leaving them raw. I want to finish school.
The timing was perfect. The staff of Food for the Hungry had been talking with her
parents and showing from God!s Word biblical truths. Over time, Cirila!s father began to
understand the importance of education not just for his sons, but also for his
daughters. Cirila!s parents realized that God could use education to enable their children
to reach their full potential, serve their community and help break the cycle of poverty.
That evening Cirila heard from her father the good news: she could go back to school.
Not only that, her father would put her in a boarding house in the community of Lacuyo.
Most communities in Challa have school up to third and fourth grade only. Lacuyo,
however, has up to second year of high school. The boarding house allows students
from other communities to attend school with more regularity by staying in Lacuyo
throughout the school week. Otherwise, they walk for up to two hours to reach the
school.
Cirila interned in the boarding house throughout her first year of high school. In her
sophomore year, however, Cirila walked two hours daily to and from school.
Cirila desires to contribute to the progress of her community. She says, I see a lot of
problems and needs, that!s why I enrolled in social work. I want to finish university
quickly so that I can take this knowledge back to my community.
Cirila will have many opportunities to shine God!s light in her own community.
Tema: Desmitificacin de creencias culturales Autor: Marcelo Alvarez Ascarrunz
HISTORIA DE XITO
Somos Eberth y Mijael, de Ckara Ckara.
La familia de Eduardo Mamani y Ana Cruz fue bendecida con el
nacimiento de su tercero y cuarto hijo, una pareja de gemelos. A pesar
de que celebraron su nacimiento, creencias culturales (respecto del
nacimiento de gemelos) propias de la zona crearon algunos prejuicios
que terminaron excluyendo a esta familia de las actividades de la
comunidad. Empero, el amor por estas criaturas fue mucho ms
fuerte, tanto Eduardo como Ana, con el apoyo del personal tcnico de
FHI, combatieron los prejuicios y fomentaron el principio universal del
respeto a la vida como el principal valor.
Era muy difcil, no tenia leche, no poda cuidarlos a las dos, lloraban,
me cargaba a las dos wawas para hacerles dormir. . .
. . .gracias a ellos y a sus consejos (FHI) mi esposo me ayuda, cuida
a los nios y ya no tenemos vergenza, mas bien estamos felices de
que sean gemelitos nuestros hijitos Ana Cruz.
Success Story
Tomoyo: Strengthening the
production association and individual
enterprises.
After more than 10 years of intense work on one of the biggest irrigation systems in the
department of Potosi, the communities of Tomoyo are completing a new phase in their
development. With the support of USDA, they are strengthening their production association
and creating business units for marketing amaranth, seed potatoes and milk. Together, these
productive units are creating an economic movement in agriculture that exceeds US$110,000.
Tomoyo is a beautiful valley located in the northern part of Potosi in Bolivia. It is inhabited by
Jalqa indigenous communities that have survived very harsh living conditions, including a lack
of access to basic services, health opportunities and production activities. In 1996, the
organized community, together with their municipal
and regional authorities and with support from the
People of the United States, began transformation
process with a great dream. The dream of an
irrigation system for the crops in the area. After 9
years of work, more than 95% of the families in the
area have access to safe water, an irrigation system
covering 500 hectares of land, and a brand new
home electricity system that together create better
opportunities for community development in terms
of production and health.
For over 6 years, the community directly contributed
to the construction of the irrigation system with their
own hands. It was not until 2003 that the system
was finished and complementary activities were
started to ensure the optimum administration and
operation of the system. Community associations
were strengthened and relationships were iniciated
with regional and international markets to meet
market demands and thus increase household
incomes. Undoubtedly, the community leadership
played a key role in the process. One of the most
important organizations is the Tomoyo Irrigation and
Services Association (TISA), whose fundamental
task is the administration, operation and maintenance of the system that is allowing the
extension of production activities, including raising livestock.
Today, after 2 years of operation, TISA is a legitimate and legally recognized organization in the
Municipality of Ravelo, which brings together more than 408 partners -strategic business units-
through groups of partners dedicated to the production of seed potatoes, amaranth and milk
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Tema: Emprendimiento rural parte 2 Autor: Marcelo Alvarez Ascarrunz
products. Since 2008, thanks to the support of USDA and through their project supporting rural
enterprises, better opportunities for access to microfinance and technical training has been
provided to this group of farmers affiliated with TISA.
Of course, farmers incomes have increased significantly, and at the same time individual
enterprises, like PROANDITO (Andean Products of Tomoyo) owned by Julio Quispe, have been
strengthened. These individuals and businesses, once they met their sales commitments
managed by TISA, proposed marketing their surplus locally and training young people in the
community by introducing the necessary techniques and technology to market milk bi-products
and amaranth.
Some of my colleagues are interested in processing milk, especially cheese and yogurt. We
can supply the municipality with school breakfasts, with milk and amaranth, Julio Quispe,
PROANDITO.
Julio, like many in the community, lived in extreme poverty throughout his childhood. He had to
migrate to other departments of the country and even go abroad in search of better
opportunities. It was not until 2001, that he decided to return permanently to Tomoyo and to
start his own chain of businesses, PROANDITO, which is now a legally established business.
The strengthening of rural entrepreneurs has meant necessary training for farmers like Julio
Quispe and even more for the organization that TISA belongs to. In most cases, a large part of
development projects focus on the installation of production infrastructure, limiting the learning
process needed in the community on the administration of these structures under a business
approach.
In my case, I have a lot of experience. Thanks to FHI, I have done several courses on
processing and marketing, Ive met the Mayor of Chuquisaca, Irupana in La Paz. We have also
participated in National Exhibitions like Expocruz, where we offered our producted and we have
made several business deals. Julio Quispe, PROANDITO.
The revenue generated by Julio Quispe during 2008, amounted to US$8,000 of gross income,
which has allowed him to own 5 hectares of irrigated land and harvest twice per year. At this
time, his family (including his 6 children) is taking advantage of the best educational and
nutritional conditions that are offered in the area, as well as having all their basic needs
satisfied.
Before we were forced to leave my community with my family to find some income in order to
survive; now I have everything I need right here, now my children receive a good education and
good health and what we earn allows us to think about doing greater things with our business
thanks to USAID and FHI!! My dream is that my neighbors follow in my steps. Also, this year I
want to give many jobs in my business to people that need to earn money to support their family
here in the Tomoyo area, because my family can not cover all the work that we need to
complete during the entire year. I am very happy and grateful to God. Julio Quispe,
PROANDITO.
Tema: Proyectos de desarrollo en Torotoro Autor: Marcelo Alvarez Ascarrunz
HISTORIA DE XITO
Agua y caminos para el desarrollo de Torotoro
(Torotoro, Potos. 15 de mayo de 2007) El municipio de Torotoro es una
La vinculacin caminera es de las zonas de mayores riquezas paisajsticas, arqueolgicas y
esencial para el acceso a geolgicas del departamento de Potos, en Bolivia. La regin es
mercados, para Torotoro predominantemente montaosa. Su riqueza en fauna y flora tiene a su
caminos tambin significan mejor representante: la Paraba de Frente Roja, ave endmica de
hermosos colores cuyo hbitat es Torotoro. Durante aos, debido a las
fomento directo al turismo. caractersticas geolgicas de la zona, los tramos de camino ms cercanos
al poblado de Torotoro dificultaban el paso de movilidades, tanto de
transporte de carga como de movilidades vinculadas al turismo.
Antes nos tomaba dos a tres horas llegar al pueblo de Torotoro, hace
unos diez aos haba un camino que nosotros mismos hemos hecho a
pulso. Pero igual no ms era la movilidad nos dejaba en la parte de abajo
y nosotros, cargados de nuestro bultos tenamos que subir la loma. Pedro
Foto: Marcelo Alvarez. Fundacin contra el Hambre / Bolivia.
HISTORIA DE XITO
Asociatividad. Caso: Huayllas.
USAID fomenta asociaciones (Ravelo, Potos. julio de 2006). En la zona de Rodeo muchas de las familias
de agricultores para dedicaron sus tierras al cultivo del haba, una leguminosa tpica de la zona.
Familias como la de Honorio Yupari o la de Cipriano Cerrudo cada ao
fortalecer su acceso justo a recogen y siembran haba, al igual que sus abuelos y padres. La conversacin
los mercados locales y de en la cosecha era siempre la misma, a veces con un tono ligeramente
frustrante se apresuraban a cosechar con la esperanza de obtener mejores
exportacin. precios por el producto. En esos tiempos cada agricultor asuma
individualmente el riesgo de vender su produccin, siendo pasibles a las
inequitativas condiciones que los acopiadores (intermediarios). Las variedades
Foto: Yumey Noriega. Food for the Hungry Intl. / Bolivia.
HISTORIA DE XITO
Antes era un basurero, ahora
queremos construir un Mercado zonal.
(SUCRE 24 DE MAYO DE 2006). El barrio del El Morro se encuentra en una de
Los alimentos destinados en las zonas de mayor pobreza en la ciudad de Sucre, su constante crecimiento,
producto de la constante inmigracin campo ciudad configuran un
las obras civiles benefician a panorama de mnimas condiciones de vida, paradjicamente en una ciudad
familias en situacin de capital como lo es Sucre.
pobreza. En muchos casos
Al momento se ha avanzado bastante en la provisin de servicios bsicos
estas familias obtienen esenciales (como la ampliacin de la cobertura de energa elctrica y acceso
tambin la calificacin de su a agua potable) sin embargo, una urgente necesidad es el manejo de aguas
mano de obra. residuales, causantes de la aparicin de basurales. En barrios como El Morro
La Hoyada, o Villa Themis la concentracin de aguas residuales esta
afectando peligrosamente la salud de los vecinos y vecinas, creando focos de
infeccin de enfermedades. Desde 2006, en el nimo de atender estas
Marina Carlo. Fundacin contra el Hambre / Bolivia
Con la harina que recib, hice pan para mis hijos, y tambin cocin lentejas
mis hijos estn contentos. Lorenza Coa, vecina de Alto Loyola, zona el
Morro.
agua potable y menos energa elctrica. Para agricultores como Luis, trasladar su
produccin hasta Ocur significaba al menos dos das a lomo de bestia por senderos
empinados, arriesgando su integridad fsica y la calidad de sus productos cuando
menos. Durante muchos aos, la migracin temporal y definitiva mermaron la fuerza
de trabajo de la comunidad. La situacin de Luis Prez, no era diferente a la de los
dems agricultores de la zona. A pesar de que la comunidad se haba organizado
tradicionalmente a travs del Sindicato Agrario, la instauracin de APROAGRO Ila-
be, est provocando una redistribucin de los beneficios, costos y riegos emergen-
Luis Prez, en exposicin de muestras tes de la comercializacin de su produccin, que prcticamente es su nico medio
de haba clasificada producidas en Ilabe de subsistencia. Despus de tres aos de trabajo en la zona, el Programa de Segu-
ridad Alimentaria, ha sido un socio estratgico en la visin de la comunidad de Ilabe.
Eustaquio, Sixto, y Luis son lderes visionarios, pueden con el tiempo dejar de ser
una asociacin para ser una empresa, los intercambios con otros agricultores, las
ferias les ha enseado mucho. German Colque, Tcnico FH Bolivia.
Ms all de los proyectos de infraestructura emprendidos con la comunidad, FH
FHI / Bolivia gracias al apoyo Bolivia ha combinado el fortalecimiento tcnico y de infraestructura con el apoyo a la
capacitacin de sus lderes para institucionalizar su deseo de superacin. Varios de
proporcionado por USAID los miembros del liderazgo de la comunidad cuentan con formacin tcnica certifica-
promueve, de manera da en pecuaria, atencin primaria de salud, y planificacin estratgica comunal.
concertada programas de
Recuerdo que al iniciar nuestra trabajo en Ilabe, y viendo sus potencialidades les
generacin de ingresos planteamos un desafo -vamos a producir 10 hectreas de haba para comercializar
rurales cuyo eje principal es en grupo, es decir mediante la comunidad organizada- en ese tiempo su produccin
la comercializacin de individual no superaba los 20 quintales. Ahora podemos ver que no solamente estn
productos agropecuarios. El obteniendo mejores precios para su produccin sino que estn organizados para
enfrenar cada uno de los desafos que la comunidad se plantea para mejorar su
objetivo es vincular situacin. Roberto Loayza, Tcnico de FH Bolivia.
productores con operadores
de mercado bajo un enfoque Antes del ingreso de FH Bolivia a la zona, una familia que comercializaba indivi-
dualmente su produccin reciba alrededor de Bs. 90 por quintal, siendo su produc-
de satisfaccin de demandas cin mxima anual de entre 3 a 4 quintales de Haba. Hoy cada familia asociada a
de mercado. APROAGRO produce en promedio entre 10 a 15 quintales al ao, comercializando
su produccin a un precio convenido de Bs. 120 por quintal.
Tema: Sistema de Riego Tomoyo Autor: Marcelo Alvarez Ascarrunz
HISTORIA DE EXITO
Esta tierra ha vuelto a ser frtil
para mi y para mi familia
Un sistema de riego construido (Ravelo, Potos) En lo Alto de las Montaas de los Andes de Bolivia, en una provincia
por los habitantes de Tomoyo rural de Potos uye un ri, el Tomoyo, en su calmado recorrido vierte sus aguas
con el apoyo de USAID y Food por las cercanas de pequeas y desoladas villas, como: Chua Chua, Molle Molle,
for the Hungry est cambiando Yoroca, Sorochi, y Soro Coto. Desgraciadamente, el acceso al agua tiene varias
limitaciones que requieren de la implementacin de sistemas de riego en un terreno
la realidad de muchas personas,
agreste y montaraz. All, desde hace mucho tiempo los habitantes de la regin se
entre ellas Mariano. identican como Quechuas, las mujeres y los hombres han luchado vigorosamente
en un entorno poco favorable, cultivando maz, habas, y papas. Es evidente que
ellos no cuentan con un sistema de riego, que adems de proveerles agua para sus
alimentos, les permita buscar el sustento econmico de su propia produccin agraria.
Esta situacin gener que los ciclos de cosecha decaigan paulatinamente cada
temporada, limitando su produccin, pero por sobre todo, afectando la calidad
alimentaria de los habitantes, y en especial de los nios y nias que presentan
sntomas de desnutricin.
Fue entonces que las autoridades y los lderes comunitarios se contactaron con FHI
Antes no tenamos nada, muchas veces
nos quedbamos sin comer y ahora como con varias propuestas bastante amplias, de tal manera que se pens que muchas de
resultado de este proyecto plantamos, stas eran casi imposibles. Luego de un proceso de concertacin entre las mismas
comemos y vendemostenemos dinero. autoridades y los tcnicos de FHI, se lleg a un consenso: la construccin de canales
Antes este terreno no tena uso, era simple- que conecten la corriente natural del Ro Tomoyo con los sembrados para beneciar
mente rocas, pero ya que hemos construido la produccin agrcola pero principalmente, para proveer agua para sus familias.
terrazas y hemos vuelto a poner fertilizante
a la tierra, tenemos una gran produccin y Gracias al trabajo y energa de los mismos habitantes de Tomoyo, el apoyo
ahora tenemos remuneracin para poder
econmico de USAID y la asistencia tcnica de FHI, mucho de lo que en principio
vivir, ya hemos cosechado trigo en algunas
plantaciones de haba y cuando cosechemos pareca imposible se hizo realidad. El proyecto ms importante fue la construccin
las habas vamos a plantar cebollas. Mariano de un sistema de canalizacin de aguas y riego, donde las mismas comunidades se
Choque, Comunidad Tomoyo. movilizaron excavando la tierra y construyendo las terrazas para que los sembrados.
El proyecto ha trado agua a las tierras ridas, transformando ms de 540 hectreas
de tierra inutilizada o marginal en tierra productiva y frtil. Esta iniciativa conjunta est
transformando muchas vidas, como la de Mariano Choque.
Antes de hoy era tan doloroso para muchos de nosotros mi familia quiero
agradecer a FHI porque hasta ahora hemos trabajado mucho, sin agua y sin ningn
benecio, ahora tengo, tanta alegra de poder ver este gran trabajo, mis rociadores
de agua estn trabajando bien, todo esto es para nuestro benecio, para los pobres y
para todos nosotros. Gracias. Mariano Choque, Comunidad Tomoyo.
Tema: Fortaleciendo los emprendimientos rurales Autor: Marcelo Alvarez Ascarrunz
objective of these Nevertheless, like whichever development processes are essential the protagonist
programs is assumes the risk of whatever responsibility, knowledge, (the mentality of) the
community, the business context, local potentialities, etc., they decide to gamble for the
commercialization of local objective. Most instances the outcomes in Bolivia and in the world, exists a variety of
agricultural products, formulas that combine various factors of these favorable stages for change, with the
same enterprising personality/charisma. The truth is that in world of rural Bolivia, the
based on the idea of cultural Diversity and favorable phase for change, requires actors with particular
qualities. There, precisely where they intervene, with greater strength perhaps that sets
connecting local the stage) the protagonists and their vision in relation to their hope for change (better
producers with market quality of life). Later on, we can take an illustrative example in this problematic facet of
life in Julio Quispe, enterprising rural. Julio Quispe the community of Yoroca in Tomoyo,
operators in order to is a little rural advocate that to the date has requested and replaced at least three loans,
1
satisfy market demands. facilitated by ANED, an organization that provides lines of credit for rural undertakings .
Photo: Food for the Hungry / Bolivia.
Julio counts on several sources of income, that function since the commercialization of
the production of its plots to the provision of agricultural supplies for its neighbors, even
the buying and selling of cattle, and the production of plantines for the reforestation in the
zone.
Julio is seen as one of the most prosperous farmers of the zone. The community
recognizes hiss achievements and is proud of his efforts. Many of his neighbors in the
zone recognize that he is the one that best took advantage of the facilities to find a
"business" to any opportunity that was brought before him. At present Julio is commonly
considered a prestigious authority, and elected as the official voice of Yoroca in
everything that concerns to administration of justice in the community. According to
Marco Sarmiento, specialized technician of FH unfolded in the zone, cases like that of
Julio, (in the center of the image) Julio, they represent the ideal of any rural undertaking. From the needs and
employs youths and children to work in its opportunities of the zone, Julio has been traveling through the most adequate paths to
plots. We see that he is always orienting be found just as now is. Nevertheless, his performance is not only due to the
them and always teaches things to the commercial qualities, Julio is recognized also as an employer of notable wisdom.
boys, advises them, and that is what the
parents of those boys value. Marco His leadership in enterprising is seen fortified by another factor, his relationship with the
Sarmiento Technician of youths of the zone, that in the near future can be source of changes in the vision of the
Commercialization Zonal Team Tomoyo next generations, clear, not only when they talk business, but in everything that has to do
FH Bolivia with the experience other undertakings of Yoroca, and the reaction of the community on
the matter of these "protagonists. Normally, in the words of Marco, we stigmatize the
people that live in rural as reluctant zones to change or informal in their commitments,
nevertheless, is clear that when we speak of social change the settings are different and
the actors are even more so. It is evident that Julio, would not be where he is were he
only dedicated to business, he represents the qualities of a leader in the community of
Yoroca, not any leader in any community: A leader of Yoroca.
\
1
ANED, is a trust fund that grants for rural enterprises in Bolivia. FH counts on an agreement with ANED
that permits FH to always supply credit and count on their expert presence when necessary. In case of the
intervention zones of FH, it is FH itself who is the in charge of offering the technical assistance to the
petitioners.
Tema: Manejo Integrado de Cuencas Autor: Marcelo Alvarez Ascarrunz