News and Announcements

For the "Dia del nino" the "Day of the Children" we had a very special event. Bolivia's TV channel "ATB" organized it's nationwide show live from Proyecto Horizonte. Over 1000 children participated in the show

For the "Dia del nino" the "Day of the Children" we had a very special event. Bolivia's TV channel "ATB" organized it's nationwide show live from Proyecto Horizonte. Over 1000 children participated in the show

Together and with the support of the SODIS Foundation we built the first dry toilets in the community. They are located nearby our office. The toilets separate "Number 1" & "Number 2" and process both in a natural way. This will prevent the spreading of odors and avoids the use of precious water for cleaning. Hopefully we can build many more of those toilets in teh community and by that solve a major hygiene issue as well as safe water. Please let us know if you like to learn more or would like to help us financing those toilets...

The weekly english classes will take place over the next 10 weeks. They have been developed by the english teacher Mery Torrico Rojas and a group of volunteers. All students who complete the course will receive an official certificate of achievement. See the picture: Our volunteer Brendan Jones is helping out with the first english class of the new term.

Our women’s groups, Tantakuna, are about women meeting and working together in a bakery, small shops and by selling handicrafts. Tomorrow the women take a day off and go on a trip together to celebrate International Women’s day. The women of our handicraft group produce handmade products using traditional Andean techniques, support them by buying our products at Casablanca in Cochabamba or send an email of interest to tantakuna@proyectohorizonte.or​g

As part of a campaign to make the kindergarten more beautiful, the parents of all children take part in cleaning up the grounds. This year a total of 198 children are enrolled in the kindergarten in seven different groups. At the beginning of the new school year a meeting of all parents takes place in each group. The teachers introduce themselves and talk about the upcoming activities. They inform the parents about the daily schedule and give valuable tips and hints to ensure that the children integrate into the groups easily. After the meeting parents and teachers work together for an hour preparing the grounds of the kindergarten. There is plenty to do: Over the summer, the grass on the playground shot up. Parents remove wild weed, collect forgotten garbage, and do the gardening. They bring all the tools they need with them. In this way parents help to maintain the area. They take responsibility and ensure that their children can safely learn and play every day. These campaigns are scheduled twice a year from now on.

With the goal to increase its visibility in the community of Cochabamba, Proyecto Horizonte organized a benefit concert with two famous local bands - Trimate and Cartel Afonico. On September 22nd, 300 people celebrated until the wee hours. The evening generated a lot of interest for Tantakuna products, volunteering opportunities, and offers of donations in kind.

Sabine Nizery, one of our volunteers, held a First Aid Course, complete with teaching materials designed specifically for the community. The course was run with every class in the secondary school, as well as with the personnel at the Proyecto Horizonte. The importance of first aid is crucial. The majority of the families live in houses with just one room, with a gas stove in close proximity to the children. As it might take a long time until professional help arrives, First Aid skills can save lifes!

At the end of June 2011, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of Mineros San Juan – founded by miners from the Potosi region. In 2001, the group moved collectively to the department of Cochabamba to settle in Ushpa- Ushpa, the place where they remain until today. The fiesta of a weekend started with the students, faculty, and volunteers of Proyecto Horizonte marching through the streets to the tune of the school band. 18 groups of dancers from the local community entertained the packed street throughout the day, each accompanied by their own local band. The traditional dances were beautiful and fascinating to watch; such talent! In true fiesta style, there was a plethora of local cuisine food and drink options, games and rides; something to keep everyone merry and entertained! Proyecto Horizonte‘s participation was significant in demonstrating our continued involvement, commitment, and support to the residents of Ushpa-Ushpa.

On Tuesday, February 1, Proyecto Horizonte´s health center inaugurated their new medical laboratory with a small ceremony attended by Proyecto Horizonte staff, volunteers, and friends. The hall of the health center was filled with supporters as Padre Jacques, a Catholic priest from a local parish, performed a brief religious ceremony to celebrate and give thanks for the important new resource available to the community.

Following his service, the health center’s director Doctor Alvaro Mendoza was joined by other health center staff and Proyecto Horizonte team members in sharing their thoughts through brief speeches. An overwhelming sense of gratitude, hope, and excitement was expressed by all in attendance. Events such as this give the ground staff in Mineros San Juan an opportunity to reaffirm their ongoing mission of improving the quality of life for the community they serve.

To conclude the ceremony, Dr. Alvaro and co-founder Osvaldo Castro unveiled a plaque commemorating the inauguration of the lab. The plaque, which hangs in full view of the waiting area at the health center, reads as follows:

Health Center - Mineros San Juan
Built in 2005-2006, Clinical Laboratory Implemented: 2010-2011, Expansion and Equipment of Efforts in Different Areas: 2010-2011
Under the Direction of Doctor Alvaro Mendoza Claros
Administered by Professor Osvaldo Castro Andre
and Financed by Proyecto Horizonte
Thank you to all who helped to complete this goal
Cochabamba, February 2011

As of the conclusion of the ceremony the laboratory was officially opened and guests were invited to view the new lab. A longtime goal of the health center, the laboratory will enable the health professionals to perform tests directly in the health center and allow the patients to avoid travelling elsewhere to obtain vital diagnostic information. This will facilitate much faster and more convenient treatment of patients and equip the health staff to offer a higher level of care. Proyecto Horizonte is proud to offer this valuable resource to Mineros San Juan and surrounding communities in 2011.