A Day in My World: Monica in Bolivia

It’s about three hours by car from La Paz, Bolivia, to the village where 13-year-old Monica lives with her parents and two little sisters. Mountains hem the community in on all sides, forming a dusty bowl of land speckled with adobe houses and family farms. When the sun rises over the mountains, tinging the morning mist with gold, Monica knows it’s time for her to rise, too.

As the oldest, Monica (far right) always tries to set a good example for her sisters. She makes the bed she shares with her sister Lizeth (center), then washes her hands before joining her family for a breakfast of cuñapé, a traditional Bolivian cheesy bread.

The sisters put on their uniforms and set out for school, which is more than a mile from their house across rough, hilly terrain. They hope to get bikes someday to make the trek a little easier, but for now, walking will have to do. It helps to have company!

Monica is known among her classmates as a voracious learner. She likes to sit in the front of the classroom, close to the teacher, “to learn more.” ChildFund Bolivia provides many of the educational materials at the school and operates “Communications Corners” where students can get tutoring and homework help.

After school, Monica and her sisters return home to eat chuño, a stew made from freeze-dried potatoes. The family dresses the dish up with some lamb and lots of chili pepper. Spicy food helps with digestion, which can be difficult at this high altitude.

Now it’s time for chores. Monica, pictured here with the family’s two cows, is in charge of feeding and caring for the animals. In farming communities like hers, many families rely on livestock for a significant chunk of their income.

Monica also has laundry duty. She washes the family’s clothes and shoes in a large tub. “We don’t have electricity, so we do most things with the sunlight,” she says. “As you can see, the weather is good today, and you can enjoy the view.”

When it’s time for dinner, Monica volunteers to cook. She enjoys helping feed her family. “My parents work all day,” she explains. “They might be very hungry!”

Before the sun sets, Monica and her youngest sister find a little time to relax in bed and get some homework done.

In a few short hours, it will be time to wake up, make the bed and start it all over: another day full of working, playing and learning. For now, it’s time to rest.