Bearing Fruit – Report from Aidan Rooney

Aidan Rooney writes… “I’ve been back in Bolivia a short while now, after a lovely visit with many of you. Thank you for all your kindnesses during my visit, and your continued support of the mission. I didn’t speak of this while I was home, because I wanted to see it actually happen before I said anything. Juan Ramiro Mallqui Patana, one of the graduates of our youth formation/university program, who graduated in 2012 with a degree in Educational Psychology and Curriculum Development, has returned to join the team in Mocomoco for one year. Last year, he worked in a special education setting in La Paz and then in Brazil(!), and decided to pause to “give back” to his own people. Ramiro is a strong teacher and leader, and will work with catechesis, language and alphabetization with lectors and catechists, and human formation with those preparing to enter university. This year he guides Jhonny Ari Pampa and Rene Chagua Ari, our students preparing for higher studies; and Franklin Villca Mamani, Adriana Jimenez Mancilla, Laura Jimenez Mancilla, and Pilar Vera Loza, who are preparing for Confirmation within a catechumenal model. He will receive a small stipend for his personal needs. After this year, he hopes to move into the government education department to bring Catholic and Vincentian influence in a lagging educational system.