Amerika and Norik

Amerika 5 years ago .

Dear friends, greetings from the land where the sky is a mixture of ultramarine and cerulean blue nearly every day, and where oranges and lemons delight the eyes at almost every turn of the road .

It’s market day.  It’ll be busy and  buzzy and exciting because tomorrow is the main day of Christmas here in Spain, the day of the Three  Kings. This is the  day the children traditionally receive their presents.

It’s a special day of celebration for my dear friend Loli.  Her second grandchild was born yesterday.  She’s the aunt of the young waiter Kiki who died in the fire in the bar in Lanjaron in June. Life has been hard for her family since then.  New life is utterly awesome, isn’t it!

On the other side of the world in Bolivia, the 6^th of January will also be celebrated.  In Cochabamba for my beloved adopted Bolivian granddaughter Amerika, it will be a day she won’t ever forget. 

 

Tragically her baby Norik died (in uterus) on Saturday.  He was delivered by caesarean section on Monday. Amerika is 19.  I heard this news (from her) yesterday, within 10 minutes of returning home after my week away.

The medical conditions in the hospital were dire.  She’s  now home with her mother in law and young husband.  

In the hospital, Amerika was only allowed a visitor for one hour in the morning, and one hour in the evening.  She was in a room with many young mothers, all nursing their new born babies.  Her own mum is blind.

Her dad  Claudio, a gifted actor and teacher, has been a special friend  for over six years. Long story.  He  works with street kids in Santa Cruz. Amerika used to work with him at an arts centre they created in a extremely poor part of the city.

I’m wanting to raise money to help pay for the funeral of Norik, and  for the bringing of his little body back to Santa Cruz. 

If you would like to help me do this, please  go to our chocdrops.net website and make a small donation via PayPal. 

I have never ever asked for help in this way, but this story is so tragic and the circumstances so dire, I can’t sit back  and do nothing. Every 10€ will make a difference to making things a tiny  bit easier for them.

My first response was to ask the nuns at Belalcazar  monastery to pray for the family.  They replied within an hour that of course they would.  So I continue to believe that despite everything,  poco a poco -little by little-  all will be well.  

Amerika  is an old soul in a very young body.   

Love  is now flowing across seas and mountains to this fragile family.  

 They have next to nothing  materially speaking, but  they have a passion for life, huge courage and imagination, and a desire to make the world a better  place for the hundreds of disadvantaged children they work with live amongst.

Barbara Magalotti (of the prison) is helping me with info re flights and costs for the funeral.

PS.  All and any prayers  and healing thoughts will be gratefully received.

Money is not the answer to everything, but in this case, some is needed. We don’t know exactly how much yet.  I will keep you posted.

I would like to send Amerika 100€ for the next 6 months to make sure she is able to buy medicines and food. 

She already has a 2 year old daughter called Inti.

To donate: please go to www.chocdrops.net.

Update:

Amerika is now very happy to be back living in Santa Cruz. He beloved dad lives close by.  She is truly amazing in the way she is getting on with her life.  She even talks about going back to school. She left aged 14, and has two more years to complete. She's 20 now.

With our money she managed to find a little one bedroomed apartment with a small patio where Inti can play. Finding a place to stay 8 days after major surgery,  has taken its toll.  She tells me she may have a hernia,  so will go  to hospital tomorrow.

Street theatre in Bolivia, the inspiration for Claudio and  Amerika.

I have raised over 400€  and still need to find 200€ to support her for the next 6 months.

100€ a month  can be life changing in Bolivia for a family.

Planning to sell some drawings on line !  Watch this space for details !!

Have a lovely day, and thank you again for your support.

PPS. The 200€ has arrived !  I sold two drawings yesterday.  Thank you Jill and Sian.