I am happy to say that my passion to open a domestic violence shelter in Cochabamba, Bolivia is still going strong! To this end, I have been seeking advice from anyone and everyone who is willing to share, and this includes directors of non-profit organizations, mentors and employees of companies that assist start-up organizations, and a plethora of start-up events, meet ups, and chapter events for non-profit organizations. I have also been working on my business plan, and if anyone has advice in writing the marketing and/or fundraising sections, please let me know! Some of the events I have been attending are as follows: 1 Million Cups (national start-up organization connecting entrepreneurs weekly) BACA Chapter Meetings (Bikers Against Child Abuse international volunteer organization monthly meetings) Creative Collisions (local Meet Up Group monthly meetings for entrepreneurs and others interested in startups) At the last BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) meeting, I was asked the following question that took me a bit by surprise, "What do you do?" It reminded me that this question is such an integral part of our culture in the United States, it is usually the first one we ask when we are getting to know someone. It is not, however, the first question that someone asks in Bolivia, where I spent the majority of my time answering questions about my family, favorite foods, and if anything else which sports I played. So I said the first thing that came to mind, "Nothing." To which I received the quippy reply, "And how does that pay?" To which I replied, "Not very well," and we all shared a laugh. Then, of course, I regrouped and talked about my passion for opening a domestic violence shelter in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and how there is so much need for assistance in a country where every 3 days a woman is killed as a result of domestic partner violence. I went on to implore the members of BACA, an international organization, to consider opening a chapter in Bolivia. Perhaps it was their turn to be shocked, but at the very least it inspired an important conversation about a country in Latin America that is very rarely discussed, and a seed was planted. And they were planting their own seeds by inviting three potential volunteers to a monthly chapter meeting where at least 15 families with children who have been abused are being supported by a group of volunteers with big hearts and big bikes. When a child is a victim of domestic violence, the local chapter supports the child and entire family by staging vigils outside the house if a child feels threatened, welcoming all members of the family into the BACA organization with cool member vests for all of the kids, and appearing in the courthouse to ensure that the child is not intimidated by anyone. Additionally, the list of "inactive" families is at least twice as long, and support to these children includes sponsoring proms by purchasing dresses and tiaras, attending graduations, and continuing to be there for the kids when they just need to talk to someone who understands. For more information about BACA, please see the following video:
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AuthorValerie Ellis, who is in alignment with the Black Lives Matter Movement and everyone whose life is impacted, now or before, by times of social injustice. Archives
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