Clefa

A recent article in the Cochabamba newspaper spoke of how the situation of Cleferos has not changed since the original study in 2006.  What is a Clefero?  Someone who huffs Clefa, a powerful adhesive.

Photo from the newspaper.

I immediately recognized the group in the photo.  A group of homeless teens that live in a plaza that I pass by so often on my way to the market.  I've taken a couple of groups out to share dinner and small talk with them in the past.  I've watched them share small plates of food, and I've watched them beat each other to a bloody pulp.

The newspaper article explained that there are approximately 450 children addicted to Clefa in Cochabamba.  Its attraction?  Cheap.  Makes you feel warm.  Kills hunger pains.

Easy to see why it is popular.

Clefa is powerful.  The huffer usually has a small bottle or just the cap to a soda bottle with their stash.  It is kept in hand, rolled in the shirt cuff, or even rolled in the shirt collar for constant access, although it is easily smelled by anyone just passing by.

In addition to being highly addictive, Clefa is also very quickly the cause of irreversible brain damage.

Another study that I found from 2002 showed Clefa addicts in Bolivia equal the number of Marijuana and Cocaine addicts, each coming in around 40,000 (that's about .5% of the total population).

Photo I took in 2008.

The above photo is one that I took in 2008 less than 2 blocks from the plaza where the Cleferos live.  The boy is sleeping in the street (behind him is the step up the the sidewalk).

Photo I took in 2008

Photo I took in 2008

Photo I took in 2008

Photo I took in 2008

Above are some pictures that I took of children (except the one in the sugar sacks is an adult) who live and sleep on the streets of Cochabamba.

Photo I took in 2008

Not really the place I want to spend my nights.

The expert interviewed in the article drew things to a close by pointing out that we shouldn't just worry about this statistic, but keep in mind that Bolivia holds the number 2 spot in Latin America (including Central America) and the number 1 spot in South America for its child mortality rate in children under the age of 5 with 25,000 children dying each year.

The expert went on to slam the organizations and institutions that receive funding to work with children saying that they spend more on staff salaries and maintaining their status than on their real objectives, "Si esas instituciones hicieran lo que deberían y dicen hacer, no habrían niños en la calle."--"If these institutions did what they should do and say that they do, there would not be children in the street."


I'm holding my boys a little tighter tonight and thanking God that they aren't out there anymore.

I Think I'll Keep Them

I often say it.  Mostly just joking around, especially after telling some horror story about their little boy behaviors.  But it hit me this morning…the only reason they are a part of my life for even just a moment is because ALL the people in this world who were SUPPOSED to LOVE and KEEP them…DIDN’T.

WHO COULD THROW HIM AWAY???

But they did.  They all did.

People talk about my “sacrifices” and my “missionary spirit”…

…but how is anything less than scooping him up and giving him a beautiful home normal??

I talk about them being my sons, but nearly everyone disagrees with me saying that once I have my “own” children I will “feel” differently.  I don’t believe them.  As much as I know that a child in the womb is a gift of God, I am equally sure that He has given these children to me.

So yes, I think I will keep them.

And love them as my sons.

Because GOD said I’m supposed to.

And I'm so glad that He did!

Christmas Review

What a wonderful Christmas! Indeed one of the best ones yet.

I had a lot of shopping to do before the team arrived, as this year the gift buying fell to me. It was quite the adventure, and I don’t ever want to do it alone again! But there really isn’t anything more fun than being in the middle of miles of toys with a wad of cash in my pocket and the boys’ wish lists in my hand. I even got to pick out the tree for the cafeteria and bought one for the apartment as well.

The arrival of the team was a tremendous blessing to the boys, who had been counting down since the last team’s departure in July.  They were also a tremendous blessing for me, as I was beginning to feel lonely!  How amazing to have so many friends and “family” show up for the holidays!

First order of business was to play with the boys, and with the recent installation of chess/checkers tables in the park, picnic tables, and a basketball goal, that was where everything was happening!

Presents, of course, were of high priority as well.  The team helped organized stockings, gather each boy’s presents from the mound of shopping bags, add clothes and shoes for each child, and then wrap EVERYTHING!

For three afternoons, the team also joined forces with our church for Sidewalk Sunday Schools where the story of the birth of Christ was shared with HUNDREDS of children each day.

On Christmas Eve, we dressed up for a delicious turkey and pork dinner all together and then the boys shared a short program of skits and dances.  The program was short because no one could wait long for the arrival of Papa Noel!!!

We started with the oldest boys as I hoped they would be the most patient.  The moment that every child had their gift in hand, we counted down from 3 and the paper shredding began!  I still love how, amongst all the boys, brothers immediately gravitate to each other to see what each other received.

The next morning the team rose early to make scrambled eggs and pancakes for the boys’ breakfast.  When everyone had a full belly, out came the STOCKINGS!

We all hated to see the team go at the end of the week, and I’ve never been so close to crying at the airport.  It was a week of blessing, family, and joy.  And now the countdown for March teams has begun!