Originally a building to cloister young women entering the convent, the two story structure surrounds a small garden. A second floor balcony also surrounds the garden on 4 sides over hanging the walkway below it. Each room opens out to either walkway or balcony. This type of architecture necessitates movement of people outside, to go from room to room.
Johnny is the secretary/receptionist in the afternoon. He became one of my first new friends after returning to mission last year. In the mornings he teaches religion and theology to religious in formation.
A view from the second floor balcony of the chapel steeple of the Santa Clara Convent. The convent is home to the Franciscan Sisters who opened their doors, so that many groups could provide services to Cochabamba's many needy and poor people.
Doña Lydia is one of my favorite people who take care of the children of Mosoj Ph'unchay. Mosoj Ph'unchay is a home for children with severe burns housed within the Franciscan Social Center. Lydia works 24 hour shifts, every third day, taking care of between 5 and 12 children. She cooks, cleans, bathes the children, washes bedding by hand and so much more. For 3 or 4 hours morning and afternoon (Mon-Fri) Volunteers come in for tutoring, physical therapy, playing games, and crafts.
Here I am with one of the kids from the center besides a poinsetta tree. They grow over 15 feet tall. We have 14 foot ceiling and the plant grows well past the second story.
A view from above, Nora and I live in the second story in one corner. The children of Mosoj Ph'unchay live in a connecting corner and along the next side.
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