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From Bolivia: Personal reflections on what I accomplished


Photo courtesy Kevin Dumler
with collaborator NGO representative of Engineers In Action, Ruben Mamani
Before arriving in Bolivia, I was unsure of how I would react to poverty.  I had seen poverty before, the homeless of Los Angeles’s skid row or immigrant families where I grew up in San Bernardino, but I knew none of this would compare with the poverty of Bolivia.  First driving from the airport, I knew I was in a place that was putting me far out of my comfort zone and was different from anywhere I had ever been.  I thought my reaction to this poverty was somewhat interesting.  I guess I somewhat expected to be overcome with sorrow at the living conditions of the people in Bolivia.  While I was shocked at the poverty, the only way my body could really take it was turn somewhat cold to it; to just zone it all while I am here.    

What, perhaps, was even more surprising than the poverty was the income disparity between Bolivians.  The most ironic situation I came upon was the 3G access for cell phones where I was working, yet the people had no access to the human right of water.  In some areas of La Paz, there are malls and cinemas that could look like any of those in the US.  At the same time, the mining communities of the Altiplano are among the poorest in the world.  I am not saying that those more affluent in La Paz do not deserve their wealth, but it is very hard on an individual to such gaps among people living together.

Photo courtesy Kevin Dumler
Quincucirca, Bolivia
I read a book before arriving in Bolivia, and I was convinced that being employed to alleviate poverty around the world would be the job for me.  For one, I could have the adventurous lifestyle I crave, traveling and experiencing cultures all year around.  Another, would be the belief that was contributing something valuable to the world.  At home, I think to myself “I do not deserve the life I have.”  I wonder why I was born with so many luxuries while others are born into this world with so many struggles and limited possibilities.  On top of that, I find helping others to be very rewarding.  In a way, it can be somewhat selfish.  “I want to help others so I feel good about myself.”  Although this is true, as long as the project demonstrates a belief in others above oneself, helping others can be both selfish and selfless at the same time.

At the conclusion of this trip, I must say, I found the emotions different than I was expecting.  I was expecting to have that rewarding sensation that I have experienced when volunteering in the U.S.  However, I did not have much of this sensation when I left.  I believe there are a few reasons for this. 

For one, I accomplished less than I was expecting.  To be frank, I was disappointed with myself.  However, much of this was out of my control, and what was in my control has pushed me to want to continue to educate myself so I am better prepared for the future.  In addition, this lack of sensation could have been caused by the lack of concrete, tangible results.  This trip, while not the original intention, ended up being about preparing an EWB-UC Davis team for the future.  I thought about this a little, and realized preparing for anything (whether it be athletics, music, or any other activity) is hardly ever rewarding.  

So far, I have yet to contribute something tangible to the community, so I believe my conclusions are justified.

From Kevin Dumler, UC Davis undergraduate in civil engineering

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