And the winner is… Doña Paulina Quiroz who spun 4,382 yards
Life seemed a bit dull after all the excitement and activity surrounding the Spinzilla spinning week in October. Team Warmis Phuskadoras ranked 19 out of 56, which is amazing considering there were no spinning wheels involved. The 66, 071 yards was all spun on drop spindles. Of the 15 countries represented, the team put Bolivia on the map by ranking 3rd!
Spinning is just 1 step in the long process from sheep to completed weaving. Participation in Spinzilla had the unexpected benefit of raising awareness of the effort that goes into each of the traditional Andean weavings. So, thanks again to the team’s TNNA sponsors Thrums, LLC and ClothRoads and to the PAZA supporters who made it possible for the team to participate.
Jessica´s Still Too Young for Baking Classes, but She Got an Apron Anyway
The chicas who have been loosely associated with CdA through the years have made frequent visits to use the sewing machines. The school year ends in November so final school projects are due for the weekly expositions. The women have been working on sewing projects including sewing aprons for the youngsters who will be involved in CdA’s vacation session baking classes. We tried international cooking classes during vacation a few years ago, but each class saw less and less group participation. When it came down to it the women didn’t really want to cook and wash dishes, they get enough of that at home.
Doña Máxima´s Family Adorned Her Father-In-Law´s Grave, 2010
There was a week vacation for Todos Santos, All Saint’s Day, which fell on a rainy Sunday in early November. The town filled with returning migrants as families gathered to commemorate their recently departed and honor their ancestors. The holiday is a weird wonderful combination of the holy and the festive and seems a very healthy outlet for grief from the loss of a loved one.
Bolivia Aleman´s Senior Class
A week after the Todos Santos, Independencia celebrated Día de la Villa Independencia with 3 days of festivities. It was the last parade for the graduating classes from the 2 local high schools. I teared up watching them march by looking so proud and smart in their senior trajes (suits). Graduation will be in a few weeks, and almost all will migrate to Cochabamba or beyond.
Joel and His 3 Sisters Working and Playing in the PAZA Library
We´re hoping to raise the last $400 needed for 6 year old Joel Cachi´s medical evaluation. Joel´s father has to wait until the 2015 municipal government budget goes into effect sometime after February to receive payment for a work contract he recently completed. It´s been over a year since Joel´s brain tumors were removed and the evaluation is needed sooner for a diagnosis as to why he hasn´t made a 100% recovery. School starts in February and Joel anticipates donning his smock and heading to kindergarten.
Wishing all of you exactly what you need be it a fun and festive or calm and relaxing gathering of family and friends for the Thanksgiving holiday. Dorinda Dutcher, November 11, 2014
PAZA 