As I prepare this letter for the international Joining Hands network over 20 representatives of UMAVIDA institutions are meeting in El Alto in what Julie reports is a very productive workshop on strengthening their microenterprise programs. The Citizenship and Democracy and the North-South, South-North and South-South task forces have been active in the planning and carrying-out of this important workshop.

-by Bob Dunsmore, Companionship Facilitator

A New Coordinator for UMAVIDA

Our new National Coordinator, Ely Lopez, is doing a great job of overseeing our nine Bolivian non profits and three churches' efforts to carry out the 2007 operational plan. She is working hard on developing office accounting procedures, network communications and incorporation efforts.

Presbytery Resolutions on Joining Hands and Newmont
My visit in March to Cascades Presbytery, my home Presbytery, resulted in a Presbytery resolution to formalize a partnership with UMAVIDA when at least eight churches join. Five are now onboard. Another resolution by Cascades Presbytery called for the Newmont Mining Corporation to undertake new and more responsible mining practices and points out that the PC(USA) holds over 50,000 Newmont shares. Communities in Bolivia believe they and their lakes and aquifers have been severely affected by mining contamination. Newmont has refused to carry out comprehensive mining impact audits with community-level oversight and participation.

Shortly after this Presbytery resolution Newmont shareholders voted to have an independent review of environmental and social impacts of the company's global operations. Activists refer to this as an "unprecedented step" and a "milestone" in the ability of the ethical investment movement to gain the ear of major corporations.

Joint visit by three Presbyteries

We recently hosted a delegation with representation of our two partner Presbyteries of Newark and San Francisco. Also representated was our upcoming partner Cascades Presbytery. All evaluations of this visit indicate what we believe here. It was great. Peoples from different Worlds, together, as a family, joining hearts and literally joining hands. As Ely puts it, "We are all in the same boat. There is danger of capsizing if we do not row together."

Upcoming Events

UMAVIDA has decided to carry out regional level youth gatherings to prepare for an international encounter in January 2008 here in Bolivia. Youth from the Presbyteries will be invited. The focus will be the environment and, specifically, the global warming crisis. The activities in preparation will be paralled in the Presbyteries in the USA, God willing.

The Presbyterian Church's Hunger Program will soon be conducting a national level workshop with UMAVIDA member institutions here in Bolivia to define a south-north, north-south and south-south strategy with one primary focus for 2008.

Joint visit by three JH Presbyteries

by Joan Huff, secretary/treasurer for the JH Task Force of the San Fransisco Presbytery

From April 27-May 5, representatives from Cascades

Presbytery, Newark Presbytery and San Francisco Presbytery traveled together to Bolivia to meet with representatives of UMAVIDA and study together environmental concerns centered on water. They visited the Urmiri Hot Springs, the glacier on Huayna Potosi, and the water treatment plant in El Alto. They also spoke with city officials and neighborhood organizers in El Alto to learn how the city is changing water distribution and sewer hook up policy in the wake of the departure of the transnational company, which managed the water system in El Alto 1997 - 2007.

Presbyteries and UMAVIDA to promote

Youth Conference on the Environment

UMAVIDA representatives and the three presbyteries shared with one another the work they are all doing toward common goals. They agreed to work together to promote a Youth Conference on the Environment to be held in Bolivia in January 2008. COIJ, the youth organization in Santa Cruz, in the eastern part of Bolivia, leads the UMAVIDA Environment Task Force and will take the lead on this event. Each presbytery is now recruiting and training youth participants for this rapidly approaching event.