Clothing donations for Bolivians

[Jim]

A friend of mine sent me this from Bolivia. She is trying to get some mountain clothing gear for local folks that can work in a locally-operated guiding service. If you have used mountain clothing (in decent condition) you want to part with give me a PM. Thanks.

 

Dear Friends,

 

I have a small mission here in Bolivia I would like you all to help me accomplish if you can. Folks have read about the serious cold I've talked about here in the Central Andes of Bolivia. It is gorgeous, but cold! This project is to help the local guides, porters, llamateers and mule drivers of the Apolobamba region in northwest of Bolivia. This area is along the Peruvian border, just north of the Lake Titicaca. They live high up in the altiplano of Bolivia. At 14,000 feet, it is a harsh, cold and nearly barren existence. Many campesinos live in very remote pueblos consisting of only a few families.

 

In this region most people are miners, living and working at 5,300m or higher for years at a time. The long term affects of work at this altitude can be devestating. Due to injuries from unsafe conditions and more commonly, from severe lung and circulation problems due to too high of a red blood count, some people can no longer work and earn an income. The poverty is extreme (Bolivia is the second poorest country in South America) but some of the people in this area do have mules and llamas. Under the right circumstances, with these animals, there is the possibility to earn an income to feed their families. Andean Summits helps this to happen.

 

Andean Summits (www.andeansummits.com) is a Bolivian owned and run mountian guide organization. I went with Andean Summits (AS) on my incredible trek to the Apolobamba Mountains this July (2004). Javier Thellaeche and Jose Camarlinghi are long time mountaineers and the owners of this small business. But what they really are, in my mind, is an amazing grass roots economic development organization. They are cultural ambassadors of sorts as well, between the few tourists who come to this region and the local people. In remote regions like the Apolobamba, Javier and Jose connect with the local people (campesinos) to learn who in the area has mules and llamas. They then hire the people and their animals. At the same time they hire campesinos familiar with area to work as local guides.

 

Often the campesinos have no experience with tourism or (western) trekking, so AS teaches them how to load the animals with this kind of gear and other relevant skills. The campesinos earn more money from one trip with AS than they could in months normally. If the locals are interested, AS invites them into the kitchen tent and teaches them how to cook for a trek and other useful skills to develop their ability to work with tourists. Essentially AS provides local people the opportunity and training to earn income with their animals in a very thoughtful and culturally sensitive way.

 

 

In the off season, AS offers the opportunity for local people from the mountain areas to learn the basics of trekking and even technical climbing. Here they learn the skills necessary to help guide or support a trek or climb. AS does this for no charge to the people who participate.They then try to hire from this group in the high season. In addition, Andean Summits has a very committed staff of permanent employees.

 

The biggest challenge AS faces is to keep the llamateers, mule drivers, porters and local guides warm and dry at such high altitudes under sometimes extreme conditions. I know you can imagine that most of these folks are hiking snow covered passes in rubber sandals, cotton sweat shirts and blanket rolls. The campesinos easliy learn to work with AS and the trekkers, but what they can't do easily is stay warm and dry away from home for a week or two at a time on a trek. They don't have the clothing or supplies to be warm, dry and comfortable.

 

Those of you who have done Inner City Outings trips with me or ever tried to take more than three kids (or adults for that matter) camping know how hard and expensive it is to get good gear. It is nearly impossible to buy quality gear here in Bolivia. And what is available is out of the price range of a Bolivian campesino. In fact, many of the mountain guide agencies here are western owned because of the expense of the gear and training involved to guide safe trekking and climbing trips.

 

I was so moved and inspired by the integrity of the folks at Andean Summits, that I made a commitment to Javier and Jose to send all the extra good quality gear I have to them in Bolivia. They will use this gear for the local people they hire. I also said I would ask my friends to help. My goal is to send enough long underwear and warm socks to keep 10 people warm and dry for their next training. A Canadian expedition is coming to Bolivia in November and has offerred to bring the gear to AS free of charge.

 

If you have the time and resources at this moment to help with this project, I would really appreciate it. The easiest way is to click on www.REI.com. I registered here under my name for some supplies. When you go to REI.com, click on gift registry and put in Amy O'Toole. You will see that I registered for 10 pairs of long underwear tops and bottoms, 20 pairs of socks, a few water bottles and some climbing slings. When you purchase the gear online, it is sent to my mom's house immediately. This may be the only time in my life I ever register somewhere! No item costs more than 30 dollars.

 

Another way you can help, especially if you live in Seattle, is to donate any good quality rain gear you may have.

[cj001f]

Is their anyway/need to donate used, but still serviceable clothing? I'm sure a number of us have longunderwear, fleece, gloves, etc that we already own and would be interested in donating (at least I do)

[Luna]

I think he said that:

 

[quote If you have used mountain clothing (in decent condition) you want to part with give me a PM. Thanks.

[Jim]

New, used, too small or large, ugly clothing. I'll take it.

[Jim]

One bump. Any used warm or rainproof gear out there?