work teams

Sapecho, Bolivia

Come to Sapecho, the birthplace of SIFAT! This is the jungle village where the concept of SIFAT was born in 1976. At that time, it was just a village of a few thatched roof huts and little social infrastructure. It was here that Ken Corson, along with the mayer of the town, Benjo Paredes, began work in integrated community development and self-help projects for poor homesteading communities.

Located in the tropical rain forest of the Alto Beni region of Bolivia, Sapecho is still a fontier town where new homesteaders pass through on their way to settle the unclaimed lands of the jungle. Now, however, with the help of SIFAT, Sapecho has developed a basic infrastructure. They have a high school and a SIFAT-sponsored boarding house for the 86 youth who live too far out to walk to school daily. Sapecho has electricity, telephones, a clean water system, and even a health center. The families of the early homestaeders will welcome you as you work beside them to continue to build on this infrastructure.

Construction teams may build additional showers/restrooms for the children's boarding home, or make desperately needed repairs to various buildings. medical, dental, and optical teams are welcome as health care is severely limited for these local citizens.

Housing is available in a small "residencia". Bathing is done in cold water showers; laundry is done by hand in a "pila" or in the river. Meals are prepared and eaten in the residencia.

The staff if CENATEC (SIFAT's sister organization) will meet you at the airport in La Paz. Have your cameras ready for breathtaking scenery as you travel approximately 9 hours from the high altitude down into the rainforest.

Once in Sapecho, you will experience and share the love of Christ with the villagers through music and testimonies. Be prepared to play some soccer or basketall with the youth and adults of the town!