Antakawa is a tiny community hidden in the folds of the rolling mountains of the canton of Challa. It is in the municipality of Tapacarí in the department of Cochabamba. Access to Antakawa is through the community of Confital located on the highway between La Paz and Cochabamba. From Confital, there is a small dirt road that winds down through a windswept valley and another small community to finally arrive in Antakawa.

This dirt road used to be the main passageway between Cochabamba and La Paz. A number of small, adobe hotels and restaurants used to line the main street through Antakawa. Some are still there. But those still standing show gaping holes through unused windows, collapsed roofs, and sagging walls. What was once a thriving community is now little more than a ghost town with a scattering of families. The road used to reflect this neglect as well which added to the difficulty the families experienced with taking the meager production of their crops to market to sell.

“Before, our road was very steep and the river would carry the road away with it. Now we have a cobblestone road and drainage ditches. In this way, the vehicles can circulate without problems and can carry our products to Confital,” reminisced Norberto Quispe Pillco, a 34 year old husband and father of three. He lives in Antakawa with his family and works with the FHI staff in the community.

FHI is active in Norberto’s community with the Child Development Program, the Rural Roads program, the Agriculture Program, the Integrated Health Program, and the Natural Resources Program. Norberto has been involved in three specific work projects with FHI: the Lacuyo Boarding House, animal shelters to protect livestock against the elements, and the improvement of the road. During these, Norberto received food rations for the time he spent working which helped feed his family.

“In the community of Antakahua, thanks to God, work projects are being realized through institutions such as FHI, where we work, and in exchange, we receive food rations. In our community both men and women work. We help the widows and the elderly through the community work projects.”

Aside from projects, FHI is involved in other aspects of Norberto’s life.

“FHI has given us clothes and school supplies for our children. They have provided some medicines and teach us how to read and study the Bible. We have training courses. With the passing of time, [our church] has advanced much more thanks to our increasing understanding of the Word of God and above all, knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In my case, I am learning more about God’s Word and am very content with the new things we are learning which helps us to see things in a new way.”

The community is taking over maintenance of the road with the help of the local government.

“Our fellow community members are happy with the constructed projects and we are organizing to be able to keep up the maintenance this year. Every year we will meet with the entire community to name those who will be responsible for the roads services: the magistrate, the community leader, and the mayor, people who will care for the development of the community.”

Through the improvement of the road, the average income levels in Antacawa have risen significantly. FHI continues its work in the community to see God’s vision for the community realized.

“One thing that FHI has taught us is that we all must help everyone in the community so that our children have a better life and won’t have to suffer like we have.”