Sept. 13, 2010 issue
Bolivians confront addictions, abuse
By Gladys Terichow Mennonite Central CommitteeCHIHUAHUA COLONY, Bolivia — As a criminal investigation continues into allegations of gang rape in some Mennonite colonies in Bolivia, many local congregations see a need to reach out to people dealing with addictions, sexual abuse and violence against women.
“When the doors open, people will come,” says Klaus Rempel, who represents the Chihuahua Colony on a planning committee to develop a rehabilitation center that will provide addiction treatment services for men. — Photo by Silas Crews/MCC
A shelter for women opened in April, and 18 acres of land is being purchased for a rehabilitation center that will offer addiction treatment programs for men seeking freedom from alcohol and drug addictions. Both facilities are located near Pailon, 37 miles east of Santa Cruz.
Mennonite Central Committee Bolivia is working with Mennonite churches that are developing the rehabilitation center and providing a safe environment for women.
“Churches can look at this in two ways — churches can’t do anything and churches can do a lot,” said Klaus Rempel, who represents the Chihuahua Colony on a seven-member planning committee to develop a 20-bed rehabilitation centre.
The Chihuahua Colony, 87 miles northeast of Santa Cruz, is a community of about 160 families who have left the Old Colony Mennonite church.
Construction on the rehabilitation centre will begin as soon as land transactions are completed.
“When the doors open, people will come. I’ve been getting lots of phone calls about when we will open,” said Rempel, a founding member of MCC Canada’s Low German Mennonite Advisory Committee in 2004. He served on the committee until 2010.
MCC has been working with Low German Mennonite communities since the 1950s and has programs in Bolivia, Mexico and Canada.
MCC’s goal is to enhance the ability of Low German Mennonite communities to address the major issues of literacy, healthy families, substance abuse, environmental concerns, conflict resolution and spiritual renewal.
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