A native of Santo Stefano Roero, in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont, Fr Chiesa was born into a family of 10 children. He arrived in Bolivia in the mid-80s, and met one of the poorest populations of the world, a new, large family, with which, 24 years ago, he decided to share his dream. This typically Salesian dream planned a future rebirth, autonomy and development for more than 100 campesino communities. Fr Chiesa started the construction of a hydroelectric plant, with the objective of creating a development engine for thousands of poor farmers and miners, taking advantage of a local resource: the water of the river Ayopara.
The first phase was completed in 2007. Now the third and final phase of the project must be completed. The plant will lead to the electrification of the whole region and beyond. Excess power will be sold to the state-national entity and the proceeds used to support all the activities of the mission - the hostel, farming, road maintenance and radio communications which are important in this inaccessible area.
