How did you decide to go to Bolivia to volunteer?
Looking around, by chance, I found Bolivia! They told me that there was a hydroelectric plant lost in the hills and this encouraged me to come. I came for a project that involved the automation of a water inlet gate of the Kami Hydroelectric plant. The task was completed in a month of work. Then, one of the biggest surprises was when Fr Serafino and Fr Miguel Ángel let me taste a plate of Serrano ham, coming from their production plant. And I realized that I could contribute not only with hydropower, but also with the production of hams.
You went from the automation of a hydro dam gate to the promotion of ham in one of the most important Bolivian supermarket chains: how did you deal with this new lifestyle?
I'm an industrial engineer, but the branch that I like most is production. Then, when I saw the opportunity to work in the food sector, with the hams and the production of sausages, I said to myself: here I can contribute with my knowledge. So we did a market study, a cost study and from there the numbers were positive. They gave the guarantee that the project could work. It was impossible to imagine that in my last week in Bolivia I'd see the products for sale in the "Hipermaxi" supermarket.
What will remain of Bolivia in you?
When people thanked me for the work I did, honestly, I did not think I was someone who deserved so much recognition. People thanked me with simple words and gestures. This is undoubtedly an impression that has remained etched in my heart forever.
Some final message?
I would like to thank Fathers Serafino, Miguel Ángel, Orlando and Álvaro, for being the living example of the Church I want to be part of.
