Bolivia: Claudio Kuarasi

Claudio Kuarasi, the first captain of a Guarani village called Pananti, spoke of the help that his community has received from the Center of Regional Studies for Development of Tarija (CER-DET), a Church World Service partner. “CER-DET is the first ally we ever had,” he said. “They opened our eyes.”

He referred to a time only a few years ago when CER-DET began meeting with him and his neighbors, living on land at the margins, bordering large haciendas in the Chaco region of Bolivia. CER-DET informed these indigenous peoples of their legal rights under Bolivian law. It told of the process by which they might register their community with the government, become eligible for government services, and claim title to the land where they have lived.

Wealthy landowners had employed workers from this community at wages near servitude for many years. The patrons kept the workers dependent on them for everything. Under the patron, half of everything the workers had and produced belonged to the patron. The second captain of the community, Desu, explained what “half” meant; half of every pig belonged to the patron, rather than every other pig. The workers were afraid to challenge the owners. They had little self-esteem.

CER-DET’s guidance in legal rights and land claims forms the foundation of its work with the indigenous peoples of the Chaco. The staff begins its relationship with a community with discussions about legal issues. The conversations and teaching may take several years, during which time trust is built.

An early step in helping the people with their land claim is helping them to organize their community. The Assembly of Guarani Peoples provides a recommended structure. The people select first and second captains for the community, and the women select their own leaders. Then the community selects individuals to serve as “promoters” for areas of their common life. There is a promoter for education, health, infrastructure, and the like. This organization parallels the structure of government ministries as well as that of the Assembly. Promoters receive training for their areas of responsibilities.

Alipio Valdez, CER-DET Coordinator, and Guido Cortez, CER-DET Executive Director.

Photo: David Allen

Making a land claim includes a requirement that a community demonstrate that it is improving the land and using it productively. As the communities explore ways to become more productive, they turn to the staff of CER-DET for help in inventorying their assets and potential. It is at this point that communities begin to take ownership of their future, by deciding their next steps, seeking training, and working toward their goal.

In Pananti, the people began a community garden and started growing corn and peanuts. They have begun building a community center. At Suarurito, another Chaco community, CER-DET is working with cattle-growers in fencing off areas to grow feed grasses and graze cattle. It has become a demonstration of better land management, using less land per animal and raising healthier cattle.

The people of Pananti still are seeking title to the land where they live and farm. They have made progress. A few years ago they sought to become incorporated as a community under the law, a process that involves registering with the local government and receiving a number. The government denied their first request to be registered. Some officials who own land in the area did not want to legitimize their presence in the area.

Claudio and several Pananti residents joined in a sit-in protest at the city council building in Yacuiba. They lived in the building for nine days, along with 300 other people from communities seeking recognition. Finally the council granted their registration. Now their community has a right to government services available to other residents of the region.

CER-DET works with 8,000 people of the Chaco region. Since 1989 CER-DET has helped communities reclaim 109,000 hectares (or 420 square miles). The reclaimed land is half of what it seeks to reclaim.

Church World Service has supported the legal work of CER-DET since 1999. CWS Tools and Blanket funds provided tents and bedding to communities in the Yacuiba area, including Pananti, before they secured their legal rights to build better housing.

CWS will continue to support CER-DET and these communities through the four-year, five-agency, and three-country Chaco Initiative.