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Mennonite Colony Agriculture Worker

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All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active church membership; and nonviolent peacemaking.

MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Mennonite Colony Agriculture Worker in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Term: 
3 years
Date Opened: 
April 17, 2009
Date Required: 
Available Now

 

Synopsis: 

One of MCC Bolivia’s programs, the Low-German Mennonite (LGM) program, provides services to Low-German speaking Mennonites who live in colonies in rural areas around Santa Cruz. The agriculture worker joins the LGM team in providing a variety of agriculture-related services to this population.

 

Qualifications: 
  • Agriculture degree or farming experience, preferably in both crop and animal husbandry, preferred.
  • Knowledge, interest and/or training in agroforestry and fruit trees is an asset.
  • Interest in land issues and willingness to learn about updated laws on land reforms and write informative articles for the German periodical (Menno Bote) produced by Centro Menno.
  • Background in Christian ministry or church work an asset.
  • Fluency or willingness to learn Low German and Spanish required. Fluency in German an asset. Fluency in English helpful.
  • Knowledge and understanding of Colony Mennonites an asset. Must have an interest in learning to relate to the Colony Mennonites, being sensitive to their beliefs and traditions.
  • Interest and ability to write articles for the Menno Bote, a German language newspaper published by the LGM team.
  • Ability to drive a four-wheel drive vehicle over rough rural roads.
  • Willingness to assist in the day-to-day staffing of the drop-in center.
  • Willingness to work as part of the LGM team consisting of 5 to 7 people.
  • Willingness to actively participate in the broader MCC program within Bolivia.

 

Assignment Description: 

At present there are approximately 50,000 German-speaking Mennonites living in about 54 colonies in Bolivia. Most colonies are located within 150 kilometers of Santa Cruz, with a few as far away as 12 hours. Road connections are being improved, but in many locations are very rough, dusty, and difficult. Approximately 70 percent of the colonies are of Old Colony background and very conservative. Well over 90 percent make their living from agriculture.

In an effort to maintain a simple and responsible lifestyle according to their understanding of scripture, the use of radios, tape players, motor vehicles, rubber tires on tractors, etc. are often prohibited and are seen as unnecessary for a fulfilled family and community life. The community tends to isolate itself from what it calls the “world,” and does so not only in its spiritual life but also in a physical way, strictly adhering to rules to preserve community boundaries. Their understanding of unity is that community/church members have the same beliefs and customs which define them as a distinctive group. To change a custom can be enough to cause disunity.

Because children are being prepared for life on the farm, they learn many skills by helping their parents on a daily basis. As a result, there is less emphasis placed on formal education. Colonies usually offer six years of formal education for girls and seven years for boys.

Taking this situation into account, the Mission Statement of the Mennonite work reads as follows:

MCC Bolivia's work with the Low German speaking Mennonite colonies and their members is designed, within a mutually beneficial relationship, to sensitively encourage and assist them: (1) in struggling for physical, mental and spiritual well being, (2) in developing their long-term economic viability, (3) in increasing levels of education, (3) in strengthening their understanding of community, (4) in applying scriptural truths and values in compassionate and loving ways, and (5) in developing a concrete and mature relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Low-German Mennonite (LGM) staff members are ambassadors representing the larger Mennonite community. At present there are staff from Germany, Zimbabwe, Paraguay, Canada, and the United States. In light of the Mission Statement, the program plan for the colony Mennonite work includes various assumptions that guide the work, including the following:

In order to impact positively upon the colonies and their members, one will need to gain a compassionate understanding of Old Colony Mennonite history and their cultural system as well as gain the confidence of the colony and church leaders and their people.

Long-lasting solutions to the problems facing these colonies will be most effectively achieved by working within their communities and developing positive, trusting relationships. Patience and humility are keys to this work.

LGM staff members will allow themselves to be challenged by the colony Mennonites and cultivate relationships that are mutually beneficial, involving relationships that respect the points of view, aspirations, and beliefs of the other.

A significant service provided by the LGM program is Centro Menno, a drop-in center located in Santa Cruz. Services offered at the center include Canadian documentation work, library services, sale of Christian literature and music, distribution of German language publications, and a place to rest and visit. The LGM team produces a German-language publication, Menno Bote, with a circulation of approximately 2300 issues per month.

 

Duties: 

General Team Duties/Church Involvement

  • Spend time in the reception area of Centro Menno visiting with people.
  • Make visits to the colonies and when possible dialogue about social, economic, legal and spiritual topics.
  • Contribute articles to the Menno Bote.
  • Participate in team meetings.
  • Assist with administration if required (i.e. bookkeeping, inventory control).
  • Assist in the library if required.
  • Participate in the life of a local congregation.

Specific Agricultural Duties

  • Develop positive relationships with colony members, being open to learn from them.
  • Listen to Colony Mennonite farmers to better understand their experience and goals.
  • Dialogue with farmers about farm issues, practices, livestock, alternate crops, trees etc.
  • Work toward developing experimental observation areas where producers can see for themselves how alternate crops, pastures, techniques, etc. can benefit them.
  • Write informative and monthly agriculture articles for the Menno Bote.
  • Network with various agricultural institutions such as Anapo and related businesses.
  • Promote connections with local, regional and national government authorities and the colonists.
  • Make weekly trips to the colonies to establish relationships with producers and to become familiar with farming methods used in Bolivia.
  • Provide relevant and understandable resources for the farmers.
  • Spend one or two days a week in the reception area to be available to visit with farmers and others who come to Centro Menno.
  • Work with farmers to upgrade cattle quality, increase milk production, and improve management techniques.
  • Be a support and resource to field workers living and working in Charagua whose emphasis is on water projects in the Charagua region.
  • Investigate marketing opportunities for products, as well as develop ideas for new products which could become alternative sources of income for producers.

 

Location Description: 

Santa Cruz is located in the tropical lowlands of Bolivia. Most of the year is hot and humid, but south winds and rains during the winter months can bring temperatures down into the 50s F (10-15 C). Although Santa Cruz has a 400-year history, it has developed as a growing metropolis only in recent years. As a dynamic economic and cultural center of just over one million persons, Santa Cruz is said to be one of the fastest growing cities in South America, attracting settlers from the Bolivian Andean regions as well as from around the world. Although the fast growth has been managed well, it does stress the infrastructure. The city has the feel of “industry and energy” but also is characterized by its rural, small town look. Even in the downtown areas many buildings are one or two stories, although this is rapidly changing with ever present signs of reconstruction.

The city of Santa Cruz is the administrative capital of the department of Santa Cruz (similar to a state or province). It is the center for the oil and gas industry as well as the agriculture center of the eastern half of the country. It has an international airport as well as bus and railroad links to other parts of Bolivia and South America. Travel within the city of Santa Cruz is predominately by public micros (small buses). Taxis are also available at affordable rates. MCC owns several vehicles that can be reserved for program and personal use.

The city and surrounding area offers plenty to do and see including: a zoo, parks, outdoor markets, museums, performing arts centers, movie theaters, soccer action, Inca ruins, swimming pools, rivers, waterfalls, and plenty of ice cream! The more traditional foods in the Santa Cruz region include a variety of soups, and meat with rice and potatoes. Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables are available year round. Numerous public and private schools using a variety of teaching methods and languages are available. Many good hospitals and clinics are located within the city area.

The MCC office is located near the city center of Santa Cruz and includes a main office, living and guest rooms, library, basketball and volleyball court, and garage facilities. MCC Bolivia includes approximately 25 international and 25 national workers.

Bolivia is officially a Spanish-speaking country, though many people also speak an indigenous language such as Quechua. All MCC workers are expected to know or learn Spanish.

 

Challenges: 

(1) Learning to live happily in two new cultures--Bolivia Spanish culture and the Low German speaking Mennonite culture--which can be emotionally wearing at times. (2) Not always feeling the assurance that MCC's relationships and the program efforts are contributing to improvements in the beneficiaries’ quality of life. (3) Building relationships with colony Mennonites who often do not understand MCC’s mission or who feel threatened by MCC. (4) Coping with long trips on rough roads between Santa Cruz and the colonies.