Lomerio: Living in the forest and exploring the daily struggle for water
By Eliana Galarza (Master students exchange programme, cohort of 2024-2025)
After several weeks of fieldwork, I’ve begun to understand more deeply the relationship between water, land, and life in the communities of the Chiquitano forest, a region that serves as a transition toward the Amazon. Here, access to water is not just a resource; it’s a daily struggle for survival.
My Arrival in Salinas: Lush nature and extreme challenges
My first stop was the community of Salinas, a place surrounded by wetlands that, at first glance, seems to overflow with life. The number of mosquitoes and insects is overwhelming, but that same natural richness is reflected in the biodiversity: colorful birds fly everywhere, and occasionally you can spot wild boars and venomous snakes, reminding you that we are in a wild and unique environment.
The day I arrived at my student room, the heat reached 37°C. It was like sleeping in a sauna, with no ventilation and humidity enveloping everything. But, as always, the body adapts, and you learn to find small moments of relief, like sitting under the shade of a tree when a cool breeze runs through.
A Warm Welcome
The next day, I was welcomed by the leaders and community members in a communal meeting. Despite the formality of the meeting, what struck me most was the warmth and openness with which they received me. They explained how, despite being surrounded by surface water, the quality of the resource is a critical issue. Manual pumps, drilled wells, and rainwater harvesting strategies are insufficient to guarantee supply during the dry season.
Lessons from the birds and productive mornings
Since arriving in Lomerio, I’ve learned to be an early bird like the thousands of parrots that start singing from 4:00 a.m. here. Waking up early isn’t optional—it’s a way of life. I’ve discovered that 6:00 a.m. is the perfect time to meet with the older adults, who are already heading to their chacos (fields), where they work the land or check on their crops. These early productive mornings have allowed me to listen to their stories, understand their challenges, and appreciate even more the connection they have with the land.
Water: A scarce resource in an abundant ecosystem
In Salinas, the contrast is evident: while the wild biodiversity flourishes, the available water resources for the community are increasingly limited. Many people rely on wells, but the quality of the water is not always suitable for human consumption. During the dry season, the situation becomes even more desperate, and families face diseases like diarrhea and skin allergies that, although they suspect are caused by the water, cannot be confirmed due to the lack of access to healthcare and laboratories.
Despite these challenges, life goes on. Women cook with the little water they get, even when it is murky when there’s no other option, and men work on the large nearby haciendas, while the youth dream of leaving the community in search of a better life.
Everyday moments and unexpected lessons
One of the most fascinating aspects of this experience has been living with the community and immersing myself in their culture. I’ve learned to appreciate the mornings full of life, with birds singing and the sun shining through the trees. I’ve also developed a special patience for dealing with insects, which seem to be everywhere.
Fieldwork can be exhausting, but the moments of human connection make it all worth it. Conversations with the elderly, jokes with the youth, and the dedication of women in their daily work have taught me lessons that go beyond my research.
Reflections from the field
Being in Lomerio is a constant reminder of the inequalities faced by rural communities in Bolivia and the immense effort it takes to simply live here. Despite the hardships, there is a strength and resilience in these people that is inspiring.
This stage of my life is not only helping me collect data for my thesis; it is also transforming me as a person. In each interaction, in each story, I find a reason to keep moving forward and to contribute, even in a small way, to making their struggles and realities visible.
Meanwhile, I continue to cope with the heat, mosquitoes, and long walks, but I also enjoy the beauty of the surroundings, the spectacular sunsets, and the opportunity to learn in a way I never imagined.
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