by Kerri Muir, Short Term Associate from Australia
20 July 2006
Sucre, a Bolivian city high in the Andes Mountains, has one of the highest rates of abortion in South America. Here in this university town thronging with students, you will find El Alfarero Student Center. This student café and ministry center is a place of hope for students like "Emilia," a resident in the new Albergue ("Shelter") crisis pregnancy refuge home.

	The "Alberguesas," residents of the Albergue, author Kerri Muir on far right

Completely Alone

Emilia is a 22-year-old law student from a poor, rural Quechua village. At age six, she moved to Sucre to live with extended family so she could go to school. After college, she lived alone and worked as a house-maid and nanny, scratching out just enough money to go to law school.

Everything fell apart when she became pregnant. Work became too difficult, and she had to quit her job. Her pregnancy put a strain on already distant relationships with her family. Her parents were saddened and unable to help. Her older sister and the father of her child were pressuring her to abort,and cut off contact with her when she refused. "I was completely alone," she says.

A Place of Refuge and Support

In April, Emilia arrived at El Alfarero eight months pregnant, destitute, and scared. Being the first to enter Albergue, the crisis pregnancy refuge home, she was initially living with two "gringas" (foreigners)—myself from Australia and another short-termer from England. Emilia has been given a room and food. Her obligations are to help each night in the café kitchen and to attend pre- and post-natal classes, parenting classes, a weekly counseling appointment, and a short daily Bible study. Since Emilia moved in, Albergue has welcomed three other girls in similar situations.

"I think God has brought me here, to help me and to enable me to get to know Him better."

	Working in the student cafe.

We've witnessed a birth and a rebirth since Emilia arrived. Beautiful baby "Carlos" was born on 27 April, and in May, Emilia prayed to confirm her faith in God and to commit her life to following Jesus. Emilia loves being a mum, and she is growing in her new faith in Christ.

Hope for the Future

There are still difficult times ahead, but with prayer and support, Emilia has secured a job with another family. She is also making and selling yogurt as part of the Albergue's initiative to train and set-up the girls in a small business. Relationships with her family are improving as well. Her parents visit and bring potatoes and maize that they have grown, and she is on civil terms with her sister and Carlos' father.

Emilia has become confident, friendly, and chatty—a growing Christian with eagerness to know and live the Word of God. She says, "Alfarero has helped me a lot economically." I didn't have enough money to eat. And it's different here compared to outside—the people here are all great people that really care. I think God has brought me here, to help me and to enable me to get to know Him better."