Jaime Teran from Cochabamba, Bolivia volunteers his time and talents for a group called Movement Smile. This group of young volunteers organizes activities that help lift the spirits of patients, especially children, in his city’s hospital.

What kind of philanthropy did you participate in?

Jaime: I’m a Movement Smile member. It’s a young volunteer group, with about 20-25 members. All of us are students.  We’re around 20 active members here. And we’re planning to grow! We work at the city’s hospital, especially with the children. We do two kinds of work there:  First, we spend time with the children, painting, drawing and playing a lot! The second part of our work is to get money to pay for the medicines and bills. For this, we’re constantly organizing  activities, like shows, movies, etc... It´s a hard work, but I love it!

Where did you get the idea to get involved?

Jaime: Well, one day I thought that I lived in a "fish tank," I mean, taking care only of my needs, and outside, there are so many people, children especially, that need more than me! Fortunately, I knew some friends with similar conclusions, so we said... let´s work!

Where were you working?

Jaime: We’re working at the city’s hospital, named "Viedma" hospital, with the children and sometimes with the adults section, too.

What was the best thing about your experience with philanthropy?

Jaime: Most of the people in the hospital are depressed, especially when they don’t have the money to pay for their treatments.  When you go there and make a bit of a difference, for example contacting with a family, this little thing encourages the patients and probably they’ll want to be cured as soon as possible.

What was the hardest part of your project?

Jaime: In my country, according to the latest census, 2/3 of the people live in extreme poverty, so, most of the people in the hospital can’t pay for the drugs and bills to be cured.  Getting money, that’s the hardest part of our work, but, it’s not impossible, I’m sure.

What would you say to someone else who is thinking of getting involved with some kind of philanthropy?

Jaime: Let’s do it! Each person can make the difference in other lives, and it’s in a personal way, not similar to all, You need only close your eyes...try to feel, to see the another person... and to do something...

How have you changed as a result of your experience participating in philanthropy?

Jaime: Really, I don’t know who’s benefited the most... The children? or me? Those kids have changed my life.  Nowadays, I keep trying “to love my neighbor as myself.”