After many years of crowding into the back of an old Jeep or minivan, the children of the Villa now have a bus that can comfortably seat all of the students who go to school in the morning and afternoon. It long has been a dream for the children to have an adequate vehicle to transport them to school each day. In the past, they would line up early in the morning or after lunch to get seats and avoid the discomfort of sitting in someone’s lap, standing hunched over, or even riding in the trunk space. It used to be a daily challenge to see who arrived first, prompting children to rush to finish breakfast or lunch and claim their spot in line outside the Villa office. Vladimir, the kind and jovial Villa driver, had the formidable task of respecting line order while maximizing limited space (not to mention constantly repairing these vehicles). Watching more than 20 children with their backpacks cram into the back of the Jeep resembled a circus performance, where it seemed improbable that they all could fit. Sometimes after lunch, I would marvel as the scene unfolded, and the few lucky children on that day got to ride in the front seat.
Through the continued generosity of Amistad friends, these complications no longer exist. The Villa’s Toyota Coaster turbo-engine bus provides ample room for all (with an overhead storage compartment as well). Although not brand new, because Bolivian import taxes on automobiles are absurdly high, the bus is in very good condition and should serve the Villa for many years. When the bus arrived last week, children rushed to board for its maiden voyage. The well-maintained upholstery on the seats and extensive legroom were immediately noticeable. While these small luxuries may not seem that impressive, they certainly stand out to those who have ridden hundreds of worn and cramped buses in the Cochabamba public transportation system. The children were eager to take their first ride in the bus, and we circled around the Villa honking the horn with Latin pop booming through the speakers. When we descended the dirt road and turned on to the paved road leading up the hill, 
The joy ride lasted for a while longer before we headed back to the Villa. When we arrived, the children hopped off eagerly and went to brag to their mamás and brothers and sisters about the new bus. I asked Vladimir if he planned to name it, and he said that nothing came to mind. “What about Bus Wilstermann (the popular Cochabamba soccer team with the same colors) or Superbus?” He laughed at these admittedly poor suggestions. Names can wait.
This week, it has been interesting to see how the afternoon routine has changed. Instead of arguing about who arrived first, children have been occupying their time sitting and playing on the office steps. They teach each other tricks or show off new trinkets. And when Tío Vladi arrives, there is no pushing or jockeying to be first to board. The children calmly wait for the morning students to get off, and then head to any available seat. In fact, the children love the new bus so much that it is hard to get the afternoon students to leave when they arrive in the late evening. Before locking it up for the evening,
