Bolivian Mission - Pen Making Project

Several years ago I thought the boys in the foster home would enjoy making something that was uniquely Bolivian that they could sell to augment their educational fund. I have always believed the story about teaching a man to fish is better than giving him a fish. We have a carpentry shop at the foster home, which I hope will someday support the home so our mission can move on to other projects and there are a lot of small pieces of scrap wood that is thrown away. Mahogany is basically the scrub wood in the tropics. The really fine woods are guaycan, tajibo and morado. These are really heavy woods and beautiful. I brought a mini-lathe and the pen making kits. The first day the boys and I went to the scrap woodpile and salvaged many suitable pieces of wood from which we made corkscrews and pens. The corkscrews are the easiest and quickest to make; therefore we started with them. One of the best moments in my mission life was during the dedication of the new foster home for the older boys. Freddy, who was once our most wayward young man, was making corkscrews. As soon as he would finish one, one of the visitors bought it. In an hour, he sold three for more money than most Bolivians make in a month. He really needed a dose of self-esteem and this day provided a very big dose of that. Most of the older boys are quite good at making pens, letter openers and corkscrews and they teach the younger boys. Even the smallest can help with the sanding. Eventually the boys might choose to become a carpenter or at least, continue to turn projects as a hobby.

Pens can be purchased from this website. They are $25 each and they all use a Cross refill. They are available in different woods including guaycan, tajibo, morado, purple heart and others. Please specify if you want a light colored wood or a dark wood. Morado is the richest dark brown while guaycan is light to dark, but mostly honey colored to a greenish brown (all from the same tree). Tajibo is multicolored with dark streaks of purple or brown. Purple heart is a dark reddish purple.

These pens will be a keepsake for many years and make great stocking stuffers and graduation presents.

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