Juan Carlos Choque Saavedra Carlitos,” 13 years old

With Performing Life since March 2006

Birth date: March 9, 1994

“ The project has helped me to make money and save to buy things that I need. My savings helped me to pay the hospital bills when my father was sick. Before I was involved with Performing Life, I just wanted to be a little street kid and juggle, but now I think that I can’t juggle in the street all my life to make money. That’s why I want to study - so I can make money in the future and be successful.”

Carlitos’ mother died some time ago, after which he lived alone with his father and brother. His father is an abusive alcoholic. He was not able to stand the conditions and left to live in a youth home. Eventually, he ended up living in the city of Quillacollo, some 13 kilometers to the west of Cochabamba. He commutes two hours round trip everyday to work in Cochabamba.

Recently, he was adopted by an older married couple who teach in an institution that helps kids get a better education. Since moving in with these people, Carlitos has been doing well, and is much happier. He doesn’t need to worry about day to day needs anymore, so he saves earnings for things he needs like school uniforms, books, supplies, etc.

Carlitos works juggling on the streets of Cochabamba. He is an amazingly skilled juggler and can put on a show that is unbeatable. He had a hard time the last year and a half because he was constantly changing living situations. However, he has pulled through and is doing really well with his adopted family. He now has a great deal of self confidence, which is apparent when you see him in classes learning new tricks and helping the other kids.

He often brings friends from Quillacollo to the project to practice. He has changed a lot since he started with Performing Life, and is now more openly caring for his classmates and the people around him. He still can be a bit of a pain sometimes, but that is expected of any 13 year old boy. He has truly dedicated himself to making bracelets, and his mastery is apparent in his work.

He has been a big help with teaching the rest of the kids new patterns and new bracelet styles. As for his future, he seems to know exactly what he wants to do and is doing all he can to get there. He is such a bright young kid, always wearing a smile and ready to chat about anything. He seems to have a lot of hope right now for the future, and with the help of the bracelet program he will be able to save money to invest for his future.