IN STEREO

When there is a ‘beta’ [mineral vein] – a good one – there is happiness. We ch’alla inside [the mine], we celebrate, we dance. We arrive home happy, having money. When you have work, you have money. You work, you have staff, and with them you feel even more proud. We also go through sad moments; I have gone through them. [Working] for the state, whether you won out or not, you had a month's salary. But the cooperatives do not work like that. You have to look for a place. You have to find it and you have to know how to orient yourself well: where is my vein? So when there is no place – no work – what are you going to do? You don’t even bring home a cent per week. How will your family eat? When there is no place, you can’t get through the entire week. Because it’s a weekly thing. Sometimes there is no mineral and you don’t go in.

If you don’t get mineral, what’s the point of going in that week? You [might] get 50 or 100 bolivianos [US$7-14]. What are you going to do for your children? The woman says, “Where is the money?” And if there is no money, “What are we going to do, what are we going to eat?” That is how poverty comes. Either way, we have to get through it: borrowing, whatever. The next day, you have to earn something, or again, what are you going to do? You have to work elsewhere, as there’s nothing for food. If there is no [mineral], you have to leave that place. You have to look elsewhere, or you have to incorporate with other groups. Or if you don’t have anything, you have to beg for a place. Saying “Please?” is sad too. There is disease and mine sickness – but the worst sadness is when there is no place. – Don Lazario