Last edited 4 Oct 07

These cards are individually hand-painted by disabled artists from CEOLI, a Center for  Educational and Vocational Preparation for the disabled in Cochabamba, Bolivia.  A short biography of the individuals currently involved in card production follows.

Daniela Zambrana

Daniela Zambrana is the art teacher who makes the CEOLI card program possible, through teaching and encouraging these handicapped artists.  She has worked at CEOLI since 1999, and began the program as an occupational therapy exercise, but within a few years, it grew to a unique earnings opportunity.

In addition to teaching art and working with the CEOLI artists, Daniela does oil painting and ceramics.  She is also a Professor of Literature at a local university, and the mother of a baby daughter named Ibeth.  Her long term goals are to improve as an artist and in her career.

 Daniela asks that you buy these cards for their quality and beauty.  She also thanks you for your purchase, and for providing these young artists with both the hope and the means for a better life. 

Maria Luz Arias

She was born in Cochabamba, the second of five brothers and sisters.  Her family now Maria Luz Arias, 30ish, is one of the painters of these beautiful cards.  lives in the tropical lowlands of Bolivia, while Maria Luz stays in a group home with a number of other disabled young women.  In addition to the CEOLI cards, she is studying painting to improve and broaden her art skills.

 Maria Luz became a quadriplegic in a car accident that killed her husband and daughter.  She has many health problems, and relies on her income from CEOLI cards to purchase medicine and treatments.  She gives special thanks to all those who buy these cards, and who therefore help her to be more self-sufficient.

Alfredo Baldelomar

Alfredo Baldelomar is one of the young artists who has painted for several years.  Alfredo was born in Cochabamba, but lived in Argentina in his teens and 20s before returning to Cochabamba in 2003.  Alfredo is a quadriplegic and lives in a group home.  He has few family members left in Bolivia, and two of his brothers have left the country to find work elsewhere.

Alfredo has always liked art, even in high school.  When he is not painting CEOLI cards, he likes to do pencil drawings, primarily of people, and also likes to read.  He hopes one day to expand his artistic skills to the painting of ceramics.

Paul Torrez Barrientos

Paul Torrez Barrientos is one of the painters in training.  He is 20ish and was born in Cochabamba.  During the week he lives with an older brother and sister, so he can attend CEOLI.  On the weekends he stays with his father and stepmother.  Paul is developmentally disabled, has some hearing loss, and cerebral palsy, affecting all 4 limbs and his speech.

Paul loves soccer, and plays goalie on CEOLI’s soccer team.  He is an ardent fan of the professional Wilsterman soccer team in Cochabamba.  Paul’s teachers at CEOLI describe him as a responsible and eager student, with a good work ethic.  He has a contagious enthusiasm about everything he does.

Limber Castro

Limber Castro, in his mid 20s, was born in Trinidad, Bolivia, in the hot and tropical lowlands.  He has 6 brothers and sisters, and moved to Cochabamba when he was 8 years old.  Limber became a quadriplegic in a diving accident in his early teens.  He graduated from high school in December of 2005, and has begun studying law at the University of San Simon.  In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music, writing and studying.

Limber has been painting cards at CEOLI for several years and holds the paint brush in his mouth because he has little use of his hands and arms.

Ariel Castellon Corrales

Ariel Castellon Corrales is one of the painters in training for 2008.  He was born in Cochabamba and lives in the city with his parents and 4 sisters.  He is the oldest sibling.  Ariel is developmentally disabled, and has a seizure disorder.  He has a limited amount of formal schooling.  At CEOLI he has learned basic social skills, basic math, and vocational preparation skills.

Ariel has loved drawing and painting since he was very young.  For 2 years, he trained and practiced painting under the guidance of the art supervisor to become a CEOLI artist.  His dream is to learn more and improve his art skills.

Marcelo Lavayen

Marcelo Lavayen is another of the painters in training.  He is in his mid 20s and was born in Cochabamba.  He lives in a small community just outside of Cochabamba with his mother and 3 brothers and sisters.  Marcelo is developmentally disabled, and is partially paralyzed on his left side.

Marcelo has always loved to paint, but received no training until he came to CEOLI.  In his free time, besides painting and drawing, he is passionate about music, and some day hopes to purchase a good amplifier.

Javier Chuquimia Mamani

Javier Chuquimia Mamani packs these beautiful cards into the plastic slip cover.  He is in his late teens and was born in La Paz, Bolivia.  He is developmentally disabled, and lives in a group home in Cochabamba.  He has been attending CEOLI for several years, learning basic social and work skills, and money handling.

Javier loves sports, and plays on CEOLI’s soccer team.  He also loves music and dance.  His teachers describe him as a hard worker and very responsible.  Javier says “believe in us... even though we have disabilities, we can be creative and productive, and proud of our work and accomplishments.”

Jorge Sandro Peredo

Jorge Sandro Peredo is one of the experienced painters of these cards.  He is married, and has a young son and baby daughter.   The tenth of eleven children, he received a university degree in agronomy, and worked as an agronomist until several years ago when a car accident rendered him quadriplegic.

Jorge’s goal is to support his family by painting these cards, and ensure that his son and baby daughter receive a good education.  He would like them to have the opportunity to become professionals.  Jorge’s other goal is to find a way to someday help others, especially the poor.  He hopes that one day soon, the world will live in peace.

Ramon Pantoja Perez

Ramon Pantoja Perez is also a  painter in training.  In his early 20s, he was born in Trinidad, in the tropical lowlands of Bolivia.  After an accident in his mid teens that left him quadriplegic, he came to live in a group home in Cochabamba. 

Ramon hopes to complete his high school education, if he can some day arrange transportation to the high school.  He has four more years of study to complete high school.  Even before his accident, he loved to draw.  His hobbies are playing cards and listening to music. 

German Quispe

German Quispe is 30ish and is one of the most prolific painters.  He was born in Cochabamba, one of 6 brothers and sisters.  German is a quadriplegic who supports himself and his son Johnathan through the income from the sale of these cards.

German has a 3^rd grade education..  In addition to painting, he also enjoys cooking and doing various chores in his home.  German learned about the card-painting program when a friend took him to CEOLI for physical therapy.  He asked to join the program in 2003, and learned to paint under the guidance of CEOLI’s art teacher. 

Juan Pablo Escobar Teran

Juan Pablo Escobar Teran is one of the painters in training.  He was born in Cochabamba, and lives in the city with his mother and 2 brothers.  He also has 6 older brothers and sisters who are no longer living at home.  Juan Pablo is developmentally disabled and has not received much formal schooling.  At CEOLI, however, he has been learning social and behavioral skills, how to handle money, and basic responsibilities.  He began training to be a CEOLI artist in 2007. 

Juan Pablo has always loved drawing and painting.  He is excited to be a CEOLI artist and hopes to someday teach painting to others.