The Etalia Project

Nicol is paceña, or native to La Paz, and proud to be so. She brings color to the Casa Bonita hostel with a humbly bright disposition that must warm even the heart of the freakishly realistic manikin that occupies the common room. I first encountered her with her daughter, playing patiently in between aiding the wandering backpackers. They spent hours in that room together, their smiles ceaseless and giggles unrelenting, finding wonder in the ordinary of Nicol’s place of work. 

You wouldn’t know it upon meeting her, as her instinct is the reassurance of others rather than the portrayal of herself, but an ocean of depth resides within Nicol. She was only 19 when she found herself pregnant, then 20 as a single mother, but never for a second even considered pausing her continued study of law. Balancing a newborn with a vigorous curriculum was only intensified with an acute experience of postpartum depression to which professional help was not to be found in La Paz. Harder still, was her inability to afford the final purchase of her law degree, even after completing all four years of requirements and passing all necessary exams.

But Nicol shared this part of her story not as a victim, but as a true braveheart, with the wisdom splayed across her gentle smile that only a true warrior can muster after the storm. Now working any job she can fit into her life to save the necessary costs for her degree, she remains steady in pursuit regardless of the obstacles she faces in an impoverished country as a devoted single mother.

“Quiero que llegue incluso mejor que yo, en todo sentido,” she told me, her brow furrowed in determination.

Soon, she will be the first in her entire lineage to have a university degree and professional career, and the achievement will not only be the realization of her dream coming true, but a future stepping stone for her daughter that will land her further still. It was for her that Nicol found her own way through the darkness of her mind in postpartum, and has discovered ways of eluding it in the future: mainly, kindness to others.

“El mal es una enfermedad, se propaga, crea vacío en el interior. Pero la bondad también es contagiosa y puede llenar el agujero,” she explained. 

Upon securing her position as a lawyer, Nicol wants to spend her days helping those in need to leave a mark in opposition to the injustices found in her country. Her wish for the world would be for no one to suffer or want for anything, be it physical essentials like food, but also, love, understanding, and affection. For these are what she believes to form each one of us and are therefore of the utmost importance in securing a better world.

Thank you Nicol, for sharing your story /// Gracias Nicol, por compartir tu historia.

Watch the full interview: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UxhWK92eCkM