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Bolivians Without Disabilities: Helping Poor Amputees in Bolivia

Bolivians Without DisabilitiesBolivia has seen a reduction in poverty. However, current statistics suggest that 11% of people live in extreme poverty and 36.3% live in moderate poverty. This may be due to the fact that Bolivia suffers from 160 major weather conditions, which result in food shortages and lower amounts of drinkable water. Yet, conditions are worse for people with disabilities in Bolivia. The Borgen Project spoke with Matthew Pepe, the founder and president of Bolivians Without Disabilities, about the life of amputees in Bolivia and explained the help the organization provides to these people.

The Bolivians Without Disabilities

“Our main focus is to work with nonprofit Bolivian prosthetic organizations that provide prostheses to low-income Bolivian amputees,” says Pepe. The Bolivians Without Disabilities accomplish this by collaborating with Bolivian companies that physically construct artificial limbs and provide these to amputees.

Bolivians Without Disabilities gives monetary support and teaching resources to associations that help people with disabilities in Bolivia. This greatly enhances those with disabilities in a physical and mental sense by:

  • Having the opportunities to help their relatives and their local communities.
  • Improving their self-confidence and job prospects.

Why Are They Important

Pepe describes the life of an amputee in Bolivia, stating, “Living with a disability in Bolivia is not easy, especially if you are poor. Streets and sidewalks are often crowded and very narrow with lots of dips and broken concrete, making walking, even with two good legs, very difficult.” If this is not bad enough, experiencing an amputation can cause despair and unhappiness due to the sense of loss of autonomy and self-perception.

Furthermore, when asked if the Bolivian government was doing enough to help amputees, Pepe answered, “Definitely not, but I am not sure that I can fault them very much since the issue is largely financial.” Indeed, Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Additionally, the Bolivian government has failed to pass adequate legislation that identifies discrimination based on disability.

Disability is a critical problem since people who have gone through an amputation suffer terrible financial issues and poverty as they encounter more hurdles to health care. This is unsurprising since Pepe explains that “Social stigma is also a serious concern. Disabled people suffer serious discrimination.” In comparison with the general population, amputees are more likely to experience inadequate access to health care.

Furthermore, people with an amputation are more likely to be unemployed. As stated by Our World in Data, in 2022 in Bolivia, the unemployment rate is 5.16% among amputees, in comparison with 3.81% among the general population. Pepe explained this by saying, “It is also very difficult to get a job if you are disabled. Many jobs are very physical and you need all your hands, feet and abilities to work at most jobs.”

The Impact on Poverty

According to Pepe, “The government also does very little to provide prosthetic limbs.” Pepe continues, “I think that I fairly believe that the little prosthetic clinic that I created provides far more prosthetic limbs than the practically non-existent government attempts to provide limbs.” With the Bolivians Without Disabilities intervening and providing low-income amputees a prosthetic limb, this will create a positive change and will improve their well-being while decreasing their chances of falling into the poverty cycle. This is because they will be encouraged to participate in education and employment activities.

The Bolivians Without Disabilities has shared many personal stories. Here are two examples:

  1. Pabio is a Bolivian man and while he was working, he accidentally inserted his left arm into a mechanical machine. As a result, his arm was amputated because it was severely crushed. After the incident, Pabio was unable to work and he felt depressed. After Bolivians Without Disabilities provided the financial means to construct an artificial arm and hand for Pabio, his job prospects improved.
  2. A woman named Mariana had a job accident while working at a sawmill. One day, she accidentally cut off her hand since there were no safety precautions. After this incident, Mariana was miserable and dependent on others on a day-to-day basis. After receiving an artificial arm from Bolivians Without Disabilities, Mariana’s self-confidence improved. She hoped to study petrochemistry and find a job.

Looking Ahead

The interview with Pepe provided a snapshot of the life of an amputee in Bolivia. Stigma and discrimination are felt more by disabled people and they find it harder to live in Bolivia due to the little help provided by the government. The work done by Bolivians Without Disabilities is vital to help people with disabilities so they can avoid the poverty cycle by improving their job prospects and self-confidence.

– James McAlinden

James is based in Rosehearty, Scotland and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Education to prevent child labor in Bolivia

child labor In BoliviaIn Bolivia, “one of the poorest nations in Latin America,” children face alarming levels of monetary poverty, affecting 48% of children overall and disproportionately impacting 65% of indigenous girls. These figures starkly contrast with the high national poverty rate of 36.4% and an extreme poverty rate of 11.1% recorded in 2021. These circumstances fuel the widespread prevalence of child labor in Bolivia, with 286,890 children aged 7-14 working as of 2022, many of them working in the mining industry.

With global silver demand surging by 18% in 2023, mining companies are turning their attention to Bolivia, a country that formerly supplied 20% of the world’s silver. However, historical Spanish involvement in Bolivia’s silver mining has tarnished its reputation with exploitation. Consequently, efforts to prevent a potential increase in child labor in Bolivia and the mining industry are underway through educational initiatives led by organizations such as PASOCAP.

History of Mining

Cerro Rico, meaning Rich Mountain, towers over the city of Potosí and is famous for the world’s “richest silver deposit” discovered in 1545. During the Spanish conquest in 1532, the Spanish exploited indigenous expertise through the mita, a forced labor practice that resulted in a significant decline in the Andean indigenous population while funding the expansion of the Spanish empire.

Toxic dust and fumes exposed miners to perilous conditions, which earned Cerro Rico the name “The Mountain That Eats Men.” Estimates suggest that the forced labor at the mine claimed the lives of 8 million indigenous people and African slaves. Despite the arrival of the liberator Simon Bolivar in 1825, the mita persisted until its abolition in 1832, according to Kris Lane’s study.

Mining in Bolivia Today

Mining continues to be the primary economic activity in Potosí. However, with much of the wealth and resources already extracted, families face financial struggles, relying on the scant earnings from what remains of the plundered riches. In the past, UNICEF has stated that poverty and family breakdown are the primary causes pushing children into mining labor. Despite the Bolivian government’s classification of mining as one of the worst forms of child labor in Bolivia for its impact on health and education, according to a 2022 report, children are compelled to take risks and make sacrifices to support their families’ livelihoods.

Children who are as young as 15 have contracted silicosis, a lung disease that exposure to silica dust causes, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, coughing, loss of appetite and death. ABC News reveals that a lack of investment and safety inspections has led to inadequate safety measures, including insufficient safety gear, power and ventilation. Additionally, miners face other hazards such as toxic gases, mine collapses, dynamite handling and electrocution from outdated machinery, according to a 2023 report. These conditions perpetuate a cycle of poverty and miners’ low life expectancy of about 45 years.

Education for the Elimination of Child Labor

Nadia Alejandra Cruz Tarifa, the Vice Minister of Equal Opportunities at Bolivia’s Ministry of Justice and International Transparency, shed light on the significant role poverty plays in driving child labor in Bolivia during her address to the 2023 Committee on the Rights of the Child.

During her speech, she emphasized the pivotal link between education and poverty elimination in Bolivia, stressing the prevalence of school dropouts as a significant challenge for the state. She applauded the effectiveness of the Juancito Pinto bonus, a government initiative that offers annual monetary incentives to students and their families, successfully encouraging millions to stay in school, OHCHR reports. By addressing financial struggles, this initiative allows students to pursue education rather than resorting to hazardous labor like mining.

The Work of PASOCAP

After a decade of dedicated effort, PASOCAP collaborated with the working children of Potosí, establishing a dedicated day of commemoration for the dignity of working children in the city on December 8. This milestone also includes the enactment of Municipal Law No. 419, regulating fund allocation for initiatives addressing protection and prevention issues concerning working children. PASOCAPS’s Casa NAT’s program enabled this achievement by empowering young children to act as agents of change, exercising their citizenship and contributing to sustainable development.

Among the institution’s many initiatives is the InterSol Program, which targets “families, guards, watchmen, children, adolescents and young people” living and working alongside Cerro Rico. It aims to empower individuals regarding their constitutional and labor rights through workshops, emphasising laws safeguarding children and women while disseminating strategies to combat child abuse and reduce child labor in Bolivia.

Another initiative, “Protagonists of Peace” supports children struggling with violence, social disadvantage and the direct impacts of mining activities. It aims to equip them with life skills, enhance opportunities and promote advocacy for their rights. The primary goal is to improve the living standards of children and families linked to mining through comprehensive training, empowering them to influence municipal policies. Additionally, the project prioritizes health and nutrition, ensuring access to primary health care services for participants.

Instead of consigning children to work in the mines of Cerro Rico, PASOCAP is providing them with opportunities to challenge the industry’s structures and develop skills that offer genuine and sustainable alternatives that break the cycle of poverty. The Cerro Rico silver mines provide a microcosm through which to examine the high rates of child poverty and child labor in Bolivia. Acknowledging the efforts of institutions like PASOCAP in protecting children is crucial in light of potential future mining activities in the country.

– Ben Miley-Smith
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Lack of Technology for Education for Bolivian Students

Technology for EducationThe challenges posed by the lack of technology for education have shaped the educational landscape for Bolivian students, marking a distinctive element of the nation’s developmental course. While Bolivia struggles with the challenges posed by the digital divide, economic researchers are examining the intricate relationship between technological accessibility and academic opportunities. They aim to shed light on the profound implications on educational advancement and prospects of Bolivian students.

Root Causes of the Lack of Technology in Education

The lack of technology for education for Bolivian students can be attributed to a mix of factors, painting a complex picture of the challenges facing their education system. One significant contributor is the economic disparity prevalent in the country, where a considerable portion of the population faces financial constraints hindering their access to modern educational tools.

Limited infrastructure, especially in remote and rural areas, accelerates the problem, making it difficult to establish reliable internet connectivity and access to electronic devices.

Much of Bolivia’s citizenry remains poor, thus lacking widespread “Information and Communications Technology” (ICT) use.

According to Bolivia’s telecoms authority’s data, only about 40% of Bolivians and only 3% in rural areas have internet access. These households experienced the region’s worst connection speed. Therefore, it is uneasy to introduce ICT in secondary schools in this kind of setting, knowing the issue of the lack of technology for education is prominent.

Challenges of Lack of Technology for Education

The absence of advanced technological tools in classrooms hinders students’ access to current information and interactive learning experiences. This digital divide perpetuates inequality, as students in impoverished areas face disparities in educational opportunities compared to their counterparts in more affluent regions. Educational disadvantage translates into a workforce needing more digital skills for contemporary jobs, perpetuating low-income employment opportunities. Insufficient access to quality education perpetuates a cycle of poverty, limiting opportunities for individuals and communities.

Solving Lack of Technology for Education

Help Bolivia Foundation – Started in 2018 as a prominent foundation incorporated in Canada, it aims to alleviate poverty resulting from the lack of technology by funding educators and equipment to teach basic computer skills to 24 students over a year. With the purchase of six new computers for the dedicated computer room, the initiative provides a vital opportunity for these students to acquire fundamental computer skills, internet knowledge and proficiency in software packages such as Office. The Help Bolivia Foundation has made strides in providing a platform for these students to access technology, empowering them with the tools necessary for future success and socioeconomic advancement.

One Student, One Computer – Operating since 2014, “One Student, One Computer” strives to address the adverse impact of technological poverty on education and subsequently alleviate poverty. With an emphasis on improving access to information and technology, the program, aligned with the Patriotic Agenda 2025, aspires to enhance the quality of education in Bolivia.

Through initiatives like providing Quipus computers with tactile screens, rotating cameras and wireless connectivity, the program aims to make classes interactive, bridging the digital gap. These computers, costing $410 each and assembled locally, cater to the needs of private high schools and garner interest from countries like Argentina, Ecuador and Peru. The success of initiatives like the “Yes I Can” program has played a pivotal role, culminating in UNESCO declaring Bolivia free of illiteracy in December 2008.

Conclusion

Researchers and education organizations alike have become more conscious of the critical need to address the use of technology in the classroom. Efforts like the “One Student, One Computer” program gained traction. There is hope for bridging the technological gap and fostering a more equitable educational environment, paving the way for enhanced socioeconomic development in Bolivia.

– Mahima Bhat
Photo: Flickr

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Progress in Bolivia’s Water Access

Bolivia’s Water AccessIn the 2010 renowned film, “También la lluvia” (Even the Rain) by Icíar Bollaín, two directors travel to Bolivia to shoot a film about Christopher Columbus and the Spanish exploitation of the New World. However, as they begin filming, they find themselves within another narrative of exploitation: the Water War protests of the year 2000, where the local population is fighting against the privatization of water resources in response to Bolivia’s water access crisis.

The release of Bollaín’s film coincided with the 10-year anniversary of the Bolivian crisis, reminding the public of this devastating chapter in history that was perhaps forgotten outside of Bolivia. Beyond educating many about a dark time in Bolivia’s past, the movie encourages a necessary discussion about Bolivia’s current water access situation.

The Current Situation 

Despite the victories achieved during the Water Wars, Bolivia continues to struggle with water challenges. Rapid urbanization, natural disasters and mismanagement of water resources contribute to water scarcity in various regions of the country. Rural communities are particularly vulnerable, facing difficulties accessing clean and reliable water sources.

Steady Progress

However, while it is still an issue, it must be noted that there has been significant progress in achieving water access in Bolivia. In 2020, 84.7% of the population had access to improved sources of water, and 62.5% had access to basic sanitation. The country continues to implement different drinking water and sanitation programs in both urban and rural areas which work to increase access to these resources and their quality.

Furthermore, the government has set a goal by 2025 that works for access to essential basic services with an emphasis on vulnerable groups, with the management of water prices and free access for groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Bolivia’s Help

The international community has committed to assisting in Bolivia’s efforts. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a line of credit of up to $500 million to enhance Bolivia’s water access and security and help secure a sustainable supply of irrigation and drinking water. The objectives of the investment are to increase food security by 25% and raise the net agricultural income of family farms by 36%. The investment will be directed toward mechanized irrigation systems for around 12,500 families from the most vulnerable communities that depend on agriculture to survive. After the new systems, these farms will be able to irrigate an additional 13,871 hectares.

Progress outside of government policy is also being made. The NGO Water for People, which has been working in Bolivia since 1997, has made tremendous efforts. Water for People implements piped water supply and educates communities on how to maintain them for the long term. In addition, the organization helps construct hygienic hand washing stations and toilets in schools.

Looking Ahead

Agriculture is the primary economic activity of 77% of the country’s rural population which makes up Bolivia’s most vulnerable communities. Thus, water scarcity is devastating for Bolivia’s most vulnerable. Bolivia has made significant improvements since its water crisis at the beginning of the century, but progress is still needed. Bolivia’s future has hope as the international community and multiple NGOs work to assist them in their struggle. 

– Cameron Alcocer-Venables
Photo: Flickr

Renewable Energy in Bolivia: On the Road to Sustainability

Renewable Energy in BoliviaThe history of renewable energy in Bolivia is not very long, as many of its significant developments unfolded a few years ago. However, that has not stopped the country from achieving important milestones in its transition to renewable energy during the said short period.

Renewable Energy Initiatives

One major breakout for renewable energy in Bolivia was the construction of its first wind power plant in 2014, located in Qollpana, Cochabamba. This was followed by the release of the “Electric Plan of the Plurinational State of Bolivia 2025,” a document explaining the government’s long-term vision of an energy-independent country inclusive of renewable energy sources.

Fast forward to 2022, and the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy is reporting a gas use reduction of 50% due to efficient management and increasing use of hydroelectric, wind, solar and biomass energy.

Renewable Energy and Poverty Reduction

The transition to renewable energy in Bolivia carries the potential to advance poverty reduction efforts in the country. It could reduce the energy access breach in Bolivia, with 2.4% of the population lacking access to electricity. This translates to limitations in basic needs such as lighting, cooking and heating. While non-renewable energy could also reduce this energy gap, Bolivia’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy made it a point to include renewable energy sources in its “To Live with Dignity” electricity program, launched in 2008. This program aims for total accessibility of electricity services in Bolivia.

Renewable energy can also potentially reduce unemployment through the creation of more solar, hydroelectric and wind power plants that need staff to handle operations. It is estimated that 15 million jobs will be created in Latin America by 2030. Moreover, Bolivia has a total of 11 renewable energy projects, each focused on either solar, hydroelectric or wind power.

Efforts to Advance Renewable Energy

Despite the country’s efforts, natural gas still makes up 80.7% of total energy production. Nevertheless, Bolivia is not short on ways to keep pushing toward renewable energy production. For instance, Bolivia is part of RELAC, an alliance between Latin American and Caribbean countries for renewable energy development. One of its aims is for renewable energy to reach 70% of the regional electricity matrix. Aside from its previously mentioned electric plan, there is the “Alternative Energy Development Plan 2025,” a ten-year plan to consolidate renewable-based electric generation.

Bolivia continues to make efforts to upgrade the infrastructure needed for renewable energy production. The National Interconnected System (SIN), which the government has put in place, aims to improve the nation’s capacity for producing electricity by building additional power plants, transmission lines and substations. Additionally, it is anticipated that the SIN will make it easier to integrate renewable energy sources into the national electrical network.

Looking Ahead

Although Bolivia’s journey toward renewable energy is still in its early stages, the nation has made considerable strides in a short amount of time. By transitioning to renewable energy, Bolivia can reduce poverty-related issues such as unemployment and unequal access to energy. Bolivia’s commitment to renewable energy is a welcome step toward a more sustainable and just future for all.

– Luciana Mena
Photo: Flickr

5 Facts About Child Marriage in Bolivia

Child Marriage in BoliviaBolivia is a “lower-middle income country” where at least 40% of the citizens live under the national poverty line, with women and children being at the highest risk. Child marriage and unions closely associate with poverty due to the lack of education, job availability and food scarcity. It is an issue that affects all genders, but young women and girls often face more exposure due to the perceived socio-economic “benefits” that come with marrying off a daughter. The following are some facts about child marriage in Bolivia.

5 Facts About Child Marriage in Bolivia

  1. The Law: In Bolivia, 18 is the minimum legal age of marriage, but children as young as 16 can get married with their parent’s permission and consent. Around 20% of children below the age of 18 are either married or in a union and around 3% of children under the age of 16 are in a marriage. These numbers, however, don’t take into account the number of informal unions in the country. Poverty is a great indicator of the likelihood of child marriage in Bolivia. Children have little relative autonomy and their parents often make decisions regarding their marriage for them. For many parents, pushing child marriage is a means to escape poverty. They may receive a form of dowry for marrying off a child and/or feel some relief from having one less child to care for. According to the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), some consider child marriage a “necessary means for survival, for both the family and child.”
  2. Girls are More Likely to Go into Marriage: Girls are at a higher risk for child marriage in Bolivia, and this is partly due to gender inequality and discrimination. Girls Not Brides reports that there is the belief that women are inferior to men and that women and girls should be submissive to men in the country. Nevertheless, Bolivia has the highest rate of child marriage among boys in the world, Save the Children reports. This is because most people view marriage as a stepping stone to power. There are certain positions that men can get only if they are married, and this motivates boys to go into child marriage in Bolivia.
  3. Population Growth and Poverty: High rates of child marriage and unofficial unions result in a higher population. Many families that come from child marriage live in poverty and rely on welfare from the government. Studies suggest that the cost of welfare in countries with high child marriage rates could reach up to $500 billion annually.
  4. Education Matters: Keeping children in school has positive impacts on reducing the rates of child marriage. The World Bank reports that each year of schooling a child gets, especially for girls, has a 5% points reduction in the likelihood of entering marriage before the age of 18. Ensuring adequate and available education to poor and rural communities could lower rates of child marriage in Bolivia and result in increased earnings potential. About 90% of girls in Bolivia complete lower secondary school, but the quality and accessibility aren’t standard across the country. Girls in rural communities are less likely to finish their secondary education. These communities also have the highest rate of child marriage.
  5. Government Intervention: The government aims to end child marriage and forced unofficial unions in Bolivia by 2030. It has been co-sponsoring the Human Rights Council resolution on child marriages and the U.N. General Assembly resolutions on child marriages since 2013. The government has also worked on providing comprehensive education and awareness about “principles of equality between men and women in marriage” in both Spanish and indigenous languages. There are ongoing efforts to provide better access and quality education to girls who are at the highest risk of child marriage in Bolivia. The Country Programme which ran from 2018 to 2022 focused on providing foundations in four output areas to enhance education and accessibility for rural and indigenous communities.

The Future

Bolivia made the greatest reduction in poverty in Latin America which, in turn, could help resolve the child marriage situation. The government’s plan to create a stronger education system with Spanish and local languages in rural and indigenous communities could also have a major impact on ending child marriage in the country. While child marriage is still a problem in Bolivia, organizations like the World Bank, UNICEF and Girls Not Brides continue to work toward bringing change in the country.

– Kathryn Kendrick
Photo: Flickr

Everything You Need To Know About Poverty In Bolivia

Everything You Need To Know About Poverty In BoliviaIn 2021, the World Bank reported that national poverty in Bolivia was around 36.3%, with extreme poverty standing at 11%. The key responsible factors include the lack of human development and an ever-increasing unemployment rate. Also, ongoing socio-economic issues alongside a lack of education threaten the country’s economy and future.

The State of Education in Bolivia

Despite completing primary education, the majority of Bolivian students do not continue to secondary education. Increasing poverty rates have also affected children’s access to education. In 2014, the country passed legislation permitting child labor for children up to 10 years old and above. This led some families to prioritize their children’s work over their education.

In March 2023, 140,000 public school teachers participated in Bolivia’s largest strike since 2019. Outrage over a new curriculum that requires teachers to work additional unpaid hours prompted the strikes. Teachers are demanding an increase in the education budget, wages, and staff. With strikes becoming more common, students often have no one to teach them. This, in turn, impacts the education of Bolivian children negatively.

Malnutrition in Bolivia

Approximately 16% of children in Bolivia experience chronic malnutrition. Also, more than one in four children under 5 years old suffer from growth stunting due to chronic malnutrition, representing the highest rate in any Latin American nation. The country’s agricultural production has been stagnant, causing food insecurity among families, with 30% of households experiencing food shortages for more than three months a year. As a result, children are affected physically and academically, with many having to walk long distances to school on empty stomachs. Going through such levels of physical stress often impacts concentration levels among affected children.

Unemployment in Bolivia

In 2019, the unemployment rate in Bolivia was 3.7%, but it increased to 7.9% in 2020. The World Bank reported a drop to 5.1% in 2021. The low productivity of small-scale farming, droughts and decreasing product quality have caused a shrinkage in revenue generation in this sector. Poor infrastructure has also negatively affected the transportation of goods. Bolivia’s human development index ranking was 118 in 2021, indicating a lack of equal human development and underscoring the country’s poor economic state. According to the World Bank, Bolivia’s GDP per capita was $3,345 in 2021.

Poverty Alleviation Efforts

Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDGF), an independent organization, partnered with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Education (WHO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to implement the “Bolivian Government’s Zero Malnutrition Multi-sectoral Programme (PMD-C)” in the Andean region of Cochabamba. The program had three components: integrating nutritional activities into communities, educating and strengthening agricultural capabilities and improving the nutritional status of families. Following this intervention, reports indicate that 21,489 children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women gained better access to food of increased quality and quantity, there was a 50% reduction in anemia among children, and chronic malnutrition in children aged 6-23 months decreased by 30%.

In 2013, the World Bank supported the La Paz municipality in improving access to secondary education (as well as retention) for more than 10,000 at-risk students. It constructed and renovated approximately 240 classrooms, supplied learning equipment, supported staff and strengthened education management for primary and secondary schools in the area.

The Secondary Education Transformation Project financed an incentive program for students at risk of dropping out to help improve retention rates in secondary education levels. Collaboration with the Bolivian Salesian University led to the development and implementation of a postgraduate degree program. The partnership led to the construction of 19 buildings, benefiting more than 10,000 students and 11,000 staff members who were fully equipped and supported. These educational buildings are still in use as of April 2023. The aim is to reduce poverty in Bolivia for future generations.

Brighter Future for Bolivia

Bolivia has struggled with poverty due to inadequate and unequal education, chronic malnutrition, and persistently high unemployment rates even after the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, ongoing efforts are underway to improve Bolivia’s current situation. Organizations like UNICEF, WHO and UNIDO have implemented programs that aim to reduce malnutrition in the country. Also, the World Bank has been providing financial support to Bolivia’s education system. Local and humanitarian organizations are working to strengthen communities, promote a more sustainable economy and create a brighter future for Bolivia.

– Joshua Rogers
Photo: Flickr

Top 10 Facts About Hunger in Bolivia

Top 10 Facts About Hunger in Bolivia
Bolivia is one of Latin America’s poorest countries. Still, Bolivia’s government has ambitious development plans and its constitution declares the right to adequate food for its citizens. However, even with the government’s work toward self-sufficiency, hunger in Bolivia remains a major problem. Here are 10 facts about hunger in Bolivia to help understand the situation better.

Top 10 Facts About Hunger in Bolivia

  1. Approximately 39 percent of Bolivians live in poverty, one of the highest rates in South America. The Bolivian government’s work toward a stronger economy has helped reduce poverty from 59 percent, but poverty rates remain significantly higher in rural areas.
  2. Most of Bolivia’s people live in rural villages. Of Bolivia’s almost 11 million people, more than half live in rural communities where poverty rates are the highest.
  3. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), “Access is the main cause of food insecurity in Bolivia.” Especially in rural communities, citizens lack access to a lot of resources, including food, water and infrastructure. Action Against Hunger (AAH), an NGO working in many poverty-stricken countries, reports that 75 percent of Bolivian households lack regular access to food.
  4. Rural households heavily depend on agriculture and eat only what they can grow themselves. Many rural people are peasant farmers with small plots that have little to no access to infrastructure or other food sources. Therefore, people often go hungry during lean seasons. Frequent natural disasters can also make farming an unreliable source of income.
  5. Nearly two-thirds, 63 percent, of households in Bolivia do not earn enough money to afford sufficient amounts of food, leaving the households unable to provide the minimum caloric intake for healthy living.
  6. Bolivia has the highest level of undernourishment in South America at 15.9 percent, meaning that a substantial portion of the population does not have enough food or eat enough nutrients.
  7. Approximately 27.1 percent of children in Bolivia are stunted, meaning they are too short for their ages. Stunting is a product of undernourishment and malnutrition. Stunting persists in adult populations, with nearly 10 percent of women aged 15-49 measuring less than 4 feet 9 inches (145 centimeters).
  8. Approximately 60 percent of children are anemic as a result of malnutrition. The high percentage of anemic children indicates chronic malnutrition in Bolivia.
  9. Many poor families eat insufficient diets based on cheap carbohydrates such as rice. Carbohydrates contain a lot of starches and fats, which often lead to obesity if not eaten in moderation. Approximately one-third of women aged 15-49 are overweight in Bolivia due to poor diets.
  10. Hunger in Bolivia not only affects children physically but it also affects their education. Many children have long walks to and from school, which are especially hard on empty stomachs. Sergio Torres, the head of WFP’s Bolivia operations, said, “When children arrive at school hungry after walking up to three kilometers, they cannot concentrate or assimilate what is being taught.”

Organizations Working to Address the Top 10 Facts about Hunger in Bolivia

Like poverty, hunger in Bolivia is steadily decreasing thanks to government work and foreign aid. AAH has helped 12,651 Bolivians in 2017 alone. Among those helped, 7,672 people’s lives were changed by nutrition and health programs, 1,470 were helped by water, sanitation and hygiene programs and 3,509 people were shown food security and livelihood programs.

WFP also does a lot of work in Bolivia, targeting three goals: enhancing emergency preparedness, improving enrolment and attendance of primary schoolchildren and reducing child malnutrition. Furthermore, The United Nations is working with the government of Bolivia to ensure food in schools for children. This is based on a law passed in 2015 that guarantees students complimentary school meals.

These organizations, along with the government’s commitment to a citizens right to adequate food, are working to help alleviate poverty and hunger in Bolivia. Although they have a lot of work to attain food security in the country, the efforts are being made and must continue.

– Kathryn Quelle
Photo: Pixabay

Finally Free: Poverty and Inequality in Bolivia

Poverty and Inequality in BoliviaIn 2009, poverty and inequality in Bolivia were some of the highest in South America. Extreme poverty rates were roughly 40 percent and the poorest 10 percent received only 0.5 percent of the total national income.

There was a sharp turnaround between 2004 and 2014, according to the World Bank. Economic growth averaged 4.9 percent annually, moderate poverty rates dropped from 59 to 39 percent, and inequality plummeted. Poverty and inequality in Bolivia began to wane.

 

Fighting Poverty and Inequality in Bolivia

 

It was not until 2006, a year after the election of Evo Morales, the country’s first indigenous president, that government commitment to economic growth and poverty reduction began to drastically improve. Morales increased spending on health, education, and poverty reduction programs by 45 percent between 2005 and 2006.

On July 22nd, 2017, President Evo Morales declared Bolivia completely independent from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Spurring this independence are the improvements achieved by Morales’s government. Since his election, inflation has run below four percent each year, basic consumption goods have been at a surplus, extreme poverty has fallen to 17 percent and the richest 10 percent of the country, which used to earn 128 times more than the poorest, now only earns about 38 times as much.

What’s more, as Francisco Toro writes, “Bolivia was running budget surpluses every year between 2006 and 2014. This allowed it to draw down the public sector’s debt, which fell from 83 percent of GDP in 2003 to just 26 percent in 2014, even as Bolivia built up its international reserves dramatically, from $1.7 billion in 2005 to $15.1 billion at the end of the boom in 2014.”

Much of this had to do with the burgeoning natural resources in the country. Export revenue, in the decade following the appointment of Morales, grew by six percent contributing to the impressive reduction of poverty an inequality in Bolivia.

Independence from the World Bank and IMF marks a new era for Bolivia. Its unprecedented economic improvements and reduction of poverty and inequality are a victory for the fight against poverty. The question is, will the world follow suit?

– Joseph Dover

Photo: Pixabay

Poverty in Bolivia

poverty in bolivia
According to UNICEF, poverty in Bolivia is among the worst in South America. Economic growth and opportunities to make a living are most commonly found in urban areas because the more citizens in a setting, the more consumers there are. This makes it difficult however for indigenous farmers, inhabitants of more remote areas with fewer people, to market their products and provide for their families.

For the vast majority of citizens in Bolivia, this proves to be a major issue: 60% of Bolivians live below the poverty line. In rural areas, the numbers are even more dramatic. Three out of every four people living in these areas suffer from poverty. Because of this, Bolivia the poorest country in South America.

One reason for the extreme poverty lies in the geography of Bolivia. Undeveloped roads and infrastructure make up a vast portion of the country, with a majority of the land inhabited by indigenous citizens. This makes it difficult for farmers living in these areas to market their products and travel to sell them, which in turn impacts their families and the communities they live in.

For the farmers of Bolivia, the recent visit by the World Bank’s President to the country represented a unique opportunity. The fact that Jim Yong Kim recognized the need for economic growth and food security was important to the rural citizens of the poorest South American country. A World Bank agreement with the Government of Bolivia plans to promote the Andean marketable products that the indigenous people have to offer. This will get the people of Bolivia involved in national markets, boosting job growth and the economy.

Bolivians are finally being given opportunities to make a living through improved  economic stability and job growth.

– William Norris

Sources: Rural Poverty Portal, The World Bank
Photo: Bioversity International