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Why Bolivia? Bolivia's high plateau?the Altiplano - sits 13,000 feet above sea level between two cordillera of the Andes. Bordered by Peru on the North and Argentina and Chile on the South, this vast plain is home to the Aymara, one of the 23 indigenous peoples of Bolivia. The Aymara predate the Inca by more than 2000 years and were navigating Lake Titicaca before the time of Christ. When the Spanish claimed the mineral riches of Bolivia, over eight million indigenous people died in the mines at Potosi or were killed by diseases brought by the Spanish. Like others, Aymara civilization and culture lay in ruins. Even after Bolivia achieved independence from Spain in 1825, the rights of indigenous people were denied. For more than 100 years, laws forbade their education. There were no rights to vote, to own land and no access to health care. In 1985, the first stable, democratically-elected government was put in place. Indigenous people continue to work to reclaim their heritage. PovertyBolivia is the least developed country in South America. According to the UN, 97% of the rural population lives below the poverty line. Simple, well directed projects run by QBL are bringing genuine hope to communities caught in this poverty. IsolationIn the high Andes, communication and transportation are difficult. As a landlocked country where less than 10% of the roads are paved, Bolivia's opportunities for foreign trade are limited. InvisibilityThe international community often overlooks Bolivia because its problems are not the result of natural disasters, violent conflict or terrorism. While over 60% of Bolivians are indigenous their plight remains largely ignored. Quaker Bolivia Link is working alongside these people. |
 13,000 feet up on the AltiplanoEnlarge this Image |
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