About Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America with a population of 11.5 Million. Although a country founded by Spanish colonization of the Americas, Bolivia is unique for its high proportion of Indigenous citizens, 6.2 million people (62.2% of the total population). Although most Bolivians speak Spanish, research has shown that approximately half of them speak an Indigenous language, such as Quechua (28%) or Aymara (18%).
Born in the struggle for independence against Spain in the early nineteenth century, Bolivia has faced an unstable situation ever since winning its freedom. The War of the Pacific (1879-1883) against Chile saw a defeat for Bolivia, which saw it become a land-locked nation, losing its ports on the Pacific Ocean.
The nation of Bolivia is rich in national resources, such as lithium and tin, alongside agriculture such as coca. Bolivia's economy, whilst growing, remains vulnerable to changes in commodity prices, particularly for its exports like natural gas and minerals. The country has historically relied heavily on these resources, and this dependence can create economic instability. According to the World Bank, Bolivia's economic growth has been affected by external variations and internal structural issues, such as a lack of diversification and infrastructural deficits.
Social inequality remains a significant problem. Bolivia has one of the highest levels of poverty in Latin America, with disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as among different ethnic and social groups. Indigenous populations, despite constituting a large portion of the country, often face systemic disadvantages in terms of access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
As mentioned previously, the nation of Bolivia is a multicultural nation, which celebrates great diversity. Despite this, however, the struggle for Indigenous rights and autonomy is still an issue in Bolivia. While the 2009 constitution, pushed by Indigenous president Evo Morales, recognized the country as a plurinational state and granted Indigenous groups greater rights, tensions persist over land use, cultural preservation, and political representation. Conflicts often arise between government development projects and indigenous communities' desire to protect their ancestral lands. In this context, some Indigenous peoples in Bolivia face social inequality and oppression.
HELP Bolivia recognizes the need for support for impoverished children and families in distress. The support programs we run are vital to the families that are referred to us, and provide the HELP they need to survive and thrive. HELP Bolivia is helping build brighter futures for families in El Alto, and for the future of Bolivia.
El Alto is the second largest city in Bolivia with a population of just over 1 million, 76% of which are Aymara. Located on the rim of the La Paz valley, and sitting at 4,150 metres above sea level, it is the highest major metropolis in the world. El Alto is also one of the fastest growing cities in Bolivia, with migrants moving from the countryside for better economic opportunities.
Bolivia is one of the most diverse countries in the world, with a wide range of ecosystems ranging from tropical jungles to the altiplano of the Andes. In 2015 La Paz was named a UNESCO wonder city, and since that time tourism has seen a steady increase. Bolivia is increasingly seen as a ‘must see’ destination for travelers, and many who travel there vow to return to see more of what Bolivia has to offer. Bolivia’s wikitravel page provides information for those of you who are now piqued about what there is to see and do in Bolivia!
Here is further Reading about Bolivia, including statistics and other information about poverty, violence against women and children, and other topics:
Some of our pictures from Bolivia
