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POPULATION: 9,775,246
ACTIVE IN: The Departments of Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Potosí, Santa Cruz
PROGRAMS: Livelihoods, Social Mobilization, Disease Prevention, Nutrition
A CAUSE FOR CONCERN
Bolivia is the poorest country in South America. Almost two-thirds of its people live in poverty, working as subsistence farmers, miners, and traders. Preventable diseases claim the lives of thousands of infants and children every year, and the number of women who die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth is extremely high. Conditions are particularly dire for Bolivia’s indigenous people, who live in rural areas where there is little access to health services.
PCI REACHED 270,000 BOLIVIANS LAST YEAR WITH PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDED NUTRITION, MATERNAL AND CHILD EALTH SERVICES, EDUCATION, DISEASE PREVENTION, AND ECONOMIC OPPORUNITY. | OVERVIEW
Project Concern International (PCI) began working in Bolivia since 1980, improving the health and well-being of children and families living in poor, rural communities. Today, PCI continues to increase the quality of life for Bolivia’s indigenous populations through targeted interventions in health, agriculture, the environment, child rights, education, water and sanitation, income generation and youth programs.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PCI’s MIS Llamas Project (My Llamas) is helping Bolivian Llameros to significantly improve the production, infrastructure, and economic value of their llama farms and herds. PCI trains farmers on ways to improve the production and value of their llamas, including better management of native prairies used for foraging; llama nutrition and health; protection during infancy and from harsh weather conditions through corral construction; and improved quality of llama by-products.
Last year, PCI expanded its efforts to help llama farmers and their families increase the sale and commercialization of llama by-products, such as leather purses and briefcases, fresh and preserved meats (including sausages and salamis), llama fiber (wool) clothing, and finished handicrafts by forming nearly 40 production committees. These grass-roots groups have helped to foster new business skills and sources of income for MIS Llamas participants, particularly rural women, who have begun to travel to regional and national fairs to sell their products. Their ability to innovate and improve the quality of llama products has positioned the “MIS Llamas” brand in the Bolivian marketplace and allowed AIPC to open a retail store in the city of Oruro, which serves as a promotion and distribution point for different Andean products.
SOCIAL MOBILIZATION
Through its Alianzas y Participación Juvenil (Youth Alliance and Participation Project), PCI is engaging local youth to become advocates of change, conflict resolution, and social actors directly engaged in community development and education. Addressing the critical issue of child labor, youth are participating in hands-on learning workshops, as well as learning techniques such as “entertainment for development” to inform citizens of El Alto about the hazards and injustice of child labor. Using various approaches with local media outlets such as interviews, songs and jingles, press releases and television show appearances, the youth were able to reach nearly 50,000 El Alto residents in 2008. Since 2003, PCI has implemented several projects designed to increase youth participation in civic affairs, withdraw children from hazardous work, and build awareness about child labor among other youth in the community and with local authorities.
DISEASE PREVENTION
Throughout Latin America, one hundred million people are at risk for Chagas, a debilitating disease that can kill adults during their prime of life. An estimated 18 million people are currently infected with Chagas in Latin America, and infections rates are higher in Bolivia than any other country. Caused by a parasite, Chagas is incurable but can be controlled and possibly eliminated through improved living conditions and better hygiene practices. PCI is providing resources for impoverished communities in the municipalities of Cordillera, Charagua, Cuevo, Cabezas and Gutierrez in the Department of Santa Cruz to renovate their homes and improve their living conditions as well as help prevent the transmission of Chagas through community education programs.
NUTRITION SECURITY
Since 2002, PCI has been working with hundreds of communities to distribute school breakfasts to ensure pre- and primary school children have access to and stay in school. In partnership with the World Food Programme and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, PCI is reducing malnutrition rates, improving the overall health status of rural children, and increasing school enrollment and attendance rates. These meals are an effective incentive for parents to send their children to school, and by alleviating their hunger, students are better able to concentrate and learn during class.
Download PCI/Bolivia Country Fact Sheet (PDF)
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