Bolivia country information

Fact and figures

Location Central South America, southwest of Brazil

Capital La Paz

Population 9.9 million

People Amerindian 63.9%, Mestizo (mixed race) 30.5%, European 5% (mainly of Spanish decent)

Language Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, other foreign languages

Religion Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%

Literacy rate 86.7%

Life expectancy 67 years

% Living below $1/day 23%

Sources The CIA World Fact Book 2009, Compassion International, www.news.bbc.co.uk

Bolivia

Despite being rich in natural mineral and energy reserves, contrasting landscapes and the home of ancient civilisations, the landlocked country of Bolivia is one of South America’s poorest countries.

Traditionally, the wealthy urban elite minority have dominated the political and economic scene, widening the divide between the rich and the majority of the population, who struggle on low income subsistence farming, mining and small trading.

Disturbingly, the growing of coca, from which cocaine is made, is the only source of income for many poor Bolivians because alternate crops are less profitable due to inadequate infrastructure and accessibility. Growing international pressure to suppress it is causing frustration and unrest amongst these farmers.

For Bolivia’s children, living in extreme poverty is the norm. Bolivia has the second highest infant mortality rate in Latin America and malnutrition is a big contributing factor. Children weakened by the lack of nutrition, subsequently die from preventable diseases such as respiratory infections and diarrhoea.

This situation is not beyond repair. Compassion has been working in Bolivia since 1975 and currently over 52,488 children participate in more than 194 church-based projects providing nutritious food, healthcare and all they need to live life to the full.

Compassion Bolivia currently has 8 Child Survival Programmes.

Over 52,488 children are currently being assisted in more than 194 Child Sponsorship Programmes in Bolivia.

Compassion Bolivia currently has 94 active Leadership Development Programme students.