About Bolivia

Bolivia has one of the largest indigenous populations in the Americas. Approximately 60 – 70% of the population is of Amerindian ancestry while the remaining 30 – 40% is of European descent. Despite centuries of oppression, the indigenous people remain independent and hard-working while struggling to overcome the legacies of colonialism, dictatorship, corruption, and international debt. Bolivia also has one of the lowest per capita incomes in the Americas, which contributes greatly to high levels of extreme poverty. Land, resources and wealth remain concentrated in the hands of a small number of families – with the richest 10% of the population controlling nearly half of the country’s total wealth - giving the country one of the highest levels of inequality in Latin America.

About Cochambamba

The city of Cochabamba is situated at 8,375 feet above sea level in the center of landlocked Bolivia. The state of Cochabamba, with a population of approximately 1,500,000 people, is both the agricultural center of Bolivia and a leading contributor to the country’s economy. Cochabamba is made up of 16 provinces, and its capital – also named Cochabamba – is the urban center of the state with approximately 517,370 residents.

Although the state is both culturally and economically important to the country, 50% of its population lives in poverty. The poverty levels range from moderate to severe with a majority living without many necessities. In Cochabamba child labor is an accepted part of life.