‘Even if I could afford nutritious food, I only know how to cook corn, rice and potatoes’
This is the poorest region in Bolivia, which is the poorest nation in South America. Just as in the States, poverty here has many inter-tangled root causes: racism, lack of education, poor nutrition, poor health, no health care and human services, and limited or no access to transportation. And as in the States, poverty perpetuates its own root causes.
Most indigenous Aymara people in this region scrape out a living of less than $2 a day on subsistence farms called “chakras,” growing corn and potatoes. A few can afford to buy rice and pasta. More carbs. But virtually no one can afford an adequate balance of vegetables and protein. In Manko Kapac, about a 30-minute walk from our home, a woman in her mid-20’s told us, “Even if I could afford (vegetables and protein), I only know how to cook corn, rice, and potatoes.”
In recent weeks, we met with local Bolivian leaders and residents to learn about their needs, and how the Border Mission can help, sustainably. Once we get our Bolivian work visas, we’ll be able to visit and assess Peru communities, too. Watch for a Sept. update.
People here need hands-on help from individual volunteers, small groups, and teams. Please read the Project Profile and photos at the links below and let us know which projects interest you. It’s part of our job to help other volunteers navigate travel arrangements, lodging, budgets, insurance, etc. Send us your questions!
If a work trip isn’t possible, please consider donating. Go to Advancing Hope and follow instructions to donate to Advance Project #3021288, The Lake Titicaca Border Mission. Contact us directly at jeffandeb@gmail.com with questions, or to “adopt” a specific project. $10 to $50 can do a lot of good here!
