Context
Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America. One in eight Bolivians live with less than 1.25 $ per day, according to data from UNDP.
The most vulnerable and at risk of poverty are rural women and children, as well as indigenous people. More than 22 per cent of Bolivians do not have access to drinking water, and 73 per cent do not have access to basic health services.
Our action in Bolivia
Comprehensive Support Programme in Machacamarca
In the town of Machacamarca, located in the state of Oruro, the vulnerability of the population is accentuated by a particularly unfavourable environment. They face high altitude, difficult weather conditions, and a shortage of fertile land that affects subsistence farming.
In order to improve the quality of life and strengthen the capacity of the vulnerable inhabitants of Machacamarca, FXB developed a one-time global support programme in Bolivia in 1998.
The programme was developed in a participatory manner to promote local ownership of the project after the association had left.
Many activities have been implemented under this programme:
- Development of income-generating activities to enable families to generate sufficient income and access food security: poultry farming, launching of a community bakery and developing crops under greenhouses in order to overcome environmental obstacles and facilitate vegetable production in this locality located at an altitude of nearly 4,000 metres.
- Development of beneficiary skills in project management and financial management.
- Community education and awareness on health in general, reproductive health, hygiene, sustainable community development and environmental protection.
The project is now independently run by women from the Machacamarca community.