Country Overview

Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America. Its administrative capital is La Paz and its constitutional capital is Sucre. The largest city is Santa Cruz. The main language in Bolivia is Spanish, along with the indigenous languages Aymara and Quechua. Some of the country’s main exports are soybeans, natural gas, zinc, gold, lead, tin, wood and sugar. There are some wealthy families, but most Bolivians are low-income subsistence farmers, miners, small traders or artisans.

Illiteracy, poor sanitary conditions, absence from school and infant mortality due to malnutrition are among some of the challenges facing many Bolivians. Less than half of the population has access to improved sanitation facilities. Almost half of the population is under the age of 18, thousands of whom are orphans or are trying to survive on their own.

Read about the work we do with our Community Partners to help children thrive in Bolivia.