Where We Work
Rural Communities of Bolivia
Founded in 1825, Bolivia is located in the heart of South America. Covering an area of almost 424,000 square miles, Bolivia is approximately the size of California and Texas combined. Bolivia is a landlocked nation and has not had ocean access since 1879, when it lost its Pacific Ocean coastline in a war with neighboring Chile. Bolivia's geography ranges from the Andes mountains and altiplano (high plateau) in the west to lowland Amazonian rainforests in the east. Lake Titicaca is located on the border between Bolivia and Peru.
The population of Bolivia is estimated to be 9,182,000. Approximately 40% of the population of Bolivia live in rural communities. Studies have estimated rural poverty in Bolivia to be over 80%. Los Libros del Sol aims to foster educational and creative growth in these rural communities of Bolivia through the donation of learning materials, educational seminars, and community libraries.
Island of the Sun, Lake Titicaca
The Island of the Sun, located in Bolivia's part of Lake Titicaca, is the first rural community of Bolivia that Los Libros del Sol has chosen to sponsor. Accessible by a 90 minute boat ride from the nearest port city of Copacabana, the Island of the Sun contains the Aymara villages of Yumani, Cha'lla, and Cha'llapampa.
Residents on the Island of the Sun support themselves through a combination of agriculture and tourism. Local schools and electricity were established on the Island of the Sun only within the past decade.