26 January 2010
Isolated villagers in rural Bolivia are being helped to combat frequent food shortages and malnutrition under a three year project run by Tearfund.
Indigenous people living in the Andean mountain areas of Chuquisaca and Potosi are among the poorest in the country, with an estimated 80 per cent living in poverty.
Learning irrigation has helped these villagers beat hunger. Photo: Setesur/Tearfund
Some of the communities are only accessible on foot via paths that become unsuitable during the rainy season and this isolation means many people are without access to even basic services, such as clean water, sanitation and healthcare.
Chronic shortages of food have traditionally brought high infant mortality and malnutrition rates, and incidents of preventable disease are also high.
Unpredictable weather
Most people are involved in small-scale subsistence farming but production levels have been low due to poor soils, unpredictable weather and erosion.
Little access to training or technical help has meant that communities have for too long relied on inadequate agricultural practices.
Tearfund partner Setesur is working to empower 450 of the poorest families in the Tarvita, Presto and Belen de Urmiri municipalities and help them lift themselves out of material and spiritual poverty.
Food production is being boosted through training in organic and intensive agricultural production, animal health and environmental conservation.
Hunger
Locals are being taught to build greenhouses and to grow fruit-bearing plants to expand their food production, backed up with the construction of irrigation systems and water tanks.
Paulina Vedia. Photo: Setesur/Tearfund
The seven-strong Vedia family was previously prone to hunger but is among those who’ve noticed the impact of Setesur’s efforts as they now benefit from greater food security.
Mother-of-five Paulina said, ‘My husband and eldest son decided to get involved in the training courses and since then things have changed a lot.
‘We can now eat vegetables that my son plants. They also built me a kitchen which has helped me a lot and they are also helping the neighbours to do the same.
Better health
‘Now my husband is more interested in the family and concerned about providing food and I am more concerned with supporting him in all these activities.
‘I’m really happy with all that is happening to my family and community.’
Setesur’s project, which has the backing of local leaders, authorities and churches, is also working on empowering women and improving people’s health.
Activities include toilet building, improving water supplies, courses about family planning, sexual health, HIV prevention, first aid, nutrition and management of medication and vaccinations.