Bolivia

Bolivia has 8 million inhabitants, and over the centuries its silver mines have seen a gruesome holocaust among children.
Even up to our time, the tragedy of the 600,000 working children in Bolivia has not drastically changed, despite the many efforts and initiatives. They can be seen in every city, exploited, abused and always robbed of their childhood.

Figures ? Facts

  • According to World Bank estimates, about 70% of the population in Bolivia live below the bread line.
  • Following Columbia and Peru, Bolivia is the world?s number three producer of cocaine.
  • 37% of the population is younger than 14.
  • Nonofficial estimates mention a minimum of 800,000 children who are subject to regular labour ? as shoeshine boys, porters, street vendors ? often until late at night. 
  •  On the average, 72% of all children have to work between 7 and 11 hours per day six days per week.
  • For La Paz alone, the official number of street children is ranging at 35,000.
  • The highest percentage of working children is found in Potosí at the notorious silver mountain ?Cerro Rico? ? international enquiries have shown up to 5,000 children working in the mines of Llallagua, Potosí and Huanuni/Oruro like slaves.