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Latin America/Caribbean: Bolivia Endowments
Heifer Bolivia began its activities in Bolivia in May 1957 through a shipment of four pedigree rabbits. This modest beginning has grown into an extremely valuable operation. Since 1957, Heifer has distributed sheep, turkeys, ducks, goats, rabbits, chickens, guinea pigs, bees, pigs, horses, heifers, donkeys and mules to poor farmers.
Beginning in 1996, Bolivia went into an economic depression that has gradually gotten worse. Factors such as government-level corruption, the fight against drug trafficking and the Asian economic depression, have all led to the economic downturn. The country is currently in the midst of a true economic and social crisis with high rates of poverty, unemployment, corruption and impossible debt. Unfortunately, small farmers are the ones most affected.
At the farm community level where Heifer Bolivia works, the largest problems are the lack of markets and the low prices for products. In order for the families and communities to survive, it is necessary for them to produce enough for their consumption. It is also important that they be as creative as possible in order to compete in the local markets.
However, in the communities where Heifer International has been working for twenty years, the situation is less grave. These communities have animals and other products that provide them with nutritional diets, as well as income-unlike those producing only perishable crops. This advantage allows them to survive and keep their land.
Flooding, drought and fires have affected several communities in the San Julián area. These families were able to face the situation without leaving their communities because the income from their animals was able to cover their health, food, and education expenses during that time. The families without animals faced a more difficult situation and had to either leave their communities or remain and face the difficulty of paying debts.
Victoria Condo
Victoria Condo lives in the community of San Martín-Brecha Casarabe. She is a single mother with a five-year-old son. Victoria was in high school when she had an unplanned pregnancy. Suddenly, she was faced with raising a child without the support of a husband or her community. Victoria's strong determination and positive attitude helped her to persevere, and she soon joined Heifer's local organization.
Because of the goat and training she received, Victoria was able to overcome the challenges of being a single mother. She is currently an excellent technician, trained in the production of cheese and yogurt. She manages her organization's cheese factory and holds a position of Treasurer of the organization, a role she handles with a great sense of responsibility. Victoria is a dynamic young woman, admired and respected in her community, and is always seeking to always seeking to improve herself through training. Her son, Joselito, barely five years old, attends the kindergarten in the community. He lives with his mother and grandparents, and he has been his mother's main inspiration.
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