Bolivia

One of the poorest and most underdeveloped Latin American countries, Bolivia faces declining economic growth while drug production and usage climb. In 2017, a national journalism award was given to a report on child sexual abuse—an important spotlight on a prevalent problem. Protecting the most vulnerable is an ongoing issue. Bolivia has one of Latin America’s highest rates of gender violence, affecting women at home and in the workplace. Many children are threatened by exploitation from human trafficking and cyberbullying. Your support is helping the most vulnerable children flourish. Child protection efforts are targeting the threat of trafficking with programs and laws focused on digital safety. As a result of health trainings for parents and caregivers, nine in 10 kids under 5 have received critical vaccinations. The rate of children under 5 with acute malnutrition has dropped to 5 percent throughout the country. And the percentage of sixth graders who can read with comprehension nearly doubled this year. As parents are trained in models of caring for their kids better, they’re becoming more involved in their children’s education. We’re also developing centers that prioritize early literacy and essential learning skills so kids have a practical path out of poverty.