Bolivia
Country information
Bolivia (officially: República de Bolivia) is a presidential republic in South America. The country is completely surrounded by other countries. Historically, Bolivia was bordering the Pacific Ocean. Over time the country has lost much territory to neighboring countries. Bolivia is situated in the heart of the Andes. The plateau (Altiplano) is situated to the north of Lake Titicaca and in the southwest to an area with deserts and salt lakes. Bolivia has long been one of the poorest countries in South America. According to the United Nations Development Programme 64.6% of the population lives below the poverty line. The major language is Spanish, spoken by about forty percent of the population. In addition, 36 indigenous languages are spoken, including Aymara, Quechua and Guarani as the most numerous. All languages in Bolivia have an official status. 78% of the population is Roman Catholic, 16% of the population is Protestant but that number is growing rapidly. Many Indians mix their Christian faith with native American elements. Bolivia has no state religion.
* See also the CRI report for Bolivia in Spanish and English
Partner information
Unitas
Unitas is a network organization consisting of 27 member organizations (NGOs). They focus on supporting and promoting development, thus contributing to the organization of social movements at local, regional, national and international level. These movements are aimed at the general improvement of living conditions of the population. Unitas supports grassroots organizations to develop their own initiatives and small NGOs and emerging movements to achieve results in the creation of the Small Projects Fund, the FPP.
Since 2008 Unitas has experience with return migration from Europe in the CRI (Country of Return Information) project. Unitas was also active as a local partner in the ERSO (European Return Support Organisations) network. Since early 2011 Maatwerk bij Terugkeer collaborates with Unitas. They have been guiding and supported about fifteen returned migrants from Europe (Belgium and Spain). Hernando Espacio de Veda is the coordinator and he assists clients with their reintegration.
Example of return to Bolivia
Carolina (fictitious name) has lived and worked in Spain for 4 years. Her two children (9 and 13 years old) were left behind with her mother in La Paz. During her stay in Spain she met another Bolivian man, with whom she got a son. She worked as a cleaner and did household work. All the time she was undocumented. She lived together with her sister (also undocumented). She describes the period in Spain as uncertain and difficult. However, she earned a reasonable salary and could send remittances home. Through our Spanish partner Accem she received Euro 1500,- on reintegration support. This money she used to start a small internet cafe with four computers. Since her return she manages the internet cafe, while her 2 year old boy is with her. At the end of the day or weekend her oldest child takes care of the cafe. She additionally works on the market where she sells hand made clothes. With only the internet cafe she can not survive, since she only earns 70 euros a month. She went to Spain for the money, but she missed her children tremendously, she says. Ultimately it was not worth it and she is happy to be back even if it is financially difficult to make ends meet in La Paz. She does not complain and is happy again to be a mother for her children.
Contact
Eva van Gestel, e.vgestel@maatwerkbijterugkeer.nl, 030-7551580