Facts About Bolivia

Hola! That’s how you say “Hello” in Spanish, the official language of Bolivia. This country in South America is known for its unique geography, which includes rainforests and the world’s largest salt flat. Learn more facts about Bolivia here. 

Image shows a landscape of buildings in front of a snowcapped mountain in Bolivia.

5 Facts About Bolivia

Here are some interesting and fun facts about Bolivia:

Map of Bolivia

Where Is Bolivia?

Bolivia is a country in west-central South America. It shares borders with Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru.

Key Challenges in Bolivia & Our Response

While Bolivia may feature incredible wildlife, beautiful snow-capped mountains and lush rainforests, it’s also home to many children living in devastating poverty. And poverty results in serious challenges. But Compassion is working to help children overcome them. 

Lack of Safe & Clean Water

Many people living in rural areas of Bolivia have no access to clean, safe water. With no other options, many families must rely on contaminated water sources, which can lead to deadly illnesses like cholera and typhoid. 

Our Response: Providing Reliable, Clean Water for Children & Families 

Compassion works within these communities to provide reliable and safe water sources for the children we serve. For example, we provide essential water infrastructure where needed, including wells, rainwater harvesting systems, water storage and even filtration systems. 

In some cases, we also work with local churches to construct new bathrooms so children have safe places to wash their hands and care for their bodies. Through the Compassion program, we teach each child we serve the importance of hygiene, ensuring they know how to prevent sickness. 

Lack of Child Protection 

Children living in poverty are especially vulnerable to exploitation and violence, including gang violence, forced child labor and abuse. According to UNICEF, violence against children takes place in eight out of 10 households in Bolivia. 

Our Response: Standing in the Gap to Protect the Vulnerable 

At Compassion, we work to ensure children feel known, loved and protected.  Through our child sponsorship program, children receive age-appropriate training to learn how to stand up for themselves and others. We also train our staff and volunteers to spot signs of abuse or violence and how to intervene.

Our Impact in Bolivia

Compassion has supported children and youths throughout Bolivia for many years. During that time, we’ve released thousands of children from poverty in Jesus’ name through child sponsorship. 

99,936

children served (and counting).

220

churches serving.

48

years of serving.
A young woman wearing white scrubs holds a book in her arms and smiles.

Leidy Turns Her Pain Into Purpose by Becoming a Nurse

Leidy’s heart broke when she realized her father was dying from a painful disease. But with inspiration and support from the doctor who sponsors her, she’s turning pain into purpose by pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. 

A young girl wearing a pink polo shirt stands and smiles for the camera.

Wendy Finds Peace in Chronic Illness

After receiving a devastating type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Wendy feared for her life. But through the help of her Compassion center, Wendy is now thriving with the medical care and support she needs to stay healthy. 

Fight Child Poverty: Give Right-Now Care & Eternal Hope

Nutritious food. Medical care. Protection from harm. Hope. These are just some of the critical, right-now needs of children living in poverty. Help us fight child poverty by meeting these needs and sharing the lasting hope of the gospel. 

Sponsor a Child

By sponsoring a child, you empower a local church to share the gospel by meeting the needs of a child’s body, mind and spirit. Through sponsorship, you’ll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need. 

Pray

Jeremiah 33:3 says that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift up children living in poverty, God hears us, and we can trust he’s working on their behalf. Join us in praying daily for children living in poverty by becoming a prayer partner.

Donate

Children living in poverty face many challenges, from a lack of medical care to dangerous living conditions. You can provide immediate support by donating to fulfill a right-now need.