Artesania Sorata is a textile workshop based in the indigenous Aymara community of Sorata, Bolivia, that employs local women in the production of traditional textile crafts. Artisans use a drop spindle to weave wool that is dyed using vegetables, herbs, and nuts, and each piece is a unique creation that represents cultural symbols and values. Artesania Sorata offers classes on literacy, and health, and also supports community programs benefiting homeless children.

Spun, Dyed, and Knit by Hand

Each piece is handcrafted start to finish. Women use a drop spindle to turn alpaca and sheep’s wool into yarn that is then dyed with natural vegetable dyes such as herbs, walnut leaves, and the renowned red dye of the region, cochineal. The alpaca used in all of Sorata’s knitwear is high quality—very soft, and very warm. The use of natural dyes is better, not only for the environment, but also for your skin. Artesania Sorata's success in turning age-old customs into new profits has revived the community's ancient cultural identity, which had nearly disappeared after centuries of outside influence.

Region: South America
Capital: Sucre and La Paz**
Population: 9.1 million (2007)
Size: Three times the size of Montana
Independence: From Spain on August 6, 1825
Currency: Boliviano (BOB)
Languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara (all official)

Literacy Rate: Total 87%; Men 93%; Women 81%
Education: Free and mandatory primary school education***
Primary School Enrollment Rate: 95% (2004)****
Life Expectancy: Male 64 years; Female 69 (2007)
Infant Mortality Rate: 50.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2007)
HIV/AIDS Prevalence: About 4,900 people, or 0.1% of the Bolivian population (2003)
Poverty Rate: About 63% live below the national poverty line
People Living Under $2 a day: 42.2% (2004)
People Living Under $1 a day: 23.2% (2004)
Access to Clean Drinking Water: 85% (2004)
Access to Proper Sanitation: 46% (2004)
Doctor to Patient Ratio: 122 doctors for every 100,000 people (1990-2004)

Statistics from CIA World Factbook 2007 & UNDP Human Development Report 2006

** Bolivia is one of the few countries in the world with two official capital cities. Due to a political struggle in 1899, the government was split between the two locations and has remained like that ever since. Sucre is where the judicial branch is and La Paz is home to both the President and Congress.
*** Although Bolivia recognizes both Quechua and Aymara as official languages, schools are most often taught in Spanish, making it hard for indigenous children to learn and move beyond the elementary school level.
**** Although the primary rate of enrollment is high, children in rural areas on average complete about 4.2 yrs of school, while urban children complete 9.4, and the secondary enrollment rate drops down to 74%

While its largest city, La Paz, is the highest capital city in the world (11,800 feet above sea level), Bolivia has one of the lowest standards of living in South America. Since winning independence from Spain in 1825, Bolivia has suffered through over 190 failed governments, with the average government lasting less than a year. The unstable political system has not done much to help the people of Bolivia, leaving over 60 percent of the population in poverty. A history of racism has allowed the descendents of former Spanish colonists to become the wealthiest people in Bolivia while leaving many of the indigenous people and mestizos (over 80 percent of the population together) in poverty. This economic inequality has only increased the racial tension between citizens of European decent and indigenous communities.

In 2005, Bolivia elected Evo Morales, the country's first indigenous president, who has promised to bring social justice to Bolivia and end discrimination. Most of the indigenous population lives in rural, isolated areas of the country where they have little access to basic services such as health care or education. In the cities they face racism. The fact that many speak languages other than Spanish makes it difficult to attend school and obtain higher paying skilled jobs. Thus, most indigenous Bolivians continue to work as subsistence farmers, traders, artisans, or miners - all jobs that currently pay very little and offer little opportunity for advancement.

In addition to facing discrimination and lack of economic opportunity, indigenous people in Bolivia have recently found themselves caught in the middle of the war on drugs. Bolivia is the third largest producer of coca in the world (after Colombia and Peru). Although coca can be consumed legally in Bolivia for reasons such as curing headaches, curbing hunger, or for use in religious ceremonies, the plant is also used to make the illegal drug, cocaine. To stop cocaine production and drug trafficking, Bolivia has been pressured by governments from around the world, particularly the US, to destroy its coca farms. Many indigenous groups have refused to stop growing coca because it is part of their heritage and because, in some cases, it is the best way to earn a living. To support indigenous people, President Morales, a former coca union leader, has promised to allow coca growing while standing firm against cocaine production. In some areas of the country, organizations are assisting communities with the transition away from coca production by providing agricultural and work alternatives such as the production of arts and crafts.

For a great overview of the current situation in Bolvia, check out this video interview with the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and the Institute for Policy Studies. Its about an hour long, but is very informative.