Bolivia Part 4 – United Nations

I undertook a number of assignments for the United Nations and below is a selection of my favourite images. We travelled to the high Altiplano and on to Lake Titicaca having been in the nearby lowlands area called the Yungas. The variety of people is fascinating and includes “Afro-Bolivians” who were originally brought from Africa as slaves to work in the mines located at an altitude of 4,000 metres. They (understandably) struggled with the extreme climate so they were sent to work in the lowland regions where they continue to live and their African culture has blended with the Bolivian customs. The lowland regions are the home to significant coca production. The traditional coca leave is sacred to the Bolivians and is chewed to stave off hunger and as relief from the altitude and cold. However, it is also the raw ingredient of cocaine and the constant battle between traditional beliefs and production of an illegal drug causes huge problems for Bolivia.