Bolivia's 30,000 Indigenous Friends constitute the third largest Quaker population in the world and they are eager for fellowship with Friends from the North.

Bolivia is the South American country with the highest proportion of indigenous people. Systematically oppressed for centuries, Bolivians today define quality of life through the Indigenous concept “Vivir Bien” a philosophy for living in harmony with the Earth and one another.

Schooling for indigenous Bolivians was systematically suppressed until 1952.  Some of the first schools in Bolivia that allowed Aymara and Quechua access to education were Quaker.

Today the challenge has changed; Indigenous Bolivians have access to public education. However, the cost of transportation, food, school supplies, and lodging for students who often travel great distances to study makes higher education elusive.