Education is something many of us take for granted, but nine-year-old Omar from El Alto, Bolivia, certainly doesn’t.
In the mornings, Omar works polishing shoes, earning £1 if he’s lucky. In the afternoons, he goes to school.
In the past Omar’s mum, Eugenia Barrera, used to have to make tough decisions whether to buy food for the family or school books and school shoes for her son.
Fighting for justice
Thanks to the renationalisation of the oil and gas industry – called for by the Bolivian people with massive demonstrations in their city – 50% of the value of the oil and gas now stays in Bolivia (compared to as little as 18% before). This has provided a massive boost in social spending and the benefits are reaching the poorest people.
The government is able to give poor families a grant to buy school books, stationary and uniforms. School attendance is up, especially among girls in rural areas, and providing school breakfasts has cut anaemia levels from 37% to 7% in three years.
Improved education
Christian Aid partner Centre for Labour and Agricultural Development (CEDLA) helped research alternative taxation of the industry, both helping people understand the issues involved, and later advising the government on the new laws, which are helping to provide a better education to those living in some of the most poverty-stricken areas.
The money you raise from holding a Quizaid will help to make a real and lasting difference for people in some of the world’s poorest communities, just like Omar.
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