American British International Association of La Paz

Home
Fair News
Who We Are
Projects

• Awicha Project
• Luz de Esperanza
• Comedor Popular
• The Children's Hospital

Membership
Events
Club Activities
Fundraising
News
Contact Us
Links

The Awicha Project

ABIA provided funds for the Awicha Project, an organization of elderly Aymara women, in the Cupini section of the city of La Paz, Bolivia. Founded in 1985, the Awicha organization is independent from government oversight and aid. ABIA has donated money to help the group build a community Green House.

The Cupini area is situated 3,000 meters above sea level in the Andean region of Bolivia.

According to the Awichas, as Aymara women age they experience loss of income due to loss of permanent work, a lack of support from their children, and ethnic discrimination. Their organization seeks to build community enterprises whereby elderly women can earn a living and support themselves. The Awichas make and sell bread, ice cream, knitted goods made from alpaca wool, and operate two food kitchens. In October 2004, ABIA partially funded the contruction of a Green House where the Awichas grow herbs for the production of their herbal medicines. Medicines are sold in the local markets.

The Greenhouse Project was supported by ABIA and student volunteers from the American Cooperative School in La Paz.

The Aymara word
"AWICHA"
means
Aymara elderly women