Rural Dreams in the Yungas Valley

Bolivia is a land of extremes. Beyond the spectacular mountains that enfold the capital city of La Paz, the landscape descends dramatically in to semitropical valleys and tropical lowlands. In stark contrast to the illuminated homes of wealthy city dwellers, many rural Bolivians remain in the dark.

But farmers in the Yungas Valley—located about three hours from La Paz—see better days ahead. Recently, NRECA International and the Government of Bolivia celebrated the completion of Phase I of the USAID-funded Rural Electrification for the Alternative Development of the Yungas (READY) project, which seeks to provide key inputs and services, such as electricity and roads, to rural agricultural communities that renounce cultivation of illicit coca.

An inauguration ceremony recognized the nearly 100 communities in the Palos Blancos and Caranavi Norte regions that we re formally connected to the electric grid. By its completion in late 2006, this three phase project will have provided more than 10,000 rural families, businesses, and small industries in some 350 villages of the Yungas Valley the benefits of high- quality, affordable electricity. At the inauguration ceremony, then president Carlos Mesa said, “Having electricity helps our co un try lea p from the 17th to the 21st century.”

Thanks to NRECA International’s grid expansion efforts, families in the Yungas Valley are creating a more stable life for their families. Mario Yupanqui, a resident of Alto Remolinos, said, “Today we have light; what more could we expect?” Mario and thousands of other residents like him can soon expect that their children won’t have to inhale harmful smoke from kerosene lanterns. Farmers can refrigerate their products. Children can study at night and learn to use computers for the first time. Pedro Alborta, a resident of one of the electrified communities, said, “With electricity, our young people won’t want to migrate to the city; we’ll be more like a city.”