In Bolivia, children attend school only one half of the day. It is not uncommon for a child to have missed a year or two of school or be behind in their studies. Teen pregnancy is high. Public schools are very poor in quality and funding. Families with money will send their children to private schools. Children are not forced to attend school by the system, therefore Bolivia’s literacy rate is the lowest in South America at 75%.

Studies have shown that the mother’s education is more of a driving force in the family than the father’s. And from there the benefits are endless. Educated women usually are working and able to provide money to send their children to school; they have fewer children and healthier children, and finally understand and use prevention in medical and dental arenas in their life.

Investments in education and health for the poor lead to economic growth for a nation. When these two ingredients are together, a worker’s earning potential is increased. The only way to break the cycle of poverty is to educate women. She is the primary socializing force of the family. When she values herself, she is able to make appropriate decisions within her household, community and eventually the government.