The history of mining, and mining labor movements, is intricately woven into almost all parts of Bolivian history. The story of miners in Bolivia since colonization has been one of struggle and organization in order to achieve better working conditions and a reasonable standard of living. Despite this struggle it has been in large part a story of exploitation. While studying in the Culture and Development program with the School of International Training based in Cochabamba Bolivia I have had the opportunity to study the history of the mines. I have had the opportunity to speak with miners, and ex-miners, who have lived lives of hard work and fought to achieve better working conditions. Over the course of the program I was able to visit a number of different mining centers in Bolivia, and speak to miners in Siglo XX, Catavi, Potosí, Oruro, and Uncía. The stories and oral histories these miners and organizers shared, amazed and inspired me to study the labor movements of the 1960s and 1970s in the mining center of Llallagua, Bolivia in more depth during my independent study project.

            I traveled and spent the majority of my research time in the mining community of Llallagua, the site of the richest tin mines in Bolivia, and many speculate the world. While there, I interviewed current and former mine union leaders, entered the mines and spoke with miners, as well as conducted academic research in the library of the National University of Siglo XX pertaining to the labor movements. By collecting oral histories, and testimonials, I attempted to personalize the history which I had read so much about in academic books and periodicals. The experience of actually meeting and hearing the story of the labor movements, reinforced for me, how important it is to remember the struggles of past generations in the present day.

            With this state of mind I set out to write and illustrate a book for children which captures the spirit and history of these heroic struggles. I wanted to present this information in a accessible manner, in which children would be able to learn an essential piece of history while enjoying a story of a young boy and his grandfather. This book is just one piece of a larger project aimed at publishing books for children which intertwine Bolivian culture and history with children's stories. The aim of this program is to give back to the communities in which we study here in Bolivia, and has the long term goal of reciprocity. After publication of this book, for each copy sold, one will be donated to a school or library for children here in Bolivia.

    At this stage, I am in the process of finalizing the book for publishing, and attempting to raise money in order to cover the initial costs of printing. Any help that you could lend to the production and printing of this work would be greatly appreciated.

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