Summary
Highlights
In Bolivia's Yungas Valley, where the Andes meet the Amazon, education is a dangerous pursuit for children. Nine-year-old Helen and seven-year-old Mariela Kispe face a two-and-a-half-hour walk every day, living in extreme poverty. Their journey is fraught with risks, including venomous snakes and the treacherous terrain of the jungle. Their mother, Lorenza, a day laborer, emphasizes education as their only escape from poverty, even though it means they must endure a solitary life on a mountaintop, far from friends and amenities.
On the other side of the valley, Elmer, aged seven, and his younger brother, Murphy, have their own dangerous commute. They are coca farmers, earning more than the Kyspa family, but Elmer's journey to school involves crossing a 650-foot deep gorge via a 30-year-old, rusty zip line. He dreams of becoming an engineer, building houses and bridges, so no one has to risk their lives on such a precarious route. Today is particularly significant as Elmer will attempt to cross the gorge alone for the first time, a test of courage.
Meanwhile, in La Paz, the capital, 63-year-old Angela, a teacher, commutes weekly to the school in the jungle. Her journey involves navigating one of the most dangerous roads in the country, descending nearly 10,000 feet through crumbling rock faces and thick fog. Despite the constant danger, Angela is driven by her desire to help the children escape their harsh realities through education. The road is barely wider than the car, with sheer drops of thousands of feet, and the risk of landslides or falling into the abyss is ever-present.
Helen and Mariela, after surviving a sudden downpour, finally reach the school, hitchhiking the last part on a motorbike as they run out of energy. Elmer, having bravely completed his solo zipline crossing, arrives at school early, excited to play soccer. The school, located in the heart of the Yungas jungle, provides a simple but vital education for 29 children aged 4 to 13. The teachers, Angela and Lewis, rotate between two classrooms, each teaching three different age groups simultaneously. Lunch, sponsored by the government, is a special treat for the children, often their best meal of the day.
After school, the journey home for Helen and Mariela is even more arduous, as it involves a three-hour uphill climb, often in the dark. Elmer and his brother also return home, performing the Pachamama ritual with their family. This annual ceremony involves offerings to Mother Earth for a good harvest, health, and happiness. Elmer dreams of being an engineer to build bridges, ensuring no child has to face such dangerous commutes. Helen and Mariela also harbor dreams of a life free from poverty, fueled by their determination to get an education.