As part of my trip across America to work with local organizations, schools and communities on ICT and development, I recently visited Tocaña, one of Bolivia's remaining communities of African origins. Deep within the Andean mountains, in the La Paz department, 28 of 30 of the families in this community are considered Afro-bolivians. Although they consider themselves Bolivians, and are both proud of their race and cultural heritage and of their andean nationality, they have their unique and distinct traditions, music, words, etc.

I'll make this short, since I only have about an hour of Internet access before returning to the jungle for another week...

The thing is that during our interviews, we met Edgar, a very lively afrobolivian teenager, who went on for hours telling us the story of their community, of the descendants of slaves in Bolivia, took us around the community's coca fields and even sang some songs of clear African origins to us.

As our interview came to an end, we asked Edgar if there was anything, any message or request he would like to make to the world and to the over 100,000 people who watch us on-line everyday...

His request was simple, yet controversial...

He said "I'd like your help in getting us in touch with nice youngsters, male and female, of African origin so we can get to know each other and eventually preserve our race and not go the way of other Afrobolivian communities that have lost their heritage through mixed relationships..."

I promise to upload the video soon, but Internet access is not available or is not fast in the places I'm visiting these days.

I wanted to hear everyone's thoughts on this issue however. And yes, it has to do with ICT, since it will be through ICT that we will get or will not get nice African origin mates for these courageous Andean kids...

Regards,

Carlos.