{"id":5054,"date":"2018-03-08T18:27:02","date_gmt":"2018-03-08T17:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samuelbitton.com\/soutien-a-bolivie\/"},"modified":"2020-04-27T09:42:59","modified_gmt":"2020-04-27T08:42:59","slug":"aid-to-bolivia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/samuelbitton.com\/en\/aid-to-bolivia\/","title":{"rendered":"Aid to Bolivia"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nTexts and images : Samuel Bitton and Daniel Chappuis<\/i><\/p>\n

This page is dedicated to the population of Bolivia's south-east Lipez region<\/h1>\n

These people are poor but rarely miserable. In many ways they are in fact much richer than us. Their references to quality of life are very narrow. These men and women are humble, dignified, and with their feet well on the ground. This is a very authentic, rustic, and picturesque world. However, the majority of them dream of electricity, descent health care system, safe drinking water, more wood to cook, better roads, better phone networks, etc.!
\nOne very peculiar thing, they do not look at the landscape that surrounds them at all in the same way that we do. When some large format printed images of their own land has been presented to them, at first they simply didn't recognise the places.<\/p>\n

Daniel Chappuis travels in this region since 2001, and he has decided to help them in his manner. Both Daniel and Samuel have a great love for travel and photography, and one day came the idea of joining forces
\nand putting Samuel's photographic work to contribution. This web page has therefore been created in order to share the results of their collaboration in helping these people.<\/p>\n

HISTORY<\/h2>\n

One evening, Daniel had the great idea of entertaining Samuel with a slide show of his Bolivian adventures. That evening, Samuel was on for a great show: breath taking landscapes, wild, unknown and rough lands, the perfect recipe to fuel his thirst of adventure and photography.<\/p>\n

And the idea of being able to put those future images to good use, was just as exciting.<\/p>\n

Samuel consider Daniel to be a \"Great Man\". He shares values which are important to him, he has a big heart, lives a life with nothing superfluous and filled with countless travels and adventures in some of the world\u2019s most remote places. And lately, he has set himself a great challenge which has kept him busy for the past few years, and it is far from finished as the task is immense. But let him explain all this in his own words:<\/p>\n

\u201cAn incredible adventure of trek and exchange in 2001 had allowed me to discover a totally unknown area of Bolivia (detailed texts on demands). During 8 trips cumulating a total of 2 years on location, I explored, prospected, and discovered with great interest some of the most amazing landscapes, prehistoric remains still unrecorded and some of the most pleasant autoctones. Contrary to other regions more developed for tourism, the few inhabitants of these areas are starting to build up the idea of welcoming tourists. Feverishly, sometimes awkwardly, they are preparing themselves with the help of some rare NGOs. Unfortunately what is still missing, among other things, is to make these wonders known to the world. I continue my inventory of archaeological sites (600 granaries, ruins, petroglyphs, rock paintings), trails exploration, and encourage the villagers as I go along.\u201d<\/p>\n

PURPOSE OF THE AID<\/h2>\n

For Samuel, the idea was then too tempting to use his photographic work to contribute to his project.
\nDaniel and him, together with Johnny, a precious local friend, went on to explore this region for more than a month, in view of bringing back some exclusive images. Backed up by the locals\u2019 agreement, their intention is to publish these images and reinvest all the profits into this project.<\/p>\n

Daniel explains that \u201cthe ultimate goal is to discourage emigration towards urban areas and Occident by allowing the locals to live more decently. Everything is done in a win-win atmosphere, as far as possible from principles of charities or assistantship. Inventory of accesses, roads (tracks), main attractions; health, radio and telephone communication; visibility, contact, marketing; ecological aspects, sustainable model, modest, simple; self-development; internal awareness towards the value of the local landscapes and history. It is also paramount that the majority of the future tourism\u2019s revenues remain in the hands of the local communities<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Everything takes place above 3800m of altitude, countless treasures are deserved on foot... it's pretty athletic, rustic, isolated, but so unbelievable and mind-blowing. Must be seen to be believed! And up until now (as of 2013), there is still nothing on the internet about these places!\u201d<\/p>\n

CAPTURING OF THE IMAGES<\/h2>\n

From 18th sept. to 19th oct. 2012, Samuel joined Daniel and Johnny who guided him in some of these areas they are currently exploring in order to give him the opportunity to photograph all the beauty of those landscapes.<\/p>\n

During those 4 weeks, it was very difficult, not to say impossible, to cover photographically all the destinations that Daniel and Johnny have already explored. They have therefore limited themselves to key areas and have dedicated several days to each of them in order to maximise their chances of capturing great lights. And great lights they have had!<\/p>\n

These areas include: Cienega and the Condors valley, Rio Seco, Ciudad de Roma near Guadalupe, and Pampa de las Lagunillas (see detailed map on the side).<\/p>\n

After collecting a great harvest of exclusive images from these places still unknown to the world, it was impossible for Samuel to come to Bolivia without going to photograph the nearby regions of south Lipez which are already known, where tourism is already well developed, and where the landscape is just as breath-taking. Daniel and Johnny have therefore kindly guided him around the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve (which includes Laguna Colorada, Laguna Verde, and Dal\u00ed desert) and finally the world famous and extraordinary Uyuni salt flat.
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\"Treck<\/div><\/div>
\"Repas<\/div><\/div>
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\"SBP012421-hr\"<\/div><\/div>
\"Sol<\/div><\/div>
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