Most Dangerous Ways To School | BOLIVIA | Free Documentary

We all know they walked it every day, but none of them were like these. The world's

most

dangerous

roads to

school

. Frozen climbing risking their lives for the chance of a better future. Spectacular and sometimes simply beautiful. The

most

dangerous

roads in the world to score the youngest Valley. In Bolivia, a unique landscape where the Andes mountains meet the Amazon rainforest in this remote section of one of the poorest countries in South America, education is not easily accessible for children of the jungle, it is the key for a better world and that is why they take great risks every day in their search.

Their only way to

school

passes through a ravine more than 650 feet deep. The children trust their lives to a rusty iron pulley, fear of hunger and Tiredness is their constant companions at the top of the mountain range where the Kispa family lives in isolation and in the heart of the jungle it is 5 in the morning up on the mountain the school day begins especially early Helen, nine years old and Mariela, 7 years old, has a long walk of two and a half hours ahead of all the children who attend school. The sisters live further away. The girls live in extreme poverty, like 60% of the rural population of Bolivia, but the most Difficult for them is their lonely life on top of the mountain.

All their friends live down in the valley and the long journey to school is exhausting and dangerous. Helen and Malala dream of what it would be like to leave the mountain and its poverty behind. I want to be a doctor, but I put Attalus in this to give people good equipment, come on man, make them healthy. I want my own farm, girl, boos and new things. I would buy sweaters, pants and socks. The sisters are growing up without their father. He left them for a new family. Her mother Lorenza, who worked as a day laborer, is the only way to be able to feed her children.

Lorenza only went to primary school, but she wants her daughters to study as much and for as long as possible. Education is her only way out of poverty. On the other hand, I work all day and have almost nothing. The weather for the girls is terrible but I can't do anything about it. I hope they have a good life. May they live in a nice house. Find good husbands and have happy families. Girls know that a good education is their best chance in life. away from misery and that can open the door to a better future it's six o'clock school starts in two and a half hours Helen and Marilla have a long day ahead of them the sisters call the first leg of their journey the hill of dreams snakes They have often seen the nakka nakka, a species of coral snake in the tall grass.

Snakes are difficult to spot as most are only 7-12 inches long and their venom makes them even more dangerous, causes paralysis and can even cause a death stare, I was afraid of the snakes here and said I want to hit the grass with snakes to scare them away. Better send STDs. Helen and Molly Gala tried to cross the snake hill as quickly as possible. They know that if they bite them. Up here in the mountains, help would arrive too late, meanwhile on the other side of the valley, the Rivero family, our coca growers, like so many people in the Yungas, this is the only region of Bolivia where it is legal to grow the plant for seven years -Old Elmer and his brother Murphy, four, sleep until 6:30.

Kids, it's time to get up every morning. Elmer has to cross the gorge somewhere else where he doesn't have to use a dangerous cable to go. Going to school is great or a steel cable the width of a finger runs from your house across the valley a kind of homemade zip line it's about 650 feet above the ground and it's already 30 years old it's the only way to school it takes a whole day to walk there the next bridge before going to school Elmo has to help with the coca harvest the warm and humid climate of the Yungas is also ideal for coffee and citrus but with coca Elmer's family can make a lot more money two hundred and eighty dollars a month five times more than Like Helen and Maria's family, what should I do?

Help me with the weeding according to Elmer's father. Coca from the Yungas is not used to produce cocaine. There is a tradition with coca leaves in Bolivia that goes back centuries. People chew them and make tea or medicine. It's not that I don't want to become a cocoa farmer, it's a lot of work, smarter, I'd rather be there and build a house and it opens today and I'd like to build some nice ears, you know, custody in a half hour Elmer has to go to the garage the sisters Helen and Mariela can breathe easy they have crossed the snake hill now they are entering the thick forest the girls have grown up in the jungle they know its dangers but also its little treasures after walking three quarters of an hour the sisters need a snack they like school food more often there is fruit and yogurt but when they are very hungry they eat what the forest gives them sugar cane contains a fluid sweet and sour flavor although only a small sip for the long night it's okay dad taught us This is a plant you can chew but it tastes like sugar when you chew it.

It's almost 7:00. The gurgles have to hurry but they still have more than half of the way left. Meanwhile, Elmer and his little brother begin their dangerous path to school. Children, don't forget your backpacks, don't dawdle and be careful, it's a very special day for Elmer, today the seven-year-old boy will learn to fly. the first time in your life you will cross the gorge just a stone in the ground that is all that holds the homemade zip line in place four thin wires about 1000 feet across the valley after 30 years they are quite worn rusty and warped the scare from the police I was the one I most often imagined would do it once Elmer broke his finger on the trip through the gorge it was very windy.

I panicked and touched the cable. The wheel passed over my fear. Elmer normally crosses the gorge on his father's lap today for the first time. time I will hang from the steel cable only more a little healthy I am old enough so too heavy for my dad what I will achieve that dictator thing is not loving what is presented to mr. Elmer, I'll tie it tight, it's great, but Ozzy, but the road must go up here around your back, yeah, with the most pious, come on, man, and the other one is for your feet like a harness, hold the knot here, but?

I mean, and the bag here is like a seat, but I understand how the smell makes it not like that. All of Elmer's weight now rests on the war in a plastic bag that could fall at any moment. Several people in the region have already fallen. his death that way don't touch the cable first a test Elmer's father wants to see if his son will panic suddenly a storm is approaching the sunken cable begins to blow with the wind one although when the wind is too strong the Puli will move slower you don't get enough speed to get to the other side with so much headwind, you could end up hanging in the middle, we have to be very careful in a storm like this, lightning could hit the cable, it's okay, anyone in the zipline would be electrocuted.

Elmer The trip becomes riskier by the minute, meanwhile, in La Paz, at 11,000 800 feet above sea level, it is the highest capital in the world. This is where another long and formidable journey to school begins. The teachers' trip every week. Angela, 63, travels between two worlds, her home. in the big city and her school in the jungle oh boy, I do it all for the kids. I want to help them learn something and I understand that. I'm not going to post this here before Angela leaves with just the bare necessities. bag, one of the most dangerous routes in the entire country, its first destination lies ahead of it, the bus station in La Paz.

Hello, good morning, Ángela Luis's colleague goes with her. Together they run the school and teach the children. Let's look for a taxi. How much 70 Bolivians maybe a little less is that hell there without exhibition this was never good, about $10 for a trip on one of the most dangerous routes in the world, that is a lot of money in Bolivia, the government covers the cost of the two teachers On the way they will descend almost ten thousand feet from the highlands of the Andes to the edge of the Amazon basin. Unhhhh Helen Lewis and driver Carlos must cross the Andes the unpredictable route along crumbling rock walls and steep slopes in the 63 Angela might actually have retired. a long time ago but a thought drives her to take this risky route every week she knows she can help the students get out of the jungle the greatest danger lurks in the sky a thick wall of fog descends on the mountains Carlos the driver is tense he I have seen many accidents on this little holiday road.

I walk through Oatmeal. It's really dangerous with this much further away than early. You never know what's coming. Where are they? There are often landslides and stones fall on the street. The most dangerous part of the route is. Still to come, many people have lost their lives here, back with Helen and Mariela, they are relieved, they finally go downhill for a short and safe stretch in the afternoon, the sisters will have to walk back the way they They are going down now, when they get to school it differs from day to day the girls do not have a clock at this waterfall the girls know they have reached the halfway point Helen and Raghida take a short break the water has made the sharp stone get slippery Helen's old shoes are too small for her and her toes want to play in the water the girls enjoy the waterfall at home on the mountain there is only enough rainwater for a quick wash they can't afford to waste a lot of time, otherwise they will arrive at school too late so much more water comes down from above than the sisters would like we are all getting wet here among the Andes in the Amazon the weather can change in a matter of minutes Helen and Mariela They climb under a rock ledge the girls don't know how long they'll be stranded here or if they'll get to school on time I'm ready great on the other side of the valley the rain has passed Elmer is ready for his first solo flight on the cable steel that his father checks all the knots one last time we cannot remain a father-son team forever the time has come to let him go Good time with my liquid speeches Elmas poor father figlio keep going Elmer is right behind yes keep going, now we're almost done I'm almost there alone, soon you'll fly alone over the gorge.

This trip has strengthened Ellmer's courage. He has overcome his fear of the steel cable. On the other hand, his brother is still too young for this test. I felt like a bird. I flew, it was very fast, they know they will be attracted, everyone will be fine, then I felt the wind and I flew the same way Ellmer's little brother still rides over the gorge on his father's lamb tied with just a piece of cloth from here the children have to advance on foot teachers Angela and Lewis are approaching the most dangerous part of the road to school the dirt road that leads into the jungle descends almost ten thousand feet in a distance of only 37 miles the path It's barely wider than the car itself, the driver stays as close as he can to the rock wall on the other side, the falling road saw two thousand feet of traffic coming in the opposite direction means mortal danger, In that case the car must drive in reverse to one of the rare sections of the road that are a little wider.

I Moyes Nikomina I have to finish every week the trip is a real stress for me but it is very dangerous so I do it all for the children so they can learn something is happy the crosses remind teachers of the constant danger several hundred people have left the road and plunged into the abyss, many on this same curve fall thousands of feet into a crater the water falls from above falls directly below the street if the ground becomes too soft it can give way under the weight of the car and leads those inside to certain death Carlos drives the minivan very carefully along the edge of the cliff, finally The journey ends on one of the most dangerous roads in the world.

Uncle Aaron Lewis has a week of teaching ahead of him during that time. We will live in the school in the heart of the Yungas jungle. There are two very simple dormitories for the teachers that do not compare with their apartments in the big city. Before opening the classrooms, they will take a short break at 7:45 a.m. the school starts. at 8:30 Helen and Malala have crossed the jungle the street in front of them takes another hour to walk to school time is running out the girls have to walk faster if they want to arrive on time meanwhile the temperature has risen to 86 degrees Fahrenheit the girls were walking tired on the asphalt they should be wide awake and especially careful although since the street has treacherous curves and is very busy the girls are slowly running out of energy we get tired when we walk so far we should never do it see so do heat can be plucked from time to time in the puddles it's been a long time the school is still two and a half miles from the girls the road seems endless after a half mile walk Elmer andhis brother arrived at their destination the point they Adam our school in the middle of the valley there a couple of minutes before the teachers are sleeping and they haven't opened the doors yet but that's not a problem on the contrary I like to play a little before they start Classes, that soccer field is my favorite place, Helen and little Mariela run out of energy, but then something really unusual happens.

An acquaintance of her mother sees the two girls on the side of the road. Luckily, they have the opportunity to get there on the motorcycle. on time to school to be safe on the streets They are not harmless here either, but Helen and Mariela are just happy not to have to walk as long as they can travel, they don't care about the traffic and the clouds of dust, the sisters are almost there to his destiny. They rested their feet for a few minutes, a rare luxury, now school awaits them. They are happy for classes to start but also to finally see their friends again.

These are the two most important things in the sisters' lives. Mariela is in a classroom. classes with Elmer and his brother Helen is in a second classroom. The older children of the school are in her room. In total, 29 children attend the school aged between 4 and 4 years. 13 the day starts with gymnastics in the morning until the march stop every Monday at the flag ceremony the teachers announced today the latest organizational plans of the government, for example that the school will soon have a new classroom, in addition Angela emphasizes how much she supports the president the cause of the coca growers then the most important item on the agenda the national anthem the weekly ceremony aims to teach discipline to children at an early age each week a child can raise the flag for the little ones it is a great honor finally After 45 minutes of standing at attention, class begins.

There are six classes but only two teachers and two classrooms, so each classroom has three classes and everyone works on different topics at the same time. In this classroom, Spanish art and nature studies are the first. Six years of school are

free

and technically mandatory, but especially in rural regions, many children have to work from an early age and therefore miss school. Bolivia is the only country in the world in which child labor is legal from the age of 10. What medicinal plants do you know? Think about After what medicinal plant do you know Daniel coca coca What helps with stomach pains?

Next comes the students' favorite lunch. The government pays for the cookies, bananas and cold juice. It is a very special gift for children, since almost none of the families. I have a refrigerator from Mariela and Helen. This is usually the best meal of the day at home. They usually only receive bread and tea. The family can't afford any sweets, so I love lunchtime and then play soccer with my friends. The kids are. especially proud of their football jerseys also a gift from the government each child receives a suit with their name usually the most expensive and favorite item of clothing for children Lewis teaches in the second classroom today's schedule includes social studies religion and math what is 4 times 14 Lewis also teaches three classes simultaneously many of the students have to walk a long way to school but no one walks as far as Helen and Mariela and their walk home takes even longer, so it is often difficult For nine-year-old Helen, staying with the other children at home, she has little time to study for exams, but works hard to fulfill her dream of being a doctor one day.

Very often children are exhausted. Sometimes they fall asleep during class. Many children don't get home until late, especially. Helen and Mariela usually fail to do their homework. Girls love their few hours at school. Many times it is the only time they have to be girls. The way home is much more difficult. I'm tired of schools and we have to do it. going uphill at home I helped my mom take care of my little brother and I have to do the laundry 2:00 p.m. School ends while the other children wait for the rain to pass. Helen and Mariela leave as quickly as possible.

They have to return home before it gets dark, otherwise they could get lost in the jungle. The way home is much more arduous than the road. to school now they have to go up there for a little comfort the leaves of the thick forest protect them from the rain the climb takes them three hours the children are also back home they have to hurry because there is a special ritual at home tonight in the plantation but four years old poor video he is dead tired from missing school again it is good to have a little person that I like to take care of I help him when he falls Elma carries her brother all the way to the edge of the gorge The children can't take the ziplining without his father.

They are not strong enough to get to the other side in case of an emergency. Hello guys, how are you? That was school. There are two cables strung along the gorge. The cable for the way back begins. a little higher and it is thicker here the three can fly together but to do so the father would need to hold the two children at the same time as on the way there Elmo flies with his own pulley Porfirio's little father fastens him to his own body the piece of cloth made after one of the world's most dangerous trips to and from school Elmer and his little brother are safely back home hello mom tonight the family will perform the Pachamama ritual once a year the coca growers of the neighborhood gathers and prays to Mother Earth, her supreme deity, they give thanks for her gifts and ask for a good harvest, happiness and health.

The main video of the child's father builds a kind of altar with various offerings. Helen and Mariela simply wanted to return home. It was a long day again for the sisters. They have been on their feet for 13 hours. The girls' feet and knees hurt. It is 5:00 p.m. the sun will set soon it will get dark quickly in the forest then the girls will no longer be able to see where they are going they could get lost or fall down the slope the girls are exhausted with their last strength reach the top of the mountain they are already home hello relax a shortly the day ends with a modest dinner the girls are tired but happy and I am exhausted but tomorrow we will take the same path as every day the girls al

ways

follow their goal in mind is to obtain an education for a better life away from the mountains and poverty in the Pachamama ritual.

Seven-year-old Elmer prays for a good and happy future when he will one day be an engineer. Elmer's father sprays pure alcohol. the varied collection of offerings Erbs llama wool tinsel and sugar figurines then the family will bury the ashes in the ground that way they send their offerings and their wishes to Mother Earth one day Elmer would like to build bridges for the inhabitants of the valley to that no child has to risk their life simply to go to school