In a country where “rural” is synonymous with “indigenous” and “poor,” UAC-CP generates invaluable opportunities for the long-marginalized indigenous population of the Bolivian Andes. UAC-CP unites the concepts of the U.S. Land Grant University with the traditional Aymara indigenous values of family, community and working for the common good — known as Ayni. Through its core programming and special projects, UAC-CP:

1. Improves nutrition and health for rural people by providing health education through in-home visits and community workshops; improving family gardens; introducing livestock as a protein source; and treating and researching diseases associated with poverty such as tuberculosis, malaria, and parasites.
   
   
2. Provides opportunities for income generation and economic growth in the countryside by diversifying agriculture; increasing crop yields; adding value to agricultural products with on-site coffee and meat processing; and linking small farmers to markets.
   
   
3. Revitalizes indigenous languages and cultures by promoting literacy in indigenous languages; celebrating local traditions; and collaborating with indigenous leaders and healers.
   
   
4. Promotes the protection and sustainable use of natural resources through environmental education; 100% organic farming; reforestation of degraded lands; and an on-campus recycling plant.

The Carmen Pampa Fund works to ensure that UAC-CP has the resources to maintain a full staff of highly qualified educators, researchers and extensionists to fulfill its objectives. Generally, in addition to raising funds for special projects — such as a chicken-raising project, reforestation project and construction of faculty housing in Fiscal Year 2007 — the Carmen Pampa Fund provides more than 40% of the UAC-CP's operating expenses, including faculty salaries and benefits, curriculum development, food subsidies and scholarships.