Project: Peru
- “Kaméétsa?”
- “How are you?”
Country Overview
Divided into three distinct regions, the coast, the mountains and the forest, Peru is South America’s third largest country. The mountain region, marked by the massive peaks and steep canyons of the Andes, is home to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. The Andes are one of the world’s most unstable mountain ranges with frequent earthquakes, landslides and flash floods.
Ancient Peru was home to the Incas, who were conquered by the Spanish in 1533. The Spanish stayed in Peru until 1824, three years after Peruvian independence was declared.
Of the estimated 29 million people living in Peru, about 48 percent of the population lives under the poverty line. While Peru is becoming a force in the global economy, there are crucial social development issues, like education and healthcare that have been overlooked. Like most developing countries, disparities in resource distribution have led to social and economic inequities that favor the wealthy.
Heifer's Work in Peru
Heifer began activities in Peru in 1963 and continues supporting urban and rural community and smallfarmer organizations to improve their quality of life. Peru’s diverse cultural patterns are based on solidarity and reciprocity. Thus, Heifer’s approach to sharing resources becomes a key element to achieve just sustainable development. The program’s strategies include gender equity, recovery of traditional knowledge, agroecology and natural resource management. The Peru program strengthens local capacities, promotes the recovery of medicinal plants and organic gardening.
Today, Heifer Peru works in Piura, Lambayeque, Cerro de Pasco, Lima, Junin, Huancavelica, Cuzco, Apurimac and Puno and has assisted over 40,000 families.
Key Services Heifer Provides:
Sustainable agricultural production: Sustainable food systems; Agroecology education and schools; Organic fertilizer production
Post-harvest management and processing: Developing value-chain for Alpaca industry
Market development: Developing local markets; Developing commercially just and economically stable networks; Organic food markets and enterprises
Technology: Veterinary supplies; Irrigation equipment; Organic gardening
Nutrition: Health services and education access to rural families
Heifer Passing on the Gift Ceremony Dance - Peru
Peru
At a Passing on the Gift ceremony in Peru, members of the community performed this traditional dance.
Pigs, Potatoes and Progress in Puno, Peru
Peru
It’s cold. Really, really cold in this corner of the world.
Passing on the Gift in Puno, Peru
Peru
Heifer has relocated me from the headquarters in Little Rock, where I’m from, to their office in Lima, Peru, for one year as part of a pilot development program.
