Peru's History
Peru was once home to the ancient Inca civilization. It remains rich with cultural history but entrenched in widespread poverty. Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980 after a dozen years of military rule. Despite these political advances, though, the country experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. Fluctuations in world prices and poor infrastructure prevent the spread of economic growth to Peru's non-coastal areas. In addition, the environment suffers from deforestation and soil erosion, as well as pollution both in the air and the waters.

Peru’s capital city, Lima, is home to more than 800,000 people. Most migrated from rural areas into the city in search of employment and education for their children. However, many residents remain unemployed (about 30%) or under employed (60%). Those with at least some employment usually work in unstable industries such as construction or run their own small businesses. Many struggle to make the steep hillside surrounding the city inhabitable for their shack homes. Almost all the communities in this area lack running water and sewage services. Many have no latrines and must dispose of their waste in public areas, which causes countless preventable diseases. Domestic abuse and family disunity are prevalent. Mothers often depend on charity and government services to feed their children.

FH In Peru
FH works in 17 communities in Lima. FH prioritizes personalized work with children and their families through home visits, children and adolescents' clubs, plus working with community leaders in community planning and organization. FH Peru also works in the area of health, addressing family violence through their Family Action Program. FH Peru is currently attempting to increase their Scholarship Program to provide funds for vocational training to ex-sponsored children. Through FH Canada's Child Development Programs and health and nutrition training, we hope to assist these communities in developing the resources required to prosper economically and socially; ultimately, we strive for the day when these communities will be self-sustaining.

What We Do

• Child Development & Education: Intensive tutoring, parent trainings, school and library infrastructure repair, kids clubs, values formation, vocational scholarships, field trips, sports tournaments.
• Health & Nutrition: Hygiene and nutrition trainings, disease prevention, child-to-child health trainings.
• Water & Sanitation: Well repair and construction, latrine maintenance training, water and parasite educational museum, technical assistance to water committees.
• Family Development: Home visits, attention to victims of domestic abuse, case referral to appropriate services, family counseling and conflict resolution training, awareness raising campaigns.
• Economic Development: Formation and training of informal savings groups, financial literacy training, business management training.
• Leadership Formation: Formation and training of community health promoters, mother leaders, community mediators, community counselors, water committees and youth leaders. Support of church leaders, community leadership groups and school teachers.

Quick Facts (from Oxfam International, UNICEF, UNESCO & MINSA)

• 7% of the central government´s expenditure is allocated to education.
• As few as 30% of children in grade one and only about half in grade two could read simple passages from a grade one textbook.
• 47% of women in the mountain region of Peru have suffered physical and psychological abuse by their partner; 46% in the jungle; 38% on the coast; and 37% of women have suffered from abuse in the capital city of Lima.
• In Peru, 25.4% of children under the age of 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition.
• Peru is home to the famous ancient Inca site Machu Picchu, often referred to as “The Lost City of the Incas,” situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley.