A mother and newborn baby at a CARE maternal health project in Peru. © CARE / Phil Borges.Despite a stable economy, the number of Peruvians living in poverty has increased in recent years.
We have been working in Peru for 30 years tackling the deep-seated causes of poverty. Today, our work in Peru benefits more than 500,000 of the poorest people in the country, involving them in long term projects. We also respond to emergencies.
Over 50 per cent of the poorest people in the country are indigenous. The richest 10 per cent of Peru’s population now earn 50 times more than the poorest 10 per cent.
Bilingual / Multicultural Education
CARE are improving the quality of basic education in Quechua-speaking communities in the Andean highlands, through the formal education system.
We have a focus on improving access to education for girls and children belonging to indigenous groups. We provide teacher training and encourage greater involvement of parents and communities in their children’s education.
Helping business grow
We are helping small and medium businesses grow by providing loans.
These loans have allowed businesses to develop new opportunities and have created new jobs to help people earn a decent living.
Reducing child malnutrition
In Peru chronic malnutrition affects nearly one third of children under five, with much higher rates in rural areas.
A CARE project which ran between 2001 - 2006 reduced chronic malnutrition among 60,000 families by 9.9 percentage points – showing success is possible.
Following recommendations from us and our partners, the Government has adopted a malnutrition reduction target – five per cent over the next five years - and we’re helping them achieve it.
