Focus on Peru
Practical Action working in Latin America
Peru – a country of diversity
Peru has three natural regions – coast, highlands and forest; covering more that 1.25 million km2. Peru also has important water resources for example the Amazon River is the largest, deepest and widest water flow in the world. Reflecting the huge variety of resources and ecosystems, the Peruvian people are also culturally diverse. In spite of its enormous natural and cultural riches, the country and its people face many challenges. In a country where extreme poverty (i.e. earning less than US$1 per day or $30 per month) affects 24% of the population and 50% in rural areas, help is not only necessary but urgent. The political situation, where corruption plays a leading role, does not help ordinary people to fight these problems. During the 1980s, Peru was immersed in brutal terrorist violence and economic inflation. Though the economy is now improving the poorest Peruvians still live in poverty: distribution of resources is unequal and centralised in the capital Lima.
community, helping them discover the power of renewable energies. In a country where geography isolates many people (especially in the highlands where Antenor lives), the situation is even more critical in terms of communication and access to information. Poverty becomes a life or death issue when disasters occur. Peru is located in one of the most seismically active areas in the world. However, the effects are not the same for the wealthy and for poor people like Rosa and her family. They are continuously affected by small events that block them from progress and they face a hidden risk of a catastrophic event which could destroy almost everything built by their family over the years. Peru is threatened by earthquakes, mudflows (huaycos) floods and droughts.
Making markets work for poor people
For over 21 years, Practical Action has been working in Peru with fantastic people like Antenor, Rosa, Felicitas and Arcemio and their families, helping them to use the resources they have in ways that improve their lives. “Before I became a Kamayoq(1), I used to sell and buy small animals – such as guinea pigs and poultry – and also sold grain in the streets of Sicuani to survive. I had a very small income. I heard that Practical Action was going to form a new ‘Kamayoq school’ and was calling for the participation of rural communities, and women were invited! When I graduated from the Kamayoq school I set up an improved cattle pen with a shed and I am now fattening cattle. Now I earn 200 soles (about £31) for each bull. I immunize cattle using natural medicines and provide training on how to treat Fasciola (parasitic liver flukes). I am starting to produce cheese to sell at the market. I am proud of being a very capable Kamayoq, a leader in the district of Quechacupe.”
Kamayoq Felicitas Quispe, Sicuani Project: Kamayoq School/Development of peasant-to-peasant agricultural technical assistance markets in Andean highland provinces of Cusco. (1)Kamayoq means ‘technological leader’ in the Quenchua language.
A country with many challenges...
Felicitas, Antenor, Arcemio and Rosa are Peruvians working with Practical Action to improve the lives of people like themselves. Traditional agriculture and farming are the main livelihoods for the poor people of Peru. Like Felicitas, one third of the working population depends on agriculture and farming for subsistence. They are not only poor, but also the most vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards. Isolation, lack of training and neglect by the government are common difficulties for rural Peruvian families. Lack of access to basic services is also a major problem to people like Arcemio. He belonged to the 70% of rural population who could not access electricity, until Practical Action started to work in his
In Practical Action we know that making a living involves sacrifice and difficulty for rural families. Disasters, climate change, irresponsible mining, lack of training and investment and infrastructure are some of the daily challenges that poor people like Felicitas have to face. The ‘survival knowledge’ that they have developed since ancient times is used by Practical Action to build a better present and future for these families. Practical Action has proved that technology can work for small farmers and entrepreneurs. So far: Kamayoqs trained by Practical Action are giving technical assistance in animal care, irrigation, food processing to more than 5,000 poor farmers in the Andean region, in their own language (Quechua), rescuing local knowledge, introducing new ideas and being respectful towards their traditions and culture. G Irrigation systems built in partnership with local people benefit more than 3,800 of the poorest families in Cusco, Cajamarca and Apurimac. G Nearly 7,000 small enterprises have received training and assistance in business management and commercialisation techniques: to improve their production, quality and incomes.
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Practical Action/Theo Schilderman
Building of earthquake resistant house.
Practical Action/Suzanne Porter
Kamayoq immunizing an Alpaca.
Giving access to services and infrastructure
“I never ever imagined I would live to see this change. For so long, we used to illuminate our house using a kerosene burner, as well as press the sugar cane to get the ‘chancaca’ (brown sugar blocks) and sell it, with the use of my mules. Now we have electricity things are easier; my grandchildren can study without burning their eyelashes; we won’t use the mules any more and won’t have to go around and around the sugar mill. In the past, it took me almost half a day to obtain two buckets of sugar cane juice; now with the machine it takes me no more than 15 minutes. Our hydro plant has changed our lives; I hope Practical Action will continue helping other families who need their support.”
Arcenio Cruz ‘Nuevo Progreso’ Pico Hydroelectric Power Plant, Cajamarca
Strengthening capacities for disaster prevention
“After the earthquake that hit Moquegua in 2001, we lost our houses and goods – we tried to look for places to protect our children… Practical Action, a new organisation in town, provided training and support to build new and safe houses. Men, women and young people were trained in every stage: from the foundation to the final touches. We are so glad to have taken part in the training! In the past we had to live in little shanty huts – we would have been soaked by the rain by now. But now we have a home, a nice and safe home.”
Rosa Palomino Moquegua Reconstruction Project
In Practical Action we believe that technology can help to prevent disasters
Poor people like Rosa can learn to protect their families and homes from the consequences of disasters. The work of Practical Action in this field includes working closely with the community and researching their needs and experience. Training and advice is given to communities and local governments to help them to develop prevention and reconstruction plans. And the local governments themselves are given technical assistance drawing on our experience around the globe. So far: G 7,500 families affected by disasters have used appropriate technologies to rebuild their homes. G We have trained more than 10,000 people, including authorities, local leaders and students to be prepared to face disasters and to become leaders in their communities. G 42 local governments have improved their development planning skills, including risk management planning for their rural communities.
In Practical Action we know that energy can illuminate poor people’s lives
The benefits of making use of renewable energies (in this case micro hydro energy) are seen in all aspects of life: children study in a healthier environment, health centres can be improved, manufacturing and business become more efficient; but also families have more time to spend together. Practical Action works with poor families in the research and development of technologies in energy, transport, water and sanitation services. So far: G Micro hydro plants have been installed in different areas of Peru, bringing clean energy to more than 3,000 poor families. G More than 200 new small businesses have been possible with this energy. G 50 solar energy systems have been installed, giving energy and opportunities to poor families in Cajamarca.
Practical Action/Annie Bungeroth
Young boy learning how to use the internet.
Making ICTs respond to the needs of the poorest populations
“When telephones were not available in Chanta Alta, we had to walk for two days to get to Cajamarca city. Chanta Alta was totally off the map; now we have a telephone and can communicate with our families outside our town. The InfoCenter, built with Practical Action’s help, is a place where we can find access to telephone, internet and computer services. Also, we have implemented a small library for school students. At the InfoCenter I am providing training, either individually or in group.”
Antenor Alva, Administrator of the Chanta Alt InfoCenter Rural Infocentres project, Cajamarca
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nearly 8,500 poor villagers. Thousands of young people and micro-entrepreneurs have been trained in the use of ICTs to enable them to benefit from all the possible advantages of these tools in their daily activities.
Work in perspective
Practical Action is now applying over 21 years of experience in new and promising areas of work in Peru, including:
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In Practical Action we believe that information and communication technologies have the power to improve people’s lives
For Antenor and his neighbours, technologies including telephone, radio and the internet can really make a difference, giving them communication, education, health and work opportunities. An internet link also provides opportunities for small scale producers to improve their livelihoods by accessing information on subjects including better crop production and processing methods. So far: We have implemented seven rural Infocentres, which give access to communication, information and entertainment to
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Bio diesel production to generate new incomes for poor communities in the forest. Improved potato production and market conditions for poor peasants in the highest zones of the Andes. Alpaca shelters and hydroponically produced food to help the animals survive harsh winter conditions. Reducing climate change impacts among vulnerable populations on the coast and in the highlands. Encouraging the participative management of forests and natural resources. New technologies for rural communication (including podcasts of technical and market information for farmers).
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We are also making special efforts to pass our experience and technologies on to others including governments, in order to benefit more Peruvians and help them find a way out of poverty. We believe that with our work and your help, this can be a reality.
Further information
If you would like more about Practical Action’s work in Peru, please contact: Supporter Services Unit, Practical Action The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9QZ T +44 (0) 1926 634400 l F +44 (0) 1926 634401 E enquiries@practicalaction.org.uk l W www.practicalaction.org www.solucionespracticas.org.pe (Spanish site)
Front cover: Policarpo Marque harvesting his improved grass. Practical Action / Suzanne Porter
Practical Action,