Compassion’s work in Peru began in 1985. In early 2023, more than 90,000 children participate in Compassion’s holistic child development program at more than 270 church partners throughout the country.
Peru is a country of contrasts. Wedged between Ecuador, Brazil and Bolivia, it holds dense Amazon jungles, pristine coastal beaches and the highlands amidst the towering peaks of the Andes.
With its beauty comes the reality of living in poverty. The highest poverty rate in Peru is in the Highlands Region, with little access to basic facilities such as improved water sources, roads, schools and hospitals. Unemployment is a continuous issue, and many adults are forced to migrate to cities such as the capital city of Lima to seek better opportunities. As a result, the urban areas are often overcrowded and lacking enough services to meet the needs of its citizens. Gang violence in urban areas are also a primary concern.
Children in coastal regions frequently suffer from coughs, flu, parasites and intestinal illnesses. Contaminated drinking water is the cause of most of these gastrointestinal ailments.
Thanks to you, new church plants and child development centers will change daily living conditions for these impoverished people and will bless the children, their families and this community overall.
Quick Facts
- The poverty rate in Peru has dropped significantly over the last decade but remains high at almost 30%, rising to more than 55% in rural areas.
- Over one-third of Peruvian children work, often in hazardous conditions.
- From 1980 to 2000, almost 70,000 people were killed in the civil war between the state and guerrilla groups the Shining Path and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement.
- Peru is the world’s biggest producer of the coca leaf—the raw ingredient in cocaine—and now rivals Colombia for cocaine production.
Compassion Is Making a Difference
The following video is narrated by a youth who participates in Compassion’s sponsorship program in Peru. He explains the impact of Compassion’s recent work in Peru.
