Peru Country Information

Fact and Figures

Location - Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador

Capital - Lima

Population - 29.9 million

People - Amerindian 45%, Mestizo (mixed Amerindian & White) 37%, White 15%, Black, Japanese, Chinese, other 3%

Language - Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, other Amazonian languages

Religion - Roman Catholic 81%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, other Christian 0.7%, other 0.6%, unspecified or none 16.3%

Literacy rate - 92.9%

Life expectancy - 71 years

% Living below $1/day - 11%

Sources The CIA World Fact Book 2008, Compassion International, www.news.bbc.co.uk

Peru

Since Peru’s independence in 1821, the country has been governed by both military and civilian dictators and reform-minded leaders.

From 1980, two violent Maoist terrorist movements brought Peru to its knees in 15 years of guerrilla warfare. More than 30,000 people perished in the conflict, and, consequently, there are hundreds of thousands of traumatised, impoverished people who need material, emotional and spiritual help. Kidnappings, armed robberies and drug-related crime remain a serious problem.

The successive governments in Peru have been unable to address the problems of economic and social inequality. A small elite continues to control most of the wealth and power, while much of the indigenous population lives below the poverty line. Children are the most vulnerable to the effects of poverty. Of the 10.2 million children under the age of 18, more than 6.5 million live below the poverty line. Poverty and war have led to many children being abused and exploited and the number of street children is on the increase.

Compassion’s work in Peru began in 1985. Currently, more than 47,620 children participate in more than 229 child development centres. Compassion partners with churches and denominations to help them provide Peruvian children with the opportunity to rise above their circumstances and become all God has created them to be.

Compassion Peru currently has 32 Child Survival Programmes.

Over 47,620 children are currently being assisted in more than 229 Child Sponsorship Programmes in Peru.

Compassion Peru currently has 126 active Leadership Development Programme students.