Peru
Children in the poorest areas of Peru are 10 to 12 times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than the children of the richest 20%.
- We’ve improved the quality of education for 25,000 children
- We helped 40,000 children take part in events, media work, lobbying and advocacy activities during the Global Action Week for the Right to Education
Save the Children in Peru
We began working in Peru in 1980. We help children to get a good education, to grow up without fear of violence, and to have a say in decisions that affect their lives. Last year we improved the quality of education for 25,000 children.
We’re raising the quality of education for all pupils.
Almost all children start primary school but nearly a third of children living in towns and almost half of those in rural areas end up dropping out. Together with children, teachers and parents, we’ve developed standards to make clear what a quality education means, so that they will be better able to hold the system to account.
Nearly 90% of children with disabilities don’t attend school. We’re working to ensure that children with disabilities have access to quality basic education, and that national and regional governments implement the law on inclusive education.
We’re keeping children safe from violence
In an effort to ensure that children are raised by parents and teachers using positive discipline we’re part of the ‘Good Treatment’ movement, which is arguing for a law banning physical punishment and policies that will ensure the law is implemented.
In the past year, Congress made a multi-party declaration to end physical and humiliating punishment, in response to lobbying by networks of child-led organisations and organisations for the rights of the child.
HIV and AIDS
It’s estimated that 0.6% of Peruvians are infected with HIV, mostly adults aged between 24 and 35. Over the past seven years we’ve worked with young people in schools to prevent the further spread of HIV and AIDS.
We’re now improving access to services for children with HIV and AIDS and working with the staff providing those services. In the coming year, we’re supporting six health institutes to provide care to children affected by HIV and AIDS and their families.
Learn more about our work in Peru, download the country brief (PDF 78KB).
Read a recent (January 2010) Guardian article on the difficulties facing children in communities we've been working with in the Peruvian highlands. Climate change is making winters in these mountains even harsher and families are faced with tough choices that jeopardise their children's survival.
Speak Spanish? Check out Save the Children in Peru's website.
Peru related news stories
- Friday 17 August 2007 Severe cold threatens children's lives in Peru
- Winter temperatures and high humidity are endangering the lives of thousands of children and their families whose homes have been destroyed by the Peru earthquake.
- Friday 14 September 2007 Peru earthquake
- Save the Children's relief efforts continue in Peru as families work toward recovery.
- Friday 9 November 2007 Exclusive Testino Diana print on view ahead of charity auction
- One of photographer Mario Testino's most renowned prints of Diana, Princess of Wales, has been put on show to the public before being auctioned on the 20 November.
