Sustainable Nutrition for 823+ Families in Peru

In Peru, women represent as much as 80% of a family's labor force while also managing traditional household tasks and taking care of the children. They work in agriculture, tend livestock, and engage in income-generating activities. Despite their demanding work, many women live in poverty, with as many as 30.4% not having access to personal income, a number that has increased since the COVID 19 pandemic began. The few women who do have access to personal income make 30% less per month than their male counterparts. 

 CHOICE Humanitarian (Feed the World) focuses on projects that empower women to act as protagonists in their own communities to open doors to equal treatment and opportunities. As discussed in a previous article, in 2020, CHOICE became acquainted with a group of women from the community of Pampa de Los Silva who were determined to create a new precedent, these women formed a cooperative to raise ducklings despite a lack of initial support from their husbands.  

Rather than individually raising their own ducks, which would eventually be slaughtered and sold when money was tight, the women pooled the ducklings and took turns caring for them. They each made sacrifices—time was spent feeding and caring for the ducks—which took time away from caring for their own homes. These women knew that the time spent working on long term business goals would not only benefit their own families but their entire community as well. Upon learning about the undertakings of these ambitious women, CHOICE supported their endeavors by providing materials and training to increase the capacity of the project. This support included additional ducklings, feed, veterinary care, and vaccines. 

The effects of the women’s cooperative rippled throughout the region. The group’s success inspired their husbands to support their business endeavors. When the women needed to expand the duck pen, their husbands worked alongside them to construct a large new fence.As they grow, the group plans to continue reinvesting their profits back into the co-op. The project became essential to the community as the pandemic caused other forms of income to be lost. These women are now raising their fourth batch of ducks. Today, the group directly benefits 75 families in Pampa de Los Silvas alone. CHOICE has since replicated this project in several other communities in Peru. 

 CHOICE has since replicated the duck project in several other communities in Peru. For example, a group of women in Cerritos, Sechura, also benefited from a women’s cooperative focused on raising ducklings. This project became their lifeline as the pandemic quickly isolated their community from other forms of income and food. Since their community was put in quarantine, these mothers adapted the projects to operate in their homes. They’ve been able to subsist on the sale of meat and eggs from their home-raised ducklings. Upon reflecting on the project, America, a co-op participant, said, "We are going out and creating projects and learning about how to create something better for our families.” The ingenuity and hard work of these women are changing norms and fostering hope. 

Imagine that you were Maria…Trying to raise a family in a country battling anemia. Difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and dizziness are only a few of the symptoms anemic children struggle with. It would be absolutely terrifying to be a mother in these circumstances where the threat is so high and resources for relief are so low.

In underdeveloped countries such as Peru, malnutrition and anemia are a constant threat to the quality of life and nutritional well being of children. Effects of anemia lead to poor educational performance and prevention of normal physical growth. 

Thousands of mothers just like Maria are in a continuous fight to help their children battle these effects and grow up to live healthy lives, but they need help and can’t do it on their own….

Luckily they don’t have to. 

 As of 2021 eight communities in the District of La Arena have partnered with CHOICE Humanitarian to find solutions to this devastating challenge. 

Leaders in this district have chosen to specifically focus on improving the quality of life for pregnant mothers and children under the age of 5. This process has involved the development and implementation of health, nutritional and agricultural practices.

CHOICE has made it a priority to mentor this district by holding nutrition classes to instruct the mothers on the importance of iron specific foods to combat anemia. In addition classes have included creative ideas on how mothers can incentivise their children to eat these prepared foods. 

In order for families to have better access to these foods, the CHOICE team has introduced family gardens and chicken raising. Families are mentored on how to prepare the land, raise the food, and prepare nutritious meals. They are able to grow their own food and not buy it with their meager financial resources. 

Considerable progress has been made in creating healthy consumption habits in the families and communities involved. Anemia and malnutrition rates have been significantly reduced. 

At the commencement of this initiative malnutrition rates were at 22.8% now they have been reduced to 12.1%. 1016 children under the age of 5 have been cared for.

Lives are being prolonged and enriched through these efforts and every available hand is needed to help lift this community out of the pit of poverty.

Please join our team and help make a difference!