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In Peru, Indigenous Promoters Work with Communities to Successfully Reduce Malnutrition

July 25, 2016

The 26 Indigenous Promoters of Peru, seven of whom  are women, serve as shining examples of community members who take initiative towards being active agents of sustainable change.

Constantly working on improving their leadership skills with a gender-based approach, self-assertion and self-esteem, this group of volunteers has the motivation it takes to bring true development to the Indigenous Shawi communities, which The Hunger Project-Peru works with via Chirapaq (Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Cultures of Peru).

Fifteen promoters, both men and women, consistently visit and teach communities about best farming practices in the face of climate change. They have introduced tools such as “speaking maps”–which consist of a graphic description of the current condition of a plot, housing and future projection–and notebooks which monitor the progress of families’ farming activities. These new tools are significantly contributing to the increase in positive results at the grassroots level.

The promoters also teach women about healthy ways to improve dietary habits, as well as the health and hygiene of their children, with specific focus on  Shawi children under the age of three. Specific concepts being introduced consist of education on food groups and exclusive breastfeeding for the firsts six months.

Lessons like these have resulted in a 1.5% reduction in infantile chronic malnutrition in eight Shawi communities in Peru. These visits serve to improve communications and relations within communities while incorporating lessons in organic gardening, nutrition, animal rearing and cultivation.

Learn More:

Our work in Peru

Preventing Childhood Malnutrition in Peru

Promoting Leadership in Peru