Peru

Practical Action Latin America

For over 20 years, Practical Action has been working in Peru with poor communities, helping them to use the resources they have in ways that improve their lives.

In spite of its enormous natural and cultural riches, Peru and its people face many challenges. In a country where extreme poverty affects 24% of the population and 50% in rural areas, help is not only necessary but urgent.

Traditional agriculture and farming are the main livelihoods for poor people in the region. One third of the working population depends on agriculture and farming for subsistence. They are not only poor, but also the most vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards. Isolation, lack of training and neglect by the government are common difficulties for many rural families.

We are also making special efforts to pass our experience and technologies on to others including governments, in order to help communities find a way out of poverty. We believe that with our work and your help, this can be a reality.

Earthquake-resistant housing
'Improved quincha' – a timber and lattice frame design with an earth infill – based on traditional technologies, are better placed to withstand earthquakes.

InfoDes telecentres
Community telecentres give many their first taste of how modern communications technologies can be used to improve their livelihoods.

Micro-hydro power
Micro-hydro plants can be used to mechanise crucial tasks like grain milling, and to power small businesses, as well as to bring community and household light.

Podcasting
Practical Action is testing the potential of podcasting to disseminate knowledge for poverty reduction, using a mixture of new and old technology.

Freak freeze conditions
We work with remote indigenous Andean communities to help protect their alpacas and potato varieties to reduce vulnerability to climate change.

Wind power
Life after dark in Peruvian villages has been transformed after Practical Action harnessed the power of wind to produce electricity and charge batteries.

Soluciones Prácticas: Spanish-language siteRead more about our work in Peru on the Practical Action Latin America website

Practical Action Latin America also has a Spanish-language website, Soluciones Prácticas, with the latest news on our projects in Peru and Bolivia, plus videos and technical information in Spanish.