Tonight (3 March 2014) Channel 4's popular tv programme Food Unwrapped is scheduled to include coverage of the Peruvian asparagus industry that was the focus of Progressio research into sustainable water resource management in 2010.
“Together with the environment…. In Cuzco, we are adapting to climate change.”
That's the slogan of a new campaign encouraging people in Cuzco, Peru, to adapt to climate change. Thanks to the support of Progressio development worker Alberto Vasquez, the Cuzco region is now equipped with a Communications Strategy for Adapting to Climate Change. Here, Alberto writes about what he hopes will be achieved once the strategy is put into practice:
Sonja Bleeker is a Development Worker in Peru, supporting Progressio partners in water management. Here Sonja tells us about a competition that was run to raise awareness about environmental issues – as well as a unique activity.
Lima, the capital of Peru, is the second largest city in the world located in a desert, after Cairo in Egypt. Yet the Rímac, Chillón and Lurín rivers, which form the main water source for Lima, have an average water volume of just one percent of the water in the Nile.
Lana Johnson, 21, from Kendal, has taken on the challenge to make 7 litres of water last a whole day. She was inspired to see whether or not she could live on just 7 litres of water for 24 hours after she spent time volunteering on an education programme in Villa El Salvador in Peru with Progressio’s International Citizen Service programme earlier this year.
How do you get young people interested in conserving water? Progressio partner organisation Aquafondo in Peru has found a way...
Aquafondo is a long-term trust fund based on the idea of investing in and promoting conservation activities in the three watersheds of Lima. It was set up in November 2011 by four NGOs, a university and a private enterprise, with the objective to improve water quality and water quantity in these watersheds and to promote "a new water culture" in Lima.
Casas de la Juventud was started by the previous government and in partnership with the French government, aiming to prevent social problems in less developed areas. They initially created 4 Casas de la Juventud in Villa El Salvador to prevent these problems.
To achieve these aims Casas provides workshops and talks in order to empower young people and prevent crime through keeping them off the streets through engaging them with worthwhile activities.
As we stand on the 6th floor of the National Museum of Peru in what is the ‘Truth Commission’ (which examined abuses committed during the period of internal conflict provoked by the Shining Path movement) we have a perfect vista of downtown Lima. As you scan the horizon, the colourful facades of colonial buildings draw your attention, as does the rather conspicuous Coca Cola sign. Another statue to our modern day consumerist values.
Whether you’re a spotty teenager in a gorilla suit trying to flog pepperoni pizzas or an elderly postman doing Torvil and Dean proud on a wintery morning, everyone knows how difficult it can be to spread a message.
We’re no different.
When we were first asked to design and paint a mural addressing environmental issues here in Peru, my first reaction was a mixture of trepidation and excitement.
After seven weeks in a Spanish speaking country, nobody should be proud of the fact that their skills don’t extend much further than “Panchadas. Especial oferta. Solo un sole. Muy delicioso”. But, fortunately, this was all the Spanish we needed to help fundraise for those affected by the recent fire at the Villa El Sur market.
Three weeks ago, an accidental fire devastated the market in which many of the young people at MANTHOC work. Though nobody was reported injured, the livelihoods of several families had been ruined as a result.
