Peru

Women leaders on a course run by Progressio partner organisation Centro Bartolome de Las Casas.

Most people are interested in Peru for what is left of the Inca Empire and culture. Visiting famous sites such as Machu Picchu and taking pictures of Peruvians wearing traditional costumes are the main attraction. Most visitors leave the country without getting to know the circumstances in which Peruvians live today.

Peru has alternated between democracy and military dictatorship over recent decades. Today, there is huge inequality between rich and poor. Indigenous people are largely excluded from both money and power.

Peru has amazing natural resources, but, as ever, the benefits of that wealth are not shared by the majority of the population.

Progressio has worked in Peru since 1976, helping poor and marginalised groups to have more of a say in their own future.

Progressio now runs the ICS Empower scheme in Peru, and has teamed up with Christian Aid to work on a new joint programme in Peru.