Peru

From its desert coast to the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Jungle, Peru is one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world, rich with natural resources. Once home to several Andean civilizations, including the Inca Empire, it was conquered in 1533 by Spain. Due to its vast territory and gold and silver production, Peru was considered to be Spain’s most important colony. While achieving independence from Spain in 1821, the colonial legacy continues through a racialized social structure and an economy rooted in harmful extractive activity. 

Today, the Andes continue to have great mining potential and the Amazon basin has rich oil deposits. Increased exploitation of such resources, known as extractive activity, has led to major economic growth in recent decades, yet the gap between rich and poor in Peru is one of the highest in the Americas. Among the most impoverished peoples are indigenous populations whose livelihoods and way of life are gravely impacted by contamination of air, land and water. Furthermore, Peru is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. It is in this context that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) joins in ministry with its global partners, Joining Hands – Peru (RUMP) and the Evangelical Church of Peru (IEP).

Joining Hands-Peru is an ecumenical network comprised of eight Peruvian churches and faith based non-government organizations (NGOs). Network members come together to identify root causes of poverty and related injustices and to address them in their local contexts by shaping and participating in strategic advocacy campaigns at the national and local levels. Joining Hands – Peru tackles issues such as environmental contamination by the mining industry, the growing water crisis due to global warming, and trade policies that disadvantage many Peruvians. Joining Hands invites Presbyterians in the US to join with them in this work through active mission partnerships that include joint advocacy initiatives and hands-on service opportunities.