May 18, 2003 - US Embassy in Peru: About Peace Corps
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May 18, 2003 - US Embassy in Peru: About Peace Corps
About Peace Corps
About Peace Corps
On December 12, 2001, Peru's president, Alejandro Toledo, officially invited the Peace Corps to return to Peru. Peace Corps Volunteers will now serve in Peru by providing critical support to communities in two primary sectors: small business and health. In 2003, 32 Peace Corps Volunteers and Volunteer Trainees will serve in Peru.
The Peace Corps first opened a program in Peru in 1962. Volunteers worked in grassroots development projects targeting health, agriculture, education and business development. The program in Peru supported over 2,600 Volunteers from 1962 until Peace Corps' departure in 1975.
OUR MISSION
The Peace Corps is an independent agency within the executive branch of the United States government. On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy signs an executive order establishing the Peace Corps and on September 22, 1961, Congress approves legislation formally authorizing Peace Corps, giving it the mandate to "promote world peace and friendship" through three goals:
(1) to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women;
(2) to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served;
(3) to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans
FIELDS
Small Business Development
The small business project in Peru focuses on two components: small business promotion and agribusiness extension. Both components of the project are designed to improve family economic opportunities in rural areas, while strengthening local organizations. Small Business Development Volunteers, generally work in a central rural community or mid-sized town where they provide direct technical assistance to small-scale businesspersons and agricultural producers as well as coordinating with Peruvian professionals to strengthen business groups and organizations. Volunteer work helps Peruvians improve their business practices and expand their market opportunities in a variety ways: conducting market research, providing training and technical assistance, developing participatory strategic plans to meet current and future market trends.
Community Health Promotion
Peace Corps/Peru’s health project addresses the multiple health needs of the country’s rural communities, particularly high-risk groups like indigenous communities, women and children. Volunteers work with community groups, local health posts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local educational institutions to strengthen family health, nutritional and hygiene practices, and to reduce infant mortality. Volunteers use non-formal educational techniques to train health promoters, health workers, mothers, and families to change behaviors that are often many generations old.
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Story Source: US Embassy in Peru
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