Peru is a quickly developing state. Even 20 years back, Peru was a very unstable and an economically weak country. Today, its rapid economic growth and ever stronger democracy does not fail to impress. Nonetheless, the country still faces social challenges which must be mastered.
Kolping in Peru
The National Association in Peru was founded on 15 January 1988 and has a large membership, with 1,329 members who are organized in 36 Kolping Families. Kolping Peru carries out trainings and campaigns to protect the environment and specifically addresses and supports the topics of waste disposal and recycling. Kolping Peru provides support especially in the following areas:
Guinea pigs bring progress
Many families who live in the mountainous regions of Peru move to the cities and suburbs in the hope of becoming financially independent. More often than not, however, they end up as day labourers with no financial security.
The same fate was shared by Napoleón Tan Herrera and his family of five until they met the Kolping Family Sr. de la Misericordia in which various small farmers organise themselves. Everything changed from this moment. Herrera and seven members of the Kolping Family initiated guinea pig farming which soon became very successful. Giant guinea pig (known in Peru as cuy) farming has been popular for 5,000 years and is high in protein and therefore an important protein source for families.
“Thanks to my membership in the Kolping Family I was able to improve my occupational qualification. I increased my knowledge in training and organizational workshops, collecting ideas for my own enterprise. The training helped and encouraged me to realise the project with my own family – in my house and in cooperation with my wife and sons. The whole process also motivated and encouraged the community to join in and support our activities so that the development of our community may advance.”
