Peru’s Challenge is a non-profit, non-government organization that assists over 1,300 community members each year in rural areas surrounding Cuzco.
Many homes in these rural communities are poorly equipped, with no safe drinking water or toilets. The children are often malnourished and are susceptible to recurrent infections. A portion of the 2009 Sydney Latin American Film Festival's Community Support Program donation will be directed toward Peru’s Challenge Health, Hygiene & Nutrition Program for families in the communities of Pumamarca and Quilla Huata.
Under the Health, Hygiene & Nutrition Program, the children of the local area are provided with fresh fruit & nutritious breakfast and lunch every day until school kitchen becomes self-sufficient, daily teeth cleaning, quarterly anti-parasite medication, dental visits, doctor visits and follow-up treatment for students, well-stocked community medical cabinets, and a specialised hygiene teacher supplied by the Department of Education.
Sustainability is central to Peru’s Challenge work, so that community improvements will remain in place in the long term. Every project undertaken is done so directly in conjunction with the community and a local social worker, with the ultimate aim of empowering the community to become self-sufficient.