There is no doubt that Machu Picchu has been a major tourist destination with nearly 1.5 million tourists visiting each year. This has contributed to the growing economy in Peru. However, the urban and coastal communities have benefited most from this economic surge, and there remains widespread underemployment in rural regions. In the communities of the high Andes, nearly 65% of the population lives below the poverty level and nearly 33% are considered extremely poor. More than 4 million people are aged 55+ and 1.2 million are living below the poverty line at $1-$2 per day.

Many poor children either temporarily or permanently drop out of school to help support their families, which is evident as we trek about the high villages and farms surrounding the Sacred Valley and other rural regions of Peru. About a quarter to a third of Peruvian children, more than 2.5 million children, ages 6 to 14 work are often putting in long hours to help support their families.*

Basic hygiene and preventative wellness are still a priority for this region and is a focus of ours. The degree of risk for food or waterborne diseases still remain very high, including bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever.*

Your donation helps us to buy local essential items and distribute them to these hard-working people.

*2013 Statistics – CIA