Peru
Welcome
We are glad that you have chosen to participate on a project in this culturally rich nation. MMI has run projects in Peru since 1999. Every project site except for projects in Lima will have charter flights.
Geography
Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador.
Area: slightly smaller than Alaska.
Terrain: western coastal plain, high and rugged Andes in center, eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin.
History
After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980. Bold reform programs and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity and drug trafficking resulted for a time in solid economic growth. However, corrupt leadership plunged the country into political chaos. The government of Alejandro Toledo, Peru’s first democratically elected president of Indian decent, is struggling to right many of the economic woes provoked by the political corruption.
Weather
Varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes. Remember that in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are “reversed”.
Spring: September 23 – December 21
Summer: December 22 –March 21
Autumn/Fall: March 22 –June 21
Winter: June 22 – September 22
Goverment
Constitutional republic with its capital city being Lima.
Economy
Currency: Peruvian nuevo sol (S/.) Industries: mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding. Agriculture: coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish.
When Traveling In Peru
- The weight allowance for in-country flights is 30 kgs total (as opposed to the 50 lb. per bag, 2 suitcases max. allowance allowed on International flights). However, Lan Peru usually accepts the International weight allowance, as long as your in-country flight is within 24 hours of your arrival in country. This does not apply on flights at the end of the project when you return to Lima. Sometimes, if you have heavy things and are touring before your project, it may be better to have a bag available that we could ship by bus (MMI will take care of this when you arrive in Lima).
- There are several extra expenses to budget for. The airport taxes are approximately $6.12 US for each domestic flight you take and $28 US for your international departure (some American Airline flights include this tax in the cost of the ticket).
- Bring US dollars in good condition. Bills that are torn or very dirty are hard to exchange. Please note: $1.00 bills are not useful in Peru – they are exchanged for less than other bills.
- On the middle week-end you will always have an optional tour to a historical place. The usual costs are around $50 which includes meals, hotel, transfers and tour guide.
- Most of the MMI Peru projects are located in the mountains and nights can be cold. There is “no heating” in the rooms, so it’s important to bring warm clothing.
Project Sites
Arequipa
Location: Located at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level (7500 feet), at the transition point between the coastal desert and the highlands.
Population: Arequipa has 762,000 inhabitants
Weather: Arequipa is dry and sunny all year long. Day temperatures reach between 20 and 25 ºC (about 70-75 Fahrenheit). The wet season (December to March) is characterized by the presence of clouds in the afternoon and some scarce precipitation. In winter (June, July), temperatures are somewhat lower and can go down to 5ºC (40 ºF) at night.
MMI Work Area: Arequipa city
About The City: The is called "Ciudad Blanca" (White City) for the numerous and magnificent constructions of temples, convents, big houses and palaces in white sillar stone. It also possesses an excellent climate with almost 300 days of sun a year, with transparent blue sky. Arequipa has excellent food, beautiful landscapes including majestic volcanoes, and the Colca Valley.
The MMI Projects: The June MMI project is divided into 3 teams: a surgical group that works at the Goyeneche Hospital, a clinic team that goes to the poor areas around Arequipa city and the youth group that visits homes for elderly, schools, orphanages and other places to do activities of service.
The July eye team is divided into three groups as well. Surgery is also at the Goyeneche Hospital while the eye clinic has been held in different locations. The youth team has the same activities as the June team.
The August Physical Therapy team works mainly in Arequipa but has also traveled to the coastal city of Camana.
Accomodation & Dress: Rooms are nice and shared. Day are sunny and warm buy nights tend to be very cold.
Services: All kind of services are available (Internet, telephone, ATM, Electricity, running water). Voltage is 220.
Ayacucho
Location: The province is located in the South-Central Andes 500 kilometers from Lima. The altitude is 2760 meters above sea level (9055 feet) POPULATION: 92,123 inhabitants
Weather: The climate is cool to cold, dry and semiarid. Days are warm but it gets cold at night and in the mornings.
MMI Work Area: Quinua District.
About The City: The city of Ayacucho was founded on April 25, 1540 with the name of Huamanga. However vestiges of human settlements more than 15,000 years old have been found in the cave of Pikimachay. Furthermore between the VI and XII centuries the first structured nation of the Andean world emerged in these lands, that of the Wari Culture.
During the Peruvian War of Independence, the area surrounding Ayacucho was the last territory held by the Spaniards. On December 9, 1824 the Battle of Ayacucho or “La Quinua” took place at Pampa de la Quinua, a few miles away from Ayacucho.
During the late 1970s, Ayacucho was the site where guerrilla communist insurgents of the Shining Path, led by Abimael Guzman, started a war against the Government of Peru by masterminding the worst terrorist activities in the history of the country. Now, after more than a decade of peace, Ayacucho and the surrounding region is once again safe to visit.
Ayacucho is famous for the tradition of having a little church on the roof of most houses.
Access To Quinua: 1 hour by bus from the main city
The MMI Project: MMI works in partnership with a local Christian group with ties to the Presbyterian church. Also, we work with the local health centers and municipalities. MMI teams will be setting up their clinics in different villages around Quinua.
Accomodations & Dress: Rooms are basic, hot water is available. Days can be warm but get very cold at night and in the mornings. Be sure to bring very warm clothing.
Services: Internet and telephone services are available. There are no ATM machines
Voltage is 220.
Villages have running water and a sewage system.
Ayaviri (Puno)
Location: The department of Puno is located in the south eastern region of Perú.
Population: The population of the province is over 1'000,000 people.
Weather: The weather is very cold and dry, with an annual average temperature of 9°C (48°F), going down to 3°C (37°F) during the winter.
MMI Work Area: AyaviriABOUT THE CITY:
The MMI Project:
Accomodation & Dress:
Services: There is Internet, telephone, electricity.
Camana
Location: The province is located in the center of the Western Region Arequipa to 172 km. The Capital of the Department of Arequipa. The Altitude in Camana is at an altitude of 2335 m.a.s.l.
Population: It has a population of 14,337 (1999 estimate).
Weather: The maximum temperature on the north coast recorded values ranging between 25.5 ° and 31.0 ° C, on the southern coast, ranged between 25.0 ° and 28.0 ° C.
MMI Work Area: Camana
About Camana City: Camana is a coastal town in the Arequipa Region in southern Peru. It is the capital of Camaná Province and Camaná District. With its sandy beaches, it was once a popular beach resort with local Peruvians visiting mostly from Arequipa during the summer months.
The MMI Project:
Accomodation dress:
Services: All kind of services are available (Internet, telephone, ATM, Electricity, running water) services are available in the city.
Colca Valley
Location: Located at 180 km (111.8 miles) north of Arequipa, the Colca Canyon is a major tourist attraction in the Department of Arequipa. The altitude ranges from 3000 – 3200 msnm/ 11,000 FT
Population: 21,000 inhabitants
Weather: Cool to cold, dry and semiarid.
MMI Work Area: Districts are Chivay and Cabanaconde
About Colca Valley: The Colca Canyon is one of the deepest in the world and is home of the majestic condor. It is a picturesque Andean valley dotted with towns founded in colonial timess. Today, its inhabitants still maintain ancestral traditions and continue to cultivate the pre-Inca stepped terraces.
The present valley population of 21,000 inhabitants is distributed in twelve villages. It was originally inhabited by Aymaras and Quechuas, both pre-Incan people with well-developed agricultural practices. The farmers carved out terraces on the slopes of the canyon in order to cultivate crops and control the flow of irrigation canals. The terraces continue to be used this day for agriculture, which remains the main economic activity for most of the population.
The Colca Valley has become famous around the world among tourists because of its natural beauty and well-preserved archeological sites. However, the economic benefits of this tourism have failed to reach the majority the population which continues to be considered extremely poor. There are several health centers in the valley, but they lack adequate staff and resources to meet the needs of the people.
Access: Approximately 100 miles from Arequipa, 3 hours by bus.
The MMI Project: MMI partners with the local health centers, local municipalities and local Evangelical and Catholic churches. The sites include Maca, Lari, Yanque, Chivay and Cabanaconde.
Accomodations & Dress: Rooms are basic, hot water is available. Days can be warm but get very cold at night and in the mornings. Be sure to bring very warm clothing.
Services: Internet and telephone services are available in the main villages. Not ATM machines
Voltage is 220.
Villages have running water and a sewage system.
Cuzco
Location: The altitude of the city is around 3,500 m (11,500 feet).
Population: The city has a population of about 300,000
Weather: There are two climatic periods: the rainy season, from November until March and the dry period, from April until October. The height of the mountains in the region of Cuzco means that there are areas that can get very cold especially in areas higher than 3,800 m.
MMI Work Area: Cuzco city, Paruro, Yaurisque, Rondocan.
About The City: Cuzco was the capital city of the Inca Empire. On the year 1524 it was invaded by the Spanish. In this time Cuzco was a city of beautiful architecture made in stone with wide plazas, big temples and palaces decorated with abundant gold pieces. Many of these colossal constructions have survived until this day, as well as beautiful Spanish colonial buildings. The province is also privileged with abundant beautiful landscapes.
The MMI Project: The shanty towns around Cuzco city are poor areas where the most needy live. The non-tourist villages near Cuzco have not benefited from any economical development due to tourism and are lacking in support. 50% of the population only speaks Quechua and works in agriculture.
Accomodation & Dress: Rooms are basic, rooms are shared. Due to the cold weather in the high mountains warm clothing is needed.
Services: All kind of services are available in Cuzco city (Internet, telephone, ATM, electricity, running water).
Huanca-Lluta
Location: Altitude is 3000 msnm
Weather: Cool to cold, dry and semiarid.
MMI Work Area: Huanca and Lluta
Description Of The Area: They cities are surrounded by big and beautiful mountains. Most of the population are farmers and they grow crops such as potatoes, corn, beans, wheat and other things in their “chacras” (fields). There is also a good production of milk and dairy products in the area (butter, cheese, yogurt, etc). Like many small villages in Peru, the general population is slowly declining as more and more people are abandoning their farms to look for a better life in the big cities of Peru. There is little investment in the villages and the people have remained very poor.
Access: By gravel road, approximately 4 hours trip from Arequipa to Huanca.
The MMI Project: We partner with the local health workers, municipalities and churches.
Accomodations & Dress: During the project you will lodge in the Municipal hostels of Huanca and Lluta. Rooms are basic and bathrooms are shared. In Huanca there is hot water and showers at the health post. In Lluta there is no hot water at the hostel. You’ll need to bring a solar shower for your use. Be prepared to share your room with another person. Rooms are basic. Sheets, pillows and blankets will be provided. You will need to bring a bath towel. Days can be warm but get very cold at night and in the mornings. Be sure to bring very warm clothing. Sunscreen and a hat are very necessary. Hiking boots are also helpful to have.
Services: Internet and telephone services are available in the main villages. Not ATM machines
Voltage is 220. Villages have running water and sewage system.
Huaytara /Huancavelica
Location: Huaytara is a city in Huancavelica province. It is located at the central mountains of the Peruvian Andes. The Altitude is 2726 meters above sea level.
Population: 3830 inhabitants.
Weather: Cold in the mountains. Annual average Temperature: 10 °C (máx 20º C -min 3º C).
MMI Work Area: Huaytara
About The City: It was created on April 26, 1822, during the Protectorate of Don José de San Martín. Huaytará is a quaint town, known as the Archaeological Capital of Huancavelica. According to oral tradition, the word "wayta" means flower.
The MMI Project:
Accomodation & Dress:
Services: All kind of services are available (Internet, telephone, ATM, Electricity, running water).
Lima
Location: Central Coast, 154 meters above sea level. (505 feet)
Population: Metropolitan Lima and Callao 7'497,000 inhabitants
Weather: Depends of the season but there is a sunny period, from December through April, when many local people go to the beach. March will be hot and humid.
MMI Work Area: San Juan de Miraflores – Pamplona Alta
About Lima City: Called "Ciudad de los Reyes" (City of Kings) by the Spanish conquerors. Lima, located on the central western coast, is large, noisy, polluted and shrouded in a misty coastal fog for much of the year. Lima is the nation’s capital and most important city. The prospect of better work and better schools has in the last few decades attracted millions of poor and landless peasants from across the country to this bustling, Pacific coast city. Many others were drawn to the city, especially during the 1970’s and 1980’s, for the relative safety it afforded during Peru’s costly civil war with Marxist guerrilla movements.
Shantytowns surrounding Lima now contain half the city’s estimated population of nearly 8 million. After decades of hard work, some have turned into pleasant districts. Many others remain desperately poor, lacking electricity, running water or paved streets. In these communities, health care is not universally available and is often substandard. Many Peruvians living in “pueblos jovenes” are forced to resort to folk treatments provided by traditional healers rather than seeking proper medical treatment.
The MMI Project: MMI is working in partnership with the Anglican church of Peru and the Municipality of Lima, to serve one of the poorest areas southeast of the city. Our team will conduct clinics at different sites in Pamplona Alta. The church will aid us in identifying the poorest and neediest people in the area.
Accomodations & Dress: Rooms are basic and shared, hot water is available.
We recommend dressing in light cotton clothes because the day can get warm. Also bring a light jacket because it can get cool in the evening. Sunscreen is advisable due to the proximity to the Equator.
Services: All kind of services are available (Internet, telephone, ATM, Electricity, running water) services are available in the main villages. Voltage is 220.
Mmi Extreme – Choco
Location: Province of Castilla. Altitude is 3200 msnm.
Population: Total population of the area is approximately 1200 people.
Weather: Cool to cold, dry and semiarid. Days are sunny but gets cold at night and in the mornings.
MMI Work Area: Choco and annexes.
About The City: This project is going to be very difficult physically. Please do not downplay the importance of walking and exercising prior to the mission. The following recommendations will help get you in shape for this project:
- It would be best for everyone to walk at least 3 times per week starting mid-August and continuing up to the mission.
- If you have new hiking shoes, you should have at least 15-20 hours in them before you start the trip to Peru.
- The pace of the walk is not as important as the distance, but the pace should be about 18-22 minutes per mile.
- On the weekends, everyone should make two walks that are at least 2 hours in length (approximately 6 miles).
- On the weekends closer to the mission, everyone should walk two long walks, one for 2 hours (6 miles) and one for 3 hours (9 miles).
- On the weekends in mid-September to the start of the project, everyone should make two long walks, one for 2 hours (6 miles) and one for 3 hours (9 miles). That would be a total of one 6-mile and one 9-mile walk in this time period.
- If possible, the walks in the last two months should contain as many hills as possible. I know this will depend greatly on the area in which you live.
Although we have mules to carry our things, pack your personal item in a back pack as if you had to carry them yourself. That will keep you from getting carried away with “stuff”. Also, packs are easier to strap on the backs of the mules. Bring a day pack for water, food and other necessities while hiking.
Access: By gravel road in bus, truck and donkey/mules.
The MMI Project:
Accomodations & Dress: The team arrive to the little villages and we stay at the local school as our accommodation and set up clinic.
Services: No Internet is available. There is one telephone in each village but connection is really bad. No ATM machines at all.
Voltage is 220.
There is not running water or a sewage system in the majority of the villages.