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MADRE Programs in Peru

MADRE and CHIRAPAQ

In Peru, MADRE works with CHIRAPAQ (The Center for Indigenous People's Culture of Peru), which investigates violations of Indigenous Peoples' rights, offers women and youth human rights trainings and works to document and preserve Indigenous culture.

MADRE provides technical and production support to CHIRAPAQ's Voices for Justice: Human Rights Radio, a bilingual (Spanish/Quechua) radio program through which young Indigenous women educate people in the Ayacucho Province about human rights and receive training in radio production. Voices for Justice programs reach 70,000 people in the Ayacucho region, covering topics such as sexual health, reproductive health, the prevention of domestic violence, women's rights, political participation, racism and discrimination. MADRE has helped CHIRAPAQ make pre-recorded programs available to community radio stations in rural areas outside of Ayacucho, increasing the programs' availability to an additional 500,000 potential listeners.

MADRE has also supported CHIRAPAQ's sexual and reproductive health trainings, which put health concerns in the context of human rights and concentrate on bringing an Indigenous perspective to health services. Through these trainings, CHIRAPAQ has developed a "Health Diagnosis" for the region, outlining the concerns of Indigenous women and girls and developing a list of 93 traditional plants that have uses as medicines.

MADRE and CHIRAPAQ, in cooperation with the Carving Studio and Sculpture Center in Vermont, have organized one-month sculpture workshops and an exchange program for Indigenous youth from impoverished rural communities. These workshops give the young participants a rare opportunity for creative self-expression and recognition. Each year, their work is exhibited at a local gallery in a ceremony that is attended by hundreds of community members. View photos of the artists and their sculptures!

MADRE and LUNDU

In 2003, MADRE began working with LUNDU, the Center of Afro-Peruvian Studies and Promotion, an Afro-Peruvian youth organization. MADRE supports LUNDU's trainings and art education programs; community and cultural events; and activism and networking.

Art Education

MADRE supports an on-going LUNDU workshop called "Afro Women and Identity: Myths and Realities." Through this workshop, young Afro-Peruvian women use masks to challenge stereotypical images of Afro-Peruvians and connect to Afro-Peruvian history. The traditional significance of masks makes this project a powerful way for young people to express their emotions and ideas about racism in Peruvian society and build positive self-images.

MADRE also supports LUNDU's workshops on sexual health and reproductive health. Using the same methodology of mask-making as a way to explore identity and emotion, these workshops provide young people with information about sexual health and reproductive health in a safe and open setting.

Community and cultural events

MADRE supports LUNDU's work in community schools, and has provided supplies and support for community events to promote Afro-Peruvian culture. MADRE also supports a magazine published by LUNDU, which collects the writings of young people and elders in order to foster inter-generational exchange.

Activism and Networking

MADRE aids LUNDU's efforts to bring to light the discrimination faced by Peru's Afro-descendant youth and form ties with the larger movement for social justice in Peru.