Our Mission and Vision
Companionship facilitator: Jed Koball
Red Uniendo Manos Peru (Peru Joining Hands Network) is an ecumenical network open to other faith and spiritual confessions. The network was formed at the start of the 21st century with a mission of bringing together the Church and civil society to accompany vulnerable populations and contribute to the social, environmental and economic management of their communities.
The network seeks to generate alternative models for local and global sustainability by promoting inclusive and equitable spaces for participation. At the same time, the network advocates for public policies that will shape an economy driven by solidarity and cooperation in the interest of all of life.
It is the vision of the network that through this participatory work, it will contribute to undermining the powers of marginalization, discrimination, exclusion and violence, and thereby promote a world of harmonious co-existence among all.
Presently, the network includes eight Peruvian NGO´s and Churches, located throughout the country, representing a broad diversity of populations and environments. The network seeks to ensure the full participation of women, indigenous populations, African-Peruvian communities, rural farmers, and youth.
Our Context
From the desert along the Pacific coast to the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Jungle, Peru is one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world, rich with natural resources.
Cultural diversity is also part of Peru’s story. Once home to the Inca Empire, it was invaded by Spanish Conquistadores in 1532, and later received thousands of African slaves and Asian indentured servants that were forced into harsh labor.
Due to its vast territory and gold and silver production, Peru was considered one of Spain’s most important colonies. Declaring its independence from Spain in 1821, Peru continued to exploit the resources of the land for its own economic growth and development.
Today, the Andes continue to have great mining potential, and the Amazon basin has rich oil deposits. Increased exploitation of such resources, known as extractive activity, has led to major economic growth in recent decades, yet the gap between rich and poor in Peru is one of the highest in the Americas. Among the most impoverished peoples are indigenous populations whose livelihoods and way of life are gravely impacted by contamination of air, land and water. Furthermore, Peru is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change.
Community members of Villa El Sol outside La Oroya post signs on their land to encourage the care for the Earth. “Let us care for the Earth because we do not have anywhere else to go.¨ Photo by Jed Koball
Our Strategies
The network organizes its mission into three strategic lines of work:
I. Promoting the Care of Our Common Home
Two initiatives shape our efforts to address the impacts of extractive activity and climate change in Peru:
- Environmental Health for Communities Impacted by Mining. This advocacy campaign is rooted in the accompaniment of the population of La Oroya, one of the ten most contaminated places in the world, where nearly 100% of the children have been shown to have severe lead poisoning due to metallurgical activity in the town. Our focus is to secure comprehensive health care for the people, mitigate the contamination from toxic metals, and ensure such contamination does not continue.
- The Tree Fund. This developing fund is used to support reforestation efforts of our network members in order to mitigate the impacts of human-generated carbon emissions as well as to rehabilitate lands effected by climate change. Also, this fund supports actions to protect the Amazon Rainforest.
Women from Villa El Sol and Covenant Presbyterian Church of Madison, WI stand on the hillside above the community with the acid washed mountains of La Oroya in the background. Together they commit to help recuperate the poisoned land, restoring life and hope. Photo by Jed Koball
II. Facilitating Local and Global Solidarity
Three initiatives shape our work in building meaningful partnerships among people of radically different contexts. This work is not only focused on the accompaniment and support of vulnerable populations, but also on the transformation of individuals to become greater actors in dismantling racism, sexism, other forms of discrimination, as well as in becoming better stewards of the Earth.
- Short-Term Service Trips with project foci on reforestation, education, or women’s rights.
- Study Trips to develop shared strategies in addressing the extractive industry and climate change.
- Young Adult Volunteer Program – a year-long service opportunity for 19-30 year-old young adults in which vocational discernment, leadership formation, simple living, and dismantling systemic racism are central components.
III. Modeling the Strength of Diversity
As an intentionally diverse body of eight NGO´s and churches from across Peru, we are committed to be a healthy example of multiple perspectives coming together out of love and concern for humanity and this One Common Home we share. Our institutional viability is a witness to the goodness of God´s vast Creation. Continuing to build upon our own capacities and finding new and creative ways to collaborate is a service to the world that we take to heart.