Rurapuk Project, Peru

Paraiso Alto is one of the poorest communities surrounding Lima, Peru where a stunning 90% of the residents do not have access to health services, 59% are not connected to the piped water and sewerage system, 23% do not have electric power, and as many as 25% of the children are malnourished.

With the intention of empowering the women and children of the local community, the Rurapuk Project was started in 2000 to provide employment opportunities, nutrition, education, and medical care. Rurapuk is a Quechua word of the ancient Incas that means "people who help each other".

The project currently operates a cooperative craft manufacturing initiative that helps Peruvian women earn a living wage to support their families. The project building also serves as a community center for the neighborhood, supplying hot meals and medical assistance. Recently, the cooperative was expanded with a new production unit operated by hearing disabled women.

Last spring, WWD-F partnered with AMURT Peru, the local NGO that operates the Rurapuk Project, to expand its facilities and add on additional programs. An adjacent piece of land has been purchased and construction is moving forward to create a 4-story community center that will add on a pre-school, a women's safe house and counseling center, and a auditorium for school programs and community activities as well

If you want to support the Rurapuk project in Peru, click here.

Architectural drawing of new Rurapuk community center

“I have lived in Paraiso with my seven children since 1993. My health is not very good and my legs are deformed. I'm glad that the Rurapuk project is helping me, because my medicines and treatment are very expensive. Here I am happy and the work is beautiful.”

Rosa Puente Vargas, Rurapuk Employee