South America – the need for aid and development

South America does not suffer problems of drought and famine as in Africa. However, poverty and inequality are major issues for South America. Often, environmental and political factors are involved. The continent is especially prone to natural disasters including earthquakes and the effects of El Niño, and governments are often unable to take the necessary measures to protect communities. In addition, terrorism and political corruption have often hindered real development throughout South America.

Peru – profile

Poverty

30% of Peruvians live below the poverty line,

most of which are indigenous peoples.

Inequality

There are still huge differences between the lifestyles of the rich minority and the poor in Peru. A small elite of Spanish descent controls most of Peru’s wealth and political power, while the indigenous peoples are largely excluded from both (although Peru’s new president is of indigenous descent).

Terrorism

Terrorism in Peru reached its height during the 80’s with the growth of the Shining Path and Tupac Amaru guerrilla groups. Since the arrest of the guerrilla leaders in 1992, terrorism has been much less of a problem. However, small pockets of terrorist activity remain, and violence, murder, armed robbery and gang warfare is still a problem.

Natural disasters

Major earthquakes hit Peru in 1991, and then in June 2001 (the latter affected a large part of Southern Peru). In 1997-98 Peru was left devasted by a period of massive flooding brought on by El Niño. Homes and roads were destroyed, potable water became scarce, and the population suffered epidemics of cholera and other infectious diseases. These events hit the economy hard, and have further slowed development.

External debt

Peru’s foreign debt stands at 19 billion dollars, some 35% of GDP.

The Church

Over 50% of Peruvians (including most of the poor) practice a kind of folk Catholicism. However, many are finding a new faith, and growth in the evangelical Church has been greatest among the poorer people. In the 1993 census, protestant evangelicals accounted for about 7% of the population.

The work of Latin Link in South America

Latin Link is an international fellowship with a commitment to world mission, especially in Latin America, responding to the real needs of different Latin American countries.

Latin Link missionaries in Peru are involved in a variety of ministry areas:

Providing support for street children

Supporting shanty town churches

Planting new churches

Leading marriage workshops

Prison work

Health and medical work

Outreach and evangelism work

Leading Alpha discipleship courses

Providing biblical and theological training

Training Christian leaders

Teaching English

Running a ‘Rainbow Home’ for abandoned babies

Running children’s clubs and Sunday schools

Martin’s part in the work

Martin Bone will be joining the Latin Link Peru team in 2002.

He will be based in the jungle town of Moyobamba in Northern Peru, working with a local organisation called the Luke Society.

Moyobamba is a poor town that suffered two earthquakes in the last decade, causing increased poverty and setback. There are many villages in the surrounding rural area that are affected most by poverty. Problems include lack of adequate maternity care and high infant mortality, malnutrition in children, and disease caused by dirty water. Many villages still do not have clean water supply systems.

Martin’s work will involve:

• Working with villagers of four communities, to promote good sanitation and use of clean water.

• Coordinating water supply projects: assisting villagers in finding sources of clean water near to their village, obtaining finance, and planning and building gravity feed water supply systems.

• Overseeing projects to promote the construction and improvement of pit latrines.

• Carrying out workshops with villagers to train and assist them in undertaking environmental protection initiatives (e.g. tree planting projects; village planning).

• Working with other team members of the Luke Society on a ‘Community Evangelism’ project, to carry out activities to share the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ with villagers, and to share with and support Christians in the villages.

Can you help?

Martin Bone will be going to Peru for three years. He is seeking financial support, through sponsorship, to enable him to live and work in Peru during this period.

For the three years, Martin needs financial support to cover his salary, rent, health and travel costs, and pension provision, and to cover the costs of support and administration services given him by Latin Link.

Martin is seeking to gain sponsorship to cover the three years, primarily from individual supporters. He needs a total of £11,600 per annum to cover the costs. He therefore needs, for example, 38 sponsors giving an average of £25 per month.

All contributions will be very gratefully accepted by Latin Link to help support Martin’s work. You can support the work by making a one-off contribution, or by becoming a sponsor and giving a certain amount per month. Please ask for details about regular giving.

Please support the work also by asking to receive newsletters from Martin, and in praying for the work.

Your support will help support projects to bring clean water to poor families living in the region of Moyobamba. It will help support hygiene and sanitation work and projects aimed at teaching villagers about environmental protection. It will also help support evangelism projects, helping people to receive and understand the word of God, and to learn about God’s love for them.

Please email either Latin Link (ukoffice@latinlink.org) or Martin Bone (martinbone@hotmail.com) if you would like any further information.