Peru Facts

Hola! That’s “hello” in Spanish, the official language in Peru. This beautiful country in South America is home to the Amazon Rainforest and the archaeological wonder Machu Picchu. Learn more facts about Peru here.

five Facts About Peru

Here are five fun facts about Peru:

  1. Peru is home to Machu Picchu, a site of ancient Inca ruins and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
  2. The Peruvian Andes are part of the world’s longest above-water mountain range.
  3. Peruvian culture includes a variety of delicious and world-renowned food. In fact, Peru is recognized as one of the world’s top gastronomic destinations.
  4. Lake Titicaca, located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, is the highest lake in the world that can be sailed.
  5. The Peruvian Amazon rainforest covers a big portion of the country and is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.

Where is Peru?

Peru is the third largest country in South America. The country shares borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Brazil and Bolivia.

Key Challenges in Peru & Our Response

Peru is an incredible country, featuring lush rainforests and breathtaking mountain peaks. But Peru is also home to millions of children who live in devastating poverty.

Lack of Education

In Peru, while public education is free, many families can’t afford the costs required for uniforms, books, school supplies and transportation. This leaves many children unable to access the critical education they need to develop and grow.

Unfortunately, without an education, children can’t obtain the skills they need to generate incomes as adults, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

Our Response: Providing Education & Vocational Training

Compassion partners with local churches in impoverished communities to provide education to every child we serve. We provide tuition support, uniforms, supplies and tutoring.

As children grow, we offer vocational training, helping children pursue their dreams. Through education, children grow into self-sufficient adults who can provide for their families and journey out of poverty.

Dangerously Remote Communities

Some areas throughout Peru are dangerously remote. For example, children living in communities in the Andes and the Amazon rainforest lack access to basic services like clean water and medical care.

Our Response: Reaching Children in Underserved Areas

Through the Compassion program, we partner with local churches to reach children and families in underserved areas. We work to meet their right-now needs, like food and medical care, as well as their long-term needs, like for income generation opportunities.

A group of teens walking outside with mountains in the background

Teenagers from the highlands of Peru hold their Bibles while walking down a path.

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Children eating a nutritious meal at their child development center

Children eat a nutritious meal at their child development center.

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A girl smiles with her family in the background near a small fire

A little girl from the jungles of northern Peru sits and smiles as her dad prepares food over the open fire.

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Two boys have fun in a boat

Two boys have fun floating in a boat.

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A family of children smiling and hugging each other

Four children from the jungles of Peru smile at the camera.

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A group of children run through their neighborhood with confetti and Peruvian flags

A group of children run through their neighborhood with confetti and Peruvian flags.

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A young lady holds up a sign saying "Thankful"

A teenage girl holds a sign to represent her thankfulness.

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A boy and his mother stand near her red and blue taxi

A mother hugs her son as he stands on top of the motorbike taxi she drives.

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Girls smile while enjoying free time at their child development center

Girls smile while enjoying free time at their child development center.

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A young man working at a desk

A boy sits and writes at a wooden desk.

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Our Impact in Peru

Over the years, Compassion has seen thousands of children’s lives changed through our child sponsorship program in Peru.

90,771

children served (and counting).

276

churches serving.

38

years serving.

Children Receive Their First Medical Checkup Through Compassion

In the Peruvian rainforest, medical exams are hard to come by. Checkups are a luxury many parents living in poverty just can't afford. But through Compassion, children in Peru and beyond are receiving critical medical care.

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Healthy Nutrition Helps Peruvian Children Grow

Luciana from Peru has a favorite dish: fish with plantains. And through the local church, she has access to what her family needs to enjoy healthy meals like this one each day. See other favorite dishes from around the world.

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How You Can Help Vulnerable Children in Peru

You can join Compassion’s fight against child poverty in Peru in three key ways:

  • Pray: Jeremiah 33:3 tells us that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift children living in poverty up in prayer, God hears us, and we can trust he's working on their behalf. Join us in praying daily for children living in poverty by becoming a prayer partner.
  • Donate: Children living in poverty face many challenges, from a lack of medical care to dangerous living conditions. You can provide immediate support by donating to fulfill a right-now need.
  • Sponsor a Child: By sponsoring a child, you empower a local church to meet the critical needs of a child's body, mind and spirit as they journey out of poverty. Through sponsorship, you'll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need. But most importantly, you'll help introduce them to the hope of the gospel, which changes everything.
Sponsor a Child in Peru