Orange cares has a vested interest in isolated villages in the secluded mountainous regions of Cusco. During the height of covid, Peru recorded the highest rate of cumulative deaths internationally. These underserved regions were unfortunately the hardest hit both economically and in mortality rates. This was largely due to a lack of good nutritional intake and sound basic hygiene practices. As an organization our aim is to effectively address this by running workshops focused on hygiene, nutrition, women´s reproductive health, family planning and building self-esteem and self-reliance within women.
Your involvement
- Young ladies navigating puberty
- One of the biggest issues facing young girls in these regions is the widely accepted cultural norm of being married off at a young age and sometimes to men significantly older them.
- Puberty begins between the ages of 8 and 13 and lasts several years. Some of these girls may find themselves married and pregnant at the tender ages of 12 and 13
- They go through physical and emotional changes that can be both challenging and exciting.
- We run workshops that gives them as much information as possible, so that they are well prepared and informed to navigate this stage of their lives.
- We also engage in conversations with a trusted adult that can help them at this time.
- Additionally, we hold sexual education and family planning workshops
- Abortion is illegal in Peru and therefore understanding the different forms of contraceptives and how to access them helps curb the continuously rising numbers of teenage pregnancy.
- When possible we have professionals on site to have those uncomfortable sex talks because schools here do not include sex ed in the curriculum and it is normally a taboo subject at home.
- Self-esteem. We´re all aware how sensitive we all are at that age, so having healthy role models to build our self-esteem is paramount. We always welcome volunteers to assist in boosting the youth´s self confidence and sharing their knowledge and skills. Imparting knowledge in what a healthy relationship should look like and being able to spot and get out of an abusive relationship.
- There are supplies that are of prime importance to the success of our workshops, namely, sanitary pads, condoms and other products directly linked to reproductive health.
- We also include young boys, because they are just the other side of exactly the same coin. So we always welcome men that can encourage, mentor and support these young men into becoming productive and well adjusted members of society.
- Nutrition and hygiene workshops
- Simply put, we want to play our part in preventing many avoidable health problems and easily communicable diseases.
- Take part in our workshops that conducts classes on healthy eating, what´s contained in a healthy plate and the importance of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and legumes. What might surprise many people is that Peru is home to some of the most affordable and organic fruits and vegetables in the world. It is also one of the biggest producers of super grains like quinoa and kiwicha. Unfortunately, the influence of outside cuisine has made rice the most consumed food in the country and its usually not accompanied by nutritious sides.
- Fizzy drinks have taken over most of the world, especially South America. This is a real shame because Peru is home to some of the most delicious and nutritious home brewed beverages like chicha morada, emoliente and many others. Here we try to show them that sticking to their roots is actually the best thing for their health.
- Proper food preparation is also a great concern. Food cross contamination is common and sometimes proper hygiene practices are not followed.
- We teach basic hygiene practices, like washing your hands with soap after using the bathroom, brushing your teeth daily and thoroughly boiling water before drinking.
- The Andes are at extremely high elevations, what that means is that there are high levels of ultraviolet radiation. This can lead to skin damage and possibly cancer. When you visit the mountains, you will find the children with very red cheeks. This is not a good thing, this caused by over exposure to solar radiation.
- These trips require a lot of supplies like toothbrushes, soap, sunscreen and so much more. Affordability is definitely one of the biggest reasons as to why hygiene is lacking.
- Women´s reproductive health and family planning
- We cannot stress enough the importance of women taking care of their reproductive health.
- Isolated communities do not have easy access to clinics, never mind dedicated women´s clinics.
- What that means is that during pregnancy they don´t have access to pre-natal vitamins, antenatal care, crucial immunizations and the proper education in infant care.
- Postnatal care is also lacking, they don´t get educated in dealing with the required nutritional intake to support a growing infant and of cause any medical issues that could arise in mommy and child.
- Family planning is not highly advocated in adults either. The use of contraceptives within married couples is not a social conversation and comes with its own stigmas. Some of these families already have a lot of kids and cannot take the financial strain of more children.
- The lack of family planning also means the spread of STI´s is common and they usually go undetected and untreated. We advocate the use of protection and educate families on various forms of contraceptives.
