Miriam lives with her father and her mother. Her father is sometimes employed and her mother maintains the home. Miriam works at home making beds, helping in the kitchen and running errands. There are 4 children in the family.
As part of Compassion's ministry, Miriam participates in church activities and Vacation Bible School. She is also in kindergarten where her performance is average. Singing, playing house and playing with dolls are her favorite activities.
Because of your sponsorship, Miriam will have new opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Thank you for your concern and prayers.
Miriam lives in the desert community of Pueblo Joven La Libertad, home to approximately 5,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of cement. The spoken language is Spanish.
The regional diet consists of maize, beans, chicken, fish, bread, plantains, rice and potatoes. Common health problems in this area include respiratory infections, malnourishment, parasites, dental decay, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Most adults work as day laborers and earn the equivalent of $175 per month. This community needs qualified teachers and employment opportunities.
Your sponsorship allows the staff of Ebenezer Student Center to provide Miriam with Bible teaching, hygiene education, medical screening, nutritious meals, picnics, homework help and vocational training workshops. The center staff will also provide evangelism, hydroponics workshops and hygiene and nutrition education for the parents or guardians of Miriam.
Sprawled along the southern Pacific Ocean, Peru is divided into three regions: the heavily populated coastal plain; the Andes Mountains, where cattle and agriculture predominate; and the humid eastern lowlands, inhabited by isolated Amerindian tribes.
Once part of the vast Incan empire, Peru has emerged from decades of civil strife as a growing economy. Three out of four Peruvians live in cities. Nearly half are Indians and many are mestizo (descended from Spanish and Indian ancestry). Spanish and Quechua are Peru's official languages. The majority of Peruvians are Catholic. Compassion works mostly in the western part of the country along the Pacific Ocean, but also has child development centers in the upper jungle and in some Andean towns in the central and eastern regions.
When Spaniard Francisco Pizarro landed in Peru in 1532, the Incas ruled a vast empire rich in silver and gold, which soon fell to the conquistadors. Spain ruled the area until 1821, when Peru won its independence. Since then, Peru's government has alternated between military and civilian dictators and reform-minded leaders. During the 1970s and 1980s, the country struggled with inflation, a decline in per-capita income, and guerrilla violence. A strong economy and increased stability prevailed in the 1990s, although the government was criticized for human rights violations. The 2006 elections saw the return of former president Alan Garcia who vowed to improve social conditions and maintain fiscal responsibility.
Map of Peru
Child's Location: North of Lima
