Peru
Population: 32,971,854 in 2022
GDP per capita (US$): $6,127 in 2020
The burden of malnutrition in Peru:
- Anemia in pregnancy decreased from 31.6% in 2000 to 27.1% in 2019
- Low birth weight Infants decreased from 10.1% in 2000 to 9.4% in 2015
- Under-5 mortality rate per 1,000 live births:
- Boys decreased from 41.5 in 2000 to 14.4 in 2019
- Girls decreased from 35.3 in 2000 to 11.9 in 2019
- Malnutrition in children under 5 years of age:
- Stunting decreased from 31.3% in 2000 to 12.2% in 2019
- Wasting decreased from 1.1% in 2000 to 0.4% in 2019
Source: Global Nutrition Report, 2022
Bountiful Children in Peru
- Bountiful Children began serving in Peru in 2011
- 51 children and 350 mothers receive help each month as of 2022
- See additional information below
Peru - History and Demographics
Peru is located in western South America and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile. In size, it is almost twice the size of Texas, but is just slightly smaller than Alaska. The climate of Peru varies from tropical in the east to dry desert in the west with temperate to frigid conditions in the Andes mountains. The terrain also varies depending on location. In western Peru you experience coastal plains which rise to the high, rugged mountainous terrains of the Andes in the center. In eastern Peru the Andes give way to jungle lowlands of the Amazon Basin.
Peru is known for being the home of the once prominent Incan Empire, which was then captured by the Spanish conquistadors in the early 1500’s. Peru was under Spanish rule until it gained independence from Spain in the early 1800’s. It is now under democratic leadership and has experienced many economic ups and downs in the past 25 years. In terms of economy and natural resources, Peru is the world’s second largest producer of silver and the third largest producer of copper.
Bountiful Children in Peru
In May 2011, a group of volunteers from the Bountiful Children's Foundation went to Peru and screened children for malnutrition in Cusco, Juliaca, and Juli. They found many malnourished children, especially in Juliaca where they enrolled 60 children alone. In 2013, Chiclayo and Piura, the first areas of northern Peru, were screened. In these areas many children were malnourished as well. In 2014, a few interns from BYU and several native coordinators and volunteers helped screen children and initiated the program in many other areas of Peru. As part of this work, we have identified new areas that have malnourished children and have established communication with local leaders in these areas to begin programs when resources are available. Some of these areas include Huanuco and Pucallpa.
In Peru, we are currently using two types of supplements. "Sprinkles" or "Sparky" is a micronutrient supplement produced by the World Health Organization and supplies adequate Vitamin A, iron, and zinc to growing children. We also give soy flour or powdered milk to supplement the caloric intake of children and to supply adequate carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Also, where available, we employ the government run health organizations to measure children and supply caloric and micronutrient supplementation as well as to de-worm children.
Our Beloved Children in Peru
by filmmaker Ben King of Oxigeno Film
Communities in Peru
Available for Adoption
Already Adopted
Cajamarca
Chiclayo
Cusco Intiraymi
Huancayo
Iquitos
Jaén
Moyobamba
Paita
Partido Alto
Piura
Puno
Rioja
Shilcayo
Trujillo
Urubamba
Considering A Donation?
All donations go toward identifying mothers and children in need, providing food supplements, health lessons, and other services. All donations are welcomed. Recurring monthly donations support community stability.
- $8 = nourish 1 child for a month
- $25 = nourish 3 children for a month
- $100 = nourish 1 child for a year
- $500 = nourish an average community for a month
- $6,000 = nourish a community of your choice for one year
Bountiful's Mission
Our mission is to provide nutritional supplementation to malnourished children and pregnant/nursing mothers as well as to teach health and cognitive development skills to families in the areas we serve.