Peru is a country of vast natural resources, immense geographical diversity, and great differences between the very rich and the very poor. In rural areas fewer than 20% of the people can read and write. Yet Peru is also ranked among the world's top ten producers of valuable metals such as silver, gold, lead, copper and zinc, and its subsoil has enormous phosphate reserves. In common with many South American countries, it has recently emerged from many years of military rule, and the influence of the army remains strong. The recent hostage taking at the Japanese Embassy in Lima focused the world's attention on the country's political and social problems.  NEWSFLASH! For Canadian Comparisons Peru Canada Surface area 1 285 000 km2 9 970 610 km2 Population (millions) 22.45 28.44 Official languages Spanish, Quechua English, French Gross National Product CAN $3,500/person CAN $26,000/person Life expectancy at birth 66 years 77 years Infant mortality rate (number of infants to die before age 1) 80 per 1,000 live births 6 per 1,000 live births Adult literacy rate men 94.5% women 83% 97 %   Among the poorest of Peruvian citizens are the families of miners who live on the site of copper, zinc and lead mines in the Andes mountains. They are mostly from local Indian groups who lived in the area long before the Spanish came to South America in the 16th century. They speak the ancient local language of Quechua. (To learn about the Quechua language and culture, or even listen to a few songs, click here). In the main cordillera (mountain range) of the Andes, there are more than one hundred mining camps employing some 70,000 workers. In most cases only the men are given employment in the mines. They earn about three dollars a day.  The mining companies are responsible for housing for the families of the workers. However, in most cases, living conditions are extremely poor.  Housing typically does not meet legal standards. In the Ucchucchaca mining camp, for example, less than a third of the houses have running water or sewage. None of the huts in the camp are heated despite the bone-numbing cold that sweeps through the camp, which is located 4,500 metres above sea level. The typical home in a mining village is a long cement building in which the many housing units are side-by-side. Most families live in a 4 square metre room with two families often sharing cramped living quarters. Twenty families use the same toilet and outside washing facilities. Power shortages happen frequently. Outside, canals of contaminated water surround the homes. This liquid pollution contains the toxic waste of mineral processing, and threatens the health of children playing in the area.  Mining companies are also responsible for the provision of food, health care, education and transportation. At the camp's market, essential foods are often unavailable. As a result, families rarely eat fruit despite the fact that many kinds of fruit grow in Peru.  Malnutrition, cold weather, and pollution take a heavy toll on the lives of the inhabitants of mining villages. Health care services are rudimentary, with typically just 10 hospital beds for 5000 people, and there are often shortages of medication. Education opportunities are also poor. Only elementary-level grades are taught to the children of the miners, and in some cases there are no schools at all.  These conditions have led to protests. In 1982, in the village of Mina Canaria in the Ayacucho region, miners and their families demanded electricity and running water for their homes. In response, the mining company closed the mine...and also the market, the school, and the health dispensary.  In desperation, the 600 families from the village of Mina Canaria - men, women, and more than 800 children - packed up their belongings and began a long walk, called "the walk of sacrifice," in the mountains. It took them three months to cover the 758 kilometers between Mina Canaria and the capital. They eventually made it to Lima, where they attempted to bring their case for the re-opening of the mine to the attention of the government authorities. Once they arrived, they set up a makeshift camp on a soccer field neighboring the Department of Labour, where they hoped to meet government officials. Pieces of cardboard, sheet metal and even straw were used to build their shelters. What solution would you choose to improve the living conditions of Peruvians who live in the mining villages in the Andes?   A) Lobby the government to change the laws to protect human rights ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In fact, Peru's constitution contains many impressive provisions for the protection of people's rights, including the right to form unions. The mining companies are also required to provide adequate housing and services. What needs to change is the enforcement of laws to protect the poor.  B) Go on strike until the company gives them better wages ------------------------------------------------------------------------- When the workers protested, the company simply shut the mine down. Without effective labor laws that are enforced by the authorities, going on strike is a grave risk to miners and their families. They could lose their jobs and their livelihood  C) Tap the strength of women by forming women's organizations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the path Marie-Claire Nadeau chose to take. Click continue to find out more.  D) Use foreign aid to modernize the mining industry and improve working conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This would benefit mining companies and some skilled workers. But many workers might be replaced.    Continue ...