Living in Peru : your everyday companion

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The Peru's Production Minister, Mercedes Araoz, reported that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will invest S/. 70 million soles (almost US $23.7 million dollars) in the construction of 6 new docks along the Peruvian coast.

The Minister stressed that JICA’s contribution is would finance almost 80% of the resources needed for these works.

She also announced that the Production Ministry is elaborating the technical files of the docks, including the study on environmental impact, since the authorities intend to finish this work by the end of the year.

One of the first docks to be built is located one kilometer away from the done in Pucusana, in the area called Grano de Oro (south of Lima.)

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

In order to enhance the security and to avoid bothersome paperwork and administrative procedures, the National Registry of Identity and Civil Status (Reniec has just announced the launch of the electronic National Document of Identity (DNI in Spanish.)

This new format of the DNI may be requested at the same cost as the current one since May 2010, according to Reniec.

The new document will be made of polycarbonate and will also offer multiple benefits, such as authentication of identity in electronic transactions and the use of digital signatures and certificates.

The electronic DNI will also have a technology similar to that of credit cards and will be capable to store information in a chip, including the fingerprints, so make it more secure.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Peruvians living abroad will not have more troubles to renew a Class A Category 1 driver's license, thanks to the international agreement signed this afternoon in Torre Tagle Palace by Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde, and Transport Minister Enrique Cornejo.

This will greatly reduce the time and cost required to grant such permission or undertake the necessary procedures in Peru.

Through this agreement, not only the paperwork is a lot easier, but also many undocumented immigrants will be able to work abroad.

According to this norm, the paperwork for revalidating the license will require only to present an ID cards, to submit the expired license and to undergo a medical examination.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The group for neighborhood actions “Salvemos Barranco” (Let's save Barranco) announces that they are organizing a pacific public demonstration for Thursday August 6th.

Barranco is a traditional old Lima district, and its residents are currently very disturbed and upset because the new city transportation's route crosses right in the middle of its historic area.

Barranco neighbours are protesting about the unwillingness of Lima's Municipality to set start talks with them, so they will install a symbolic one at the intersection the Republic of Panama with El Sol Avenue.

The demonstration will be a cultural event, and several artists currently living in the district will be present to expressed their discomfort due to have been allegedly ignored in decisions that directly affect the district.

The participation of unions, associations and residents of Barranco is also expected, as well as people from Chorrillos and Surco districts. For more information contact Daniel Olivares (996986669).

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Today, Lima Downtown streets will be taken today by demonstrators from different backgrounds.

In the morning, the a march called “For The Equality Of Religions,” summoned by seven groups of Christian denominations, will to Peru's Congress in demand of the approval of a law that would guarantee the equality of economic rights to non-Catholic churches.

In the afternoon, a huge demonstration in support of the Amazonian natives protests will start at 3pm, and it is supposed to take the main downtown avenues, such us Colmena, Abancay an Emancipación.

We are publishing here a map showing the probably routes of today's demonstrations.
 


Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

A collective which started as group created in Facebook, is calling everyone for a pacific demonstration this afternoon in the Limean district of Miraflores.

“As citizens concerned about peace and environment, we must tell our governments, the current one and the ones yet to come, that continuing with the present oil exploitation model is damaging the environment and our health, and our Amazon brothers' culture as well” states the group's manifesto in its Facebook page, which can be visited in this link.

This group has organized a pacific demonstration for today (Wednesday) at 6pm, at the Ovalo de Miraflores (Miraflores Roundabout), to express their wish for peace and development of clean alternative technologies in Peru.

For further information email erickgarciacerna@hotmail.com

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Although the general media has been focusing on the scant cases of AH1N1 flu in Peru, there is still very little coverage (with the exception of a few brave TV reporters such as Monica Cepeda) of the approximately 140 children who have died this year of pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a treacherous complication of the seasonal flu caused by the low temperatures in the Southern part of the country, especially in the Puno region.

According to Peru's Health Minister (Oscar Ugarte), the region with the highest death rate is Puno, followed by Cusco, Loreto and Huancavelica.

In Imata, a village located in Puno at 4,500metres over sea level, the temperatures recently dropped to -19°C (-2.2°F) and the winds were recorded blowing at up to 60kph.

Most families in these Puno and Cusco highlands make their living by farming, especially llamas and alpacas. But the extreme temperatures are killing even these strong animals, and causing acute respiratory infections (ARI's) among the children.

Since most of these children are chronically malnourished, they are very vulnerable to pneumonia, which can easily prove to be fatal.

Now, after a few very good TV reports on the matter, many Peruvians are expressing their willingness to help the children in the highlands. However, due to previous bad experiences, many people are uncertain as to the best way to get their donations to legitimate organizations.

There is a way in which Living in Peru readers can help.

Please join us in donating winter clothes to Caritas Felices Association, which will send a truck to Cusco and Puno with the items collected around the 20th of June.

If you have some old jackets, sweaters, hats, blankets, etc., cluttering up your closet space, now is the time to put these items to good use! We all have articles of clothing that we haven't used in years, why not donate these articles and maybe save a life in the process?

Donations can be taken during normal business hours (10AM-5PM) to:

-Condor Travel Agency (Armando Blondet 249, near Canaval y Moreyra in San Isidro).

-San Isidro: Ugarte y Moscoso 710 San Isidro (behind Salaverry Pharmax)

-Monterrico / La Molina: Las Amatistas 151 - dpto # 201, altura cdra. 7 Av. Circunvalación El Golf Los Inkas (in front of the club, next to the Vivero)

Money Donations can be made through:

Asociación Civil Sin Fines de Lucro Condor Travel- Wings accounts:

BBVA Continental Bank
SOLES            0011-0910-0100127897-75
DOLLARS      0011-0910-0100127889-72  

Living in Peru and the Children of Cusco and Puno thank you!

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The Canadian International Development Agency  (CIDA Canada) has announced that Canada will support people in Southern Peru to acquire education and employment.

A part of Skills for Employment Initiative, this project aims to help developing countries by building a skilled workforce, necessary for economic growth.

The program, which will be implemented by the Rainbow of Hope for Children Society, will help 700 people from the District of Chincha Baja in Southern Peru through the rebuilding of the Centre for Occupational Education, destroyed in the 2007 earthquake, Marketwire reports.

These students, of whom 70% will be women, will acquire education and training in the fields of leadership, health education, money management, communications and job searching.

The Skills for Employment initiative is a key element of the Canadian Prime Minister's commitment to increase Canada's engagement in the Americas.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The first aircraft manufactured by Peru, designed to train pilots, will be presented Wednesday afternoon at the Second International Defense Technology Exhibition and Prevention of Natural Disasters (SITDEF) in Lima.

The plane is called Kuntur, in honor of the majestic Andean bird.

"It's the start of a race that will lead us to manufacture more sophisticated aircrafts," says one of the officers who worked on this project.

The exhibition will be opened today at 18:30 hours (23.30 GMT), and will be held from May 21 to 24 at the General Army Headquarters in San Borja district.

The Peruvian Air Force (FAP), one of the exhibitors, will show the high technology level that it has reached through its operating units like the Maintenance Service (Seman).

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

El Comendador de Caraveli (a pisco produced in Arequipa, Peru) was awarded a Silver Medal at the 16th edition of Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2009, the most prestigious wine and spirits competition.

The contest was held on April 25th-27th in Valencia, Spain, gathering 54 producing countries in this edition.

A total of 250 experts coming from four continents reunited at the contest to blind taste, and to compare the 6289 wines and spirits participating in the competition.

El Comendador de Caraveli is produced by the Pisco and Wines Producers Association of Caraveli, an organization conformed by 17 small vine producers from the province of Caraveli in Arequipa region, southern Peru.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.