Living in Peru : your everyday companion

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

This Christmas, the organized local population of Huanucollo will launch to Puno and Lima markets their own version of “panetón” (Christmas cake) made of native grains such as quinoa and cañihua.

This year they expect to sell 5,000 units of this Christmas cake, under the brand Cuenca Rosas, which already sold out 2,000 units last Christmas.

“Last year we only sold quinoa ones; this year we are selling cakes made from cañihua, too, which has a better taste,” said Ruben Delgado, director of Agro Rural Puno, institution which is advising this initiative.

“We are finalizing the tests, and we hope to launch the paneton in November," said the official. He said that the development of this product involves some 40 producers grouped in an organization that also has experience in natural resource management.

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

Peru is not only a "prophetic country " but also is the place chosen by aliens to communicate with humans, said today "brother" Antonio Cordova, leader of the group "Alpha and Omega," which believes in the existence of extraterrestrial life.

The Peruvian group, which doctrine blends Christianity, socialism, vegetarianism and beliefs in alien beings from another planets, has organized the Fourth International Congress of UFOlogy, which reportedly reunites in Lima "contactees and researchers from countries like Chile, Ecuador or Brazil."

"Brother" Antonio Cordova, says that Peru has always been a favorite spot for space aliens, and gives as an example the ruins of Caral, the oldest city in America; the Nazca Lines, huge drawings of animals visible only from the air; or the famous Machu Picchu citadel.

"Alpha and Omega," the largest Peruvian group that believes in extraterrestrial aliens, has hundreds of followers.

Their UFOlogy congress will end on November 8th, and lecturers will cover topics such as "the origin of extraterrestrial DNA" or alleged UFO sightings made by Chilean and Ecuadorian military members.

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 Regional Direction of Health of Huanuco (DIRESA) got a total of 28,800 vaccines against pneumococcus, cause of infections like pneumonia or meningitis, from the Ministery of Health (MINSA).

Heriberto Hidalgo Carrasco, director of DIRESA, stressed that the batch of vaccines will decrease the number of cases of respiratory diseases, and deaths related to pneumonia.

DIRESA Huanuco received also a batch of vaccines against rotavirus and pediatric influenza. Immunization against pneumonia requires three doses: the first one at three-month-old age, the second one at five-month-old, and the last one at one-year old age.

Finally, Hidalgo informed that in the following days a workshop will be given to analyze a research on maternal mortality, chronic child malnutrition, transmissible infectious diseases and TB.

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 Yauyos's Bishop (who is also President of Caritas-Yauyos Cañete), Bishop Ricardo García, officially donated 242 homes to families of the Prelature who live in extreme poverty and became homeless after the 2007's earthquake.

According to a press release from the Prelature, the construction done with support from Catholic Relief Services and Caritas U.S. Freiburg in Germany, institutions currently that are currently carrying out social welfare projects in the area.

Bishop Garcia presented 185 new houses to the residents of Huaca de los Chinos, Progreso Los Libres, Cantagallo and Vista Alegre, in the province of Cañete.

He also inaugurated in 57 houses in the Province of Yauyos, Azangaro Madeán, Huangáscar and Viñac.

According to the National Statistics Institute (INEI) of Peru, Yauyos area is the poorest one in Lima Region.

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

Two security officers were killed and seven are still missing after a group of 20 people attacked and burned a Rio Blanco Cooper mining camp, said the company's general manager, Jian Wu.

The bizarre incident occurred early Sunday in Carmen de la Frontera district, in Huancabamba (Piura region), without any previous events which could regarded as background information as to the cause.

"It's been strange. A group of 15 or 20 people, carrying firearms, attacked the mining camp, according to some workers who managed to escape. Nobody knows exactly what happened," he said.

The fatalities have been identified as Luis Gomez and Joel Seberino, two of the four guards who tried to prevent the mining camp from catching fire.

Jian Wu also said that the Eduardo Ramirez, Rio Blanco's manager, and Jose Luis Cornejo, another guard, have been kidnapped.

We don't have any information about the circumstances of this attack, but we don't think the local population has anything to do with it," he said. Internal Affairs Ministry sent a police contingent to guard the mine.

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

Peru's President Alan García announced that Olmos irrigation and hydroelectric project (located in Lambayeque region) would generate more than 300,000 jobs over the next five years, according to Radio Nacional.

"This is a very important bet for the future of the country," he said, "considering the number of jobs with good wages that it will create."

He also announced that El Platanal Hydropower plant will be inaugurated in a few more days, adding to the electricity supply nationwide.

Garcia said that the Government has started electrification for 3,600 towns, benefiting 1,600,000 people, which added to works carried out by regional and local governments, “totals two million Peruvians who now have electricity for the first time.”

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

Education Ministry announced program "One laptop for one student" will benefit all primary schools all over Peru.

Next year the Ministry of Education will distribute totally free 347,993 laptops for the program "One laptop for one student," for scholars, and the Technological Supply Centers of Peruvian schools, announced the Minister Jose Chang Escobedo.

"The objective of the government is to allow any child at any school to have a laptop, this being an important tool for his or her education," added Chang.

According to information given by Chang, 97,898 laptops will be for students and teachers, and more than 250 thousand to implement in the schools.

Up to now, the Ministry of Education had distributed more than 200,000 laptops in the poorest zones of Peru to more than 148,000 students and more than seven thousand teachers from 4,454 schools.

The favored students belong to rural families who can hardly give their children a proper education.

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 group of indigenous communities from the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve are demanding the withdrawal of US based company Hunt Oil from their ancestral territories.

Residents of more than seven communities are ready to "take action" if the company does not stop their activities: according to the natives, they have not been consulted and obviously have not given their approval either.

For this reason, representatives of Hunt Oil, indigenous leaders and local authorities, reunited with some policemen and the Prosecutors' Office as well, are calling for an urgent high-level committee meeting (with the presence of the Prime Minister, Javier Velásquez Quesquén, the Environment Minister Antonio Brack, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Pedro Sanchez, and Hunt Oil senior executives) in order to find a solution to the problems generated in this part of the Amazon basin.

The natives, who are starting a sit-down protest in front of the Hunt Oil camp,  claim that the company is already working within the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, and have announced their will to talk only with the owners of the Hunt Oil, “the ones who really make decisions."

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

“Cusco, always in fashion,” the event which puts the Incan city in the middle of international attention, starts today, with parades and the presentations of the work of local designers.

“Cusco, always in fashion” aims to promote Cusco's image as an innovative and inclusive city, which always finds inspiration in its traditional indigenous cultural legacy, and as a new and dynamic touristic destination.

Young Peruvian designers will feature designs with both pre-Columbian and contemporary designs, many of which have already been welcomed at the best fashion shows in the world.

The even starts today with an urban intervention at the Mercado Central de San Pedro (Central Market San Pedro) at 1pm, which will feature an original fashion show.

“Peru always in fashion” and will last until October 31st, featuring a wide variety of activities and Cusco's fashion week opens tomorrow with the contest “Cusco always in fashion,” where young designers from this and other Peruvian cities will have the chance to show their collections to the world.

“We have accredited different local, regional and international media to be at the event, like the French magazine MAG Fashion, as well as the Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paolo,” said Boris Gomez Luna, President of the Regional Chamber of Tourism from Cusco.

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.