Donation for Sembrando program

Lima, December 6, 2006. The Andean Development Corporation (CAF) today made a donation in favor of the Sembrando (Sowing) program, headed by Pilar Nores de García. The donation will contribute to the global purpose of improving the living standards of over 5,000 Peruvian campesino communities presently excluded from productive and social development.

Ana Mercedes Botero, head of the CAF External Relations Office, said that the Corporation’s resources would be used to finance the fabrication, installation of improved cookers, as well as training in their use. The new units will replace existing cookers which pollute the environment inside homes due to smoke which causes respiratory illnesses. "CAF is proud to contribute to improving the health of the inhabitants of the areas of greatest social exclusion of Peru and so contribute to the social development of communities in extreme poverty," she said.

Installation of improved cookers is part of the Sembrando program, which also offers improved plows and latrines for sanitation. The CAF donation to the program was made through the Work and Family Institute, NGO responsible for execution of the project. Ana Mercedes Botero presented the donation to Pilar Nores de García and María del Carmen Baertl Jourde, executive director of the Institute.

The Sembrando program began in August 2006 in 14 high Andean communities located in Cajamarca department, Cajabamba province, where poverty is widespread. The program provides these communities with instruments for productive and social development. In production, the target is to introduce technologies that are compatible with the usage and customs of the people which help them improve their current subsistence level of production and generate surpluses for additional income. Socially, the program introduces concepts of health, hygiene and food which enhance welfare and nutrition.