Two successful workshops were held to train small farmers in improving livestock breeding practices in October, focusing on sheep and goat health and reproduction. The workshops took place in two communities: Jatanca and Tecapa. The first workshop in Jatanca saw a strong community turnout, reflecting the local farmers’ eagerness to learn. The second workshop, held in Tecapa, extended its reach to nearby towns, including Tecapa, Santonte, Santa María, and Pueblo Nuevo, engaging a wider audience.
Veterinarian Martín Zambrano in a livestock workshops (October, 2024)
The central theme of the workshops was “Health and Reproduction in Sheep and Goats,” a critical area of knowledge for farmers looking to enhance their livestock production. Veterinarian Martín Zambrano, an expert in the field, led the sessions, offering practical advice and technical insights to improve livestock management. He emphasized the importance of proper breeding techniques, disease prevention, and overall animal care.
These workshops did not just impart valuable technical information; they also sparked greater interest and commitment from the farmers to apply these practices in their herds. By equipping farmers with the knowledge to improve breeding practices, these workshops contribute to the long-term sustainability of livestock farming in the region, fostering healthier herds and more productive farming practices.
A Rocha Peru proudly participated in the inauguration of a new garden on October 9 at Elim Christian School, in the Mi Peru neighborhood of Ventanilla. This vibrant green space enhances the school’s surroundings while improving safety in the area, showcasing a commitment to environmental stewardship.
The inauguration event was a festive occasion that engaged students in various activities, including an environmental care trivia quiz. The highlight for many was the chance for younger children to plant their own seedlings in the newly created garden. This hands-on experience not only connected the children to nature but also instilled a sense of responsibility and ownership for their environment.
A Rocha Peru’s initiative represents a significant step toward fostering a culture of sustainability within the school community. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing both the earth and the hearts of the younger generation.
Reflecting on the day, Grazia Rabasa shared her heartfelt testimony: “This visit reminded me that each seed planted—both in the earth and in the hearts of these children—has the potential to grow and transform. Seeing their happy faces as they planted with their own hands was an unforgettable experience. They are the future, and every plant they nurture serves as a reminder of our responsibility to the environment.”
Grazia’s words encapsulate the essence of the event: the work done today impacts not only the soil but also the consciousness of the young ones who will carry forward a legacy of love and respect for creation. The garden stands as a symbol of hope, growth, and the vital connection between education and environmental care.
A Rocha Peru organized handicraft workshops for the local women’s artisan group in Pacasmayo. The workshops focused on using renewable materials, promoting environmental awareness, and providing alternative sources of income. By linking traditional crafts to the health of the forest, these workshops encourage environmental stewardship and highlight the importance of sustainable resource management.
In August, the team organized two workshops for the Artisan Group. The first workshop introduced participants to the art of embroidering jute, a natural fiber, using designs inspired by the Moche culture. The Moche culture is an ancient civilization from northern Peru renowned for its intricate art and iconography. Seven participants took part in this training, led by jute embroidery specialist. The session included an additional hands-on experience in Magdalena de Cao, located in the province of Ascope, to further enhance their skills.
Jute embroidery, August 2024
A second workshop focused on the recycling, reuse, and proper disposal of plastic bags. This session was led by an expert in plastic reuse, and was attended by 12 participants. The training emphasized practical ways to reduce plastic waste and creatively repurpose materials, reinforcing the community’s commitment to sustainability. In September, a follow-up session took place in Magdalena de Cao. Participants completed their jute embroidery projects featuring designs inspired by Moche culture. The craftswomen also visited a museum in Magdalena de Cao. Here the women took part in an event that focused on crafts and culture. Afterwards, they received a guided tour of the museum’s exhibits, gaining further insight into the rich cultural heritage of the region.
These efforts are part of a broader initiative to create environmentally conscious community leaders who understand the value of conserving natural resources. By empowering the women of Pacasmayo with these skills, A Rocha Peru aims to foster greater economic resilience and promote the conservation of forest resources.
A Rocha Peru’s beekeeping initiatives continue to thrive and expand. Originally installed in the Tronco Prieto forest, the apiaries had to be relocated due to restrictions on beekeeping activities and the absence of permission from the community of San Pedro de Lloc, the forest’s owners. The beekeeping operations have since found a new home in the privately-owned Venturosa Dry Forest. The relocation led to a mutually beneficial agreement between A Rocha Peru and the landowner. In a generous move, the landowner has decided to donate his share of the honey harvest to the local school, starting from the second harvest. The remaining income supports A Rocha Peru and dry forest conservation efforts, demonstrating a collaborative spirit that benefits both education and environmental conservation. The presence of apiaries in the Venturosa Dry Forest brings significant advantages to the landowner’s farm and forest, particularly through essential pollination. Additionally, A Rocha Peru ensures meticulous care and maintenance of the forest. The landowner also uses these activities as educational opportunities for his students, who are active members of A Rocha Peru’s environmental club. With the installation of apiaries in the dry forests, A Rocha Peru’s efforts are yielding high-quality honey now marketed under the official label, BoscoVivo, meaning “Living Forest.” This year, A Rocha Peru is set to advance its beekeeping initiatives with a renewed focus on community involvement and sustainability. One of the upcoming workshops will concentrate on installing new beehives, a key element already included in the workshop budget. This builds on previous workshops where several hives were successfully installed and are now being managed by A Rocha Peru. In addition to new hive installations, we expect that this year’s workshops will cover a variety of beekeeping-related activities, such as propolis production, pollen collection, and other essential practices. These activities aim to enhance participants’ skills and knowledge, contributing to the project’s long-term self-sustainability and the broader institutional sustainability of A Rocha Peru. A Rocha Peru is also launching pilot beekeeping activities to create greater involvement of local families committed to dry forest conservation. This project will provide one or two families with beehives, enabling them to benefit directly from honey production. The initiative includes ongoing monitoring and support from A Rocha Peru to ensure the hives’ success and the project’s sustainability. By integrating beekeeping into the local community, A Rocha Peru aims to empower families, foster environmental stewardship, and promote sustainable livelihoods. This holistic approach supports conservation efforts and enhances the economic resilience of the involved communities.
In our ongoing commitment to environmental conservation, A Rocha Peru is excited to share some of the progress of our latest initiative, the Amazon Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation project. Central to our project is the importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest and the rich cultural heritage of the Machigengan people.
Eco-club Workshop creating bird masks, August 2023
One of our project objectives is to enhance environmental awareness among the younger generation about the conservation of the forest, flora, and fauna. In 2023, the pilot created an eco-club called Katsari Forest in the primary school in Monte Carmelo. The eco-club has provided 66 enthusiastic students a platform to actively engage in environmental conservation efforts. Through a series of workshops, including discovering the world of birds, getting to know the tropical forests and discussions on deforestation, we are empowering these young minds to become advocates for their environment.
Bridge access to the Katsari children’s forest, August 2023
Moreover, our project extends beyond education to practical solutions like building a bridge to access the Bosques de los Niños (Children’s Forest). This bridge not only facilitates the children’s exploration of the forest but also symbolizes our dedication to fostering a deep connection between communities and their natural surroundings. By empowering communities, preserving cultural heritage, and safeguarding biodiversity, we are laying the groundwork for a sustainable future for both people and the planet.
A Rocha Peru, was inspired to participate in the #PlasticFreeFebruary campaign – an initiative to eliminate single-use plastics for the month of February. Around the world, A Rocha groups joined this month-long challenge to reduce or eliminate the use of plastic, while cleaning up the plastic pollution that already exists. A Rocha India led a successful clean-up drive where volunteers collected bags of dry plastic waste. Members from A Rocha France and A Rocha Canada joined the campaign by trying to cut out single-use plastics that were connected to their food consumption. A Rocha Switzerland and Netherlands sent out weekly challenges and top tips. In Nigeria, Eden Creation Care Initiative held a month with a recycling project with school kids.
Throughout February, A Rocha Peru contributed to the campaign by sharing informative content, and offering practical tips to encourage individuals to reduce their plastic consumption. Now, as March fades into April, we stand at the dawn of a new season, ready to extend our commitment beyond the confines of a single month.
Fragments of microplastic (Image: A Rocha International 2018)
Plastic pollution stands as an ongoing environmental challenge, with microplastics posing threats to ecosystems and human well-being on a global scale. Microplastics are the material left behind when plastics decompose. As scientific studies continue to reveal the widespread presence of microplastics in our bodies, the urgency to address this issue becomes increasingly evident.
While #FreePlasticFebruary has formally concluded, our dedication to reducing plastic pollution remains unwavering. By fostering ongoing awareness and collective action, we aim to make a lasting impact in mitigating plastic pollution. As stewards of our planet, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving the health of our environment and communities, ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for generations to come.
Be sure to check out our Plastics Toolbox for more information and resources.
Pacasmayo, a picturesque coastal town in northern Peru, is traditionally recognized for its beautiful beaches and warm-hearted inhabitants. However, during my recent visit to Pacasmayo, I not only admired its natural richness and scenic views but partook in a truly transformative experience. As a member of A Rocha Perú, my mission in Pacasmayo was to truly capture the essence and mission of A Rocha Peru through my camera while participating in the day-to-day activities of the Dry Forest Project with the local communities.
Milagros showing the baskets made by the Association of Artisans of the Cañoncillo Forest
Upon arrival, the excitement in the air was palpable. A Rocha team – Ciro and Andrea- welcomed me with smiles and open arms, graciously sharing stories of the beloved town of Pacasmayo and the challenges it faces. I have never experienced such an abundant amount of hospitality. Children, young adults and older individuals welcomed me to their homes and generously gifted me avocados, watermelons, tunas and other Peruvian fruits from their gardens! This was a very humbling experience. Today, as I reminisce about my time in Pacasmayo, I think about what one of the women said to me when visiting her house. She said, “Little girl, these fruits are from my garden, its free for me…I love when people visit me…if I could, I would give you more, but this is what the season has given me so far.”
Another highlight of my journey was visiting the beautiful dry forest. Ciro, Andrea and I woke up early in the morning, at around 4 am, to experience the mighty sunrise and capture the majesty of nature waking up. It is astonishing how some places have the power to stir introspection and awaken a dormant purpose within us. That day, among the silhouettes of ancient trees, the whispers of the wind and the chirping of thousands of birds, I felt a profound realization about the importance of volunteering our time to the world. The dry forest, with its gnarled trees and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures, painted a tale of endurance. It had survived the worst of climatic odds, and yet, its beauty was undeniable. But more than its aesthetic allure, it was a testament to the interwoven fabric of life that thrives despite adversity. However, as much as it was a space of resilience, it was also an ecosystem at the brink, vulnerable to human exploitation and negligence.
Ciro teaching volunteers how to plant Algarrobo seelings
As I continued my walk back, I went house-to-house talking about climate change. A Rocha Peru endeavoured this mission with the help of young volunteers from the University of Trujillo. The next day, we planted around 20 algarrobo trees that will not only to combat desertification but also to help restore the local ecosystem. Each hole dug and every seed planted, was symbolic of hope. Everyone took to the task with an endearing enthusiasm, including a 5-year-old princess who helped gently place each sapling into the earth.
As we shifted our focus to spread awareness the community about climate change, I was moved by their receptive nature. Using simple language and relatable examples, we discussed how a warming planet affects everything from their local farms to the health of their children. Many expressed genuine concern and wanted to know more about how they could make a difference.
As my journey in Pacasmayo came to a close, I was overcome with a profound sense of gratitude. The experience had been deeply transformative. I came to Pacasmayo as an outsider, hoping to bring about positive change. But by the end, the community had embraced me as one of their own, teaching me invaluable lessons about resilience, hope, and the unbreakable human spirit.
Bird Watching, Monte Carmelo (H.Marcos, July 2023)
The Amazon Natural and Cultural Heritage Pilot Project began in June this year. The pilot project works in a small community called Monte Carmelo, located in the basin of the Urubamba River in the Southeastern Peruvian Amazon. A Rocha Peru partners with the Comunidad Nativa Machiguenga Monte Carmelo (Monte Carmelo Machiguenga Indigenous Community) to help conserve and restore ecosystems and endangered species and preserve the cultural traditions and ancestral knowledge in native communities. The project is currently researching birds and medicinal plant species in this area.
To preserve traditions, workshops and talks will be conducted by elders to spread knowledge to the younger generation on the uses of traditional medicinal plants, the Machiguenga language, and other ancestral customs like hunting with bow and arrow.
For the local school, the project is establishing a recreational forest park to create an opportunity to teach children and others about the environment and the importance of preserving natural ecosystems. Stay tuned for more developments in the coming months!
This year, La Libertad Dry Forest Project aims to focus its environmental education on the youth of the Pacasmayo community to help generate environmental leaders and empower them to conserve the dry forest. Many activities have kicked off, including talks about the importance of the dry forest at the National University of Trujillo, Guadalupe, the Tecapa Secondary School, and San Demetrio. The team has created an environmental club called Semillas Teresianas (Teresian Seeds) with the 2nd and 3rd-grade secondary students at the Santa Teresa Inmaculada school in San Pedro de Lloc. The eco-club members visited the Venturosa dry forest and collected photos and information to help develop the eco-club’s vision.Moreover, the team conducted talks to raise awareness about the importance of the dry forest at Santa Teresa Inmaculada, where 300 students participated. To contribute to the conservation of the dry forests, the Santa Teresa Inmaculada School will help plant 100 Algarrobo tree seedlings. The ideal area for planting was identified in Cañoncillo with the help of Cooperativa Agraria de Usuarios de Tecapa.
At the end of 2021, A Rocha Peru started an initiative with Pastor José Guzmán from Iglesia Casa de Oración in Pacasmayo, northern Peru, to develop a community kitchen in San Demetrio. El comedor popular Micaela Bastidas was facing the challenge of improving its modest premises. In response, A Rocha Peru installed an improved cookstove for self-sufficiency, set up an organic garden and a space for rearing small animals, and introduced environmental education activities. The collaboration proved a significant catalyst that inspired the local government and companies to get involved and complement this work by developing the building structure, improving the kitchen, and providing a water cistern. Through these combined efforts, the Micaela Bastidas communitykitchen was transformed. It became a communal hub run by local women committed to preparing and serving daily nutritious meals to 28 families of 120 adults and children. This inspiring example of community work shows the multiplying impact that A Rocha Peru is having in the communities it serves.
The Iglesia Verde project moved to Lima this year and will be working in the outskirts of the Lima district. A Rocha Peru’s project is partnering with GZB and the Iglesia Betel de Lima (Betel church of Lima), a Presbyterian church led by Pastor Elmer Laura Quiñones. Grecia Valdivia is coordinating the activities as the new Project Officer. Aligned with the Creation Care Program, it aims to spread awareness and sensitize pastors, leaders, community, and church members on the importance of conservation and preservation of God’s Creation. The project will be working directly with approximately 80 beneficiaries. This includes church members, the Red de Jóvenes Presbyterians del Perú (Presbyterian Youth Network of Peru), and the Club de Madres Sarita Colonia (Sarita Colonia Mothers’ Club). The project will conduct in-person workshops on composting, home plant care, and recycling. For the youth network, the project will run a virtual course about the environmental challenges of our time, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. In addition, the course will teach the importance of ecosystem conservation and restoration and how we can work together to protect the environment and improve the quality of life in our communities.
An achievement from La Libertad Dry Forest Project this past year has been the installation of apiaries in Tronco Prieto Forest, where the honey bees forage on the flowering algarrobo trees. Bees play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation by pollinating wildflowers and help to conserve the dry forest. With a dedicated beekeeper, the project team explored the Tronco Prieto dry forest and met with Muchick Conservation Group to investigate the possibility of installing apiaries. Later in the year, the project held two sustainable training workshops for the local community on beekeeping. The new trainees will manage the apiaries installed in Tronco Prieto to produce honey. The beekeeping initiative is on track to beekeeping success, already making 12 litres of organic honey in January!
La Libertad Dry Forest Project continues to raise environmental awareness in schools and churches. This year it has expanded its education talks and garden activities to three schools and churches, including Calvary Chapel. The project inspires younger generations to become environmental ambassadors, helping them to reconnect with nature and enhancing conservation knowledge. Calvary Chapel, led by Pastor Renzo Plasencia Moscoso, is located in Pacasmayo. Since April, the project has conducted over 22 workshops and activities with adults and children of the Calvary Chapel congregation. Talks have included a variety of topics such as the state of the planet and its biodiversity, responsible consumption and sustainable development of the environment, solid waste, the importance of the dry forest, and ecological gardens. In July, the church started to create its garden called the El Buen Fruto [The Good Fruit]. Environmental leaders learned practical techniques such as home irrigation, composting, and planting vegetables. They prepared the soil, levelled and cleaned the terrain, and they have begun creating an interpretation centre.
Better Rice Production Workshop (C.Flores, July 2022)
Agroforestry is an approach that combines agriculture with trees on the same piece of land. Planting trees on farms can give farmers healthier soil and higher yields – not to mention creating vital homes for wildlife. La Libertad Dry Forest Project in Pacasmayo promotes agroforestry with local farmers by helping them combine fruit trees with existing crops. This approach aims to restore degraded agricultural land and reduce soil erosion. Over time, it also helps farmers to enhance crop production and generate alternate income from the sale of the fruit. In June, fruit tree species, such as apple, orange, mango, Japanese plum, and guaba, were produced in the local nursery in San Pedro de Lloc. In July, the project gave local farmers sixty agroforestry tree seedlings to plant on their land. The project will irrigate and monitor these trees over time. In addition to these agroforestry practices, the project has been helping farmers to improve crop production in other ways. In July, the La Libertad Dry Forest project held a workshop for rice producers in Santander. Rice is an important staple crop in the area. These workshops help to increase farmers’ knowledge of how to improve rice crop production and quality.
Our Inglesa Verde project continues to grow in 2022 with a second mini-project implemented in the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church in Peru (IEPRP) called Fuente de Vida in Chiclayo. The Jardín de Alegría mini-project was implemented with the collaboration of Pastor Mateo Galuk, and members of the church, such as sisters; Hanna, Rosario, Soledad, Yaqueline, Cheila, and Julifer. Workshops were held to develop the mini-project with the children of the neighborhood and the church. Workshops were also conducted in Los Jardines de Santa Rosa and Los Niños de Jesús institutions educating students about the problems they have in the locality. Topics for the workshops included water care, composting, and recycling. Additionally, there were practical activities such as planting geraniums, cleaning and weeding the gardens, putting up a fence and painting a mural that motivates the community to take care of creation.
Closure activity for the Jardín de Alegría mini-project (Image: A. Regalado, June 2022)
Three clean-up campaigns were also carried out with the participation of members of the church and the neighborhood community in the gardens of Santa Rosa and the surrounding area. Also, at the end of June, the Jardín de Alegría mini-project had a closing party in which diplomas were given in recognition of the participation and commitment of the children in the development of the mini-project. It was a great success!
