Our Beginnings in the Amazon
Minga Perú was founded in 1998 in the rich and diverse region of Loreto.
Minga Perú was founded in 1998 in the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon. Although the Loreto region is rich in Indigenous cultures and has the greatest biodiversity of tropical rainforests in the world, it is one of the most inaccessible and neglected regions in Peru. Women and families struggle with very high rates of poverty, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, and social injustice. However, the people of Loreto are also resilient leaders, committed to their communities and their lands.
Our radio program, "Bienvenida Salud," and our active engagement with community members have helped create a unique and original model for social change. "Bienvenida Salud" has been on the air continuously since 1998 and bases its content on listener letters. To date, more than 40,000 letters have been received. We have aired approximately 3,000 prime-time episodes and reached more than 120,000 listeners with each episode, changing the public discourse on social issues such as domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, the value of gender equality, human rights, and biocultural conservation.
In addition to its popular radio program, Minga has trained five generations of women promoters who lead campaigns to create change in their communities. These women leaders continue to train their own network of more than 500 members, serving as role models and decision-makers who mobilize local government funding to support participatory community projects. Minga promoters also design and lead income-generating projects for families—such as fish farms, agroforestry, and artisanal production—that protect and maintain natural resources while increasing economic and food security.
As a result, Minga has broken old mental patterns, including how to address taboo topics such as HIV/AIDS, family planning, sexual rights, the terrible problem of violence against women, racism, and discrimination. Minga uses the language of the people and has created formats so that the voices of thousands can be heard. Minga helped convince people that their voices matter and that they are capable of overcoming the shame of expressing themselves, which they internalized from a very early age.
Minga has trained more than 75 women and men (ages 12-18) as trainers who have conducted workshops on sexual health, reproductive rights, HIV/AIDS prevention, domestic violence and healthy relationships, and conservation issues, reaching more than 1,500 students in 40 rural schools. This innovative project with young people led to MINGA receiving the 2014 "Empower Champions of Youth" Award for its outstanding work with young people.
Minga has also facilitated dozens of workshops and meetings with local authorities to address topics such as citizen participation and community engagement. It has gradually incorporated different community members into its programs, significantly strengthening the communities' focus on women and equality.