FIDAMAR signed an interinstitutional cooperation agreement with the Local Educational Management Unit (UGEL) of Lucanas and Primary Educational Institution No. 24397 “Cristo Rey”, located in the community of Huanca (district of Santa Lucía, province of Lucanas, Ayacucho).

The project includes the construction of metal structures and a roofed covering for the school’s main courtyard, protecting more than 170 students and teachers from solar radiation during their academic and sports activities.

This initiative adds to a sustained line of work in support of education in Huanca:

🏫 Construction of 2 classrooms at the “Cristo Rey” educational center (2025)
🏗️ Infrastructure improvements at the “Jorge Meier” secondary educational center (2025)
💻 Delivery and installation of multimedia equipment and furniture for educational centers (2024)
💧 Water for Education – Safe water in three educational centers (2024)
📡 Connected Huanca – Access to virtual libraries, connectivity, and innovation (2024)

We thank Professor Blas Ruperto Andrade Tapahuasco, director of UGEL Lucanas, and Professor Jesús Romucho Achulla, director of the “Cristo Rey” Educational Institution, for their institutional support, trust, and commitment to this alliance between civil society and the State.

At FIDAMAR, we continue working to close educational gaps in artisanal mining communities through concrete and sustainable solutions.

We invite you to learn more about this and other transformative experiences at 🌐 www.fidamar.org

As part of our health support program, on June 27 and 28, we carried out a campaign through which we provided more than 1,000 free medical consultations to people in vulnerable situations from the rural community of Ispacas, in the district of Yanaquihua, province of Condesuyos.

The campaign took place at the San Juan Bautista de La Salle Primary School, thanks to our partnership with Clínica San Juan de Dios – Arequipa and its Misión Mensajeros de la Salud program.

🤝 A total of 45 healthcare professionals participated, offering services in specialties such as general medicine, orthopedics and traumatology, dentistry, ophthalmology, gynecology, obstetrics, ultrasound, pediatrics, nutrition, psychology, laboratory services, and pharmacy. In addition, disability certification services were provided in coordination with the Regional Office for Development and Social Inclusion of the Regional Government of Arequipa.

We thank the Rural Community of Ispacas, UGEL Condesuyos, the Ispacas Health Post, the Minor Municipality of Ispacas, the District Municipality of Yanaquihua, the Regional Office for Development and Social Inclusion of GORE Arequipa, and the National Police of Peru, whose collaboration was key to the success of this campaign.

This is our second campaign in Ispacas since 2024 and the first one of the year. It also adds to projects such as Allin Kausay Ispacas, focused on food security; Agua para Educar, which promotes safe water for students; and Ispacas Conectada, which supports virtual libraries. Together with the community, we continue working so that every artisanal mining family has more opportunities, better health, and a brighter future. 🌱

📩 Learn more about our projects in artisanal mining communities by visiting our website: www.fidamar.org

💧 More than 4,000 people in mining communities across Arequipa and Ayacucho now have access to safe drinking water in their schools. This is how “Water for Education” is progressing in 2026. 🚰📚

Since 2024, FIDAMAR has been installing water purification systems in educational institutions in Huanca (Ayacucho) and Secocha, Chala, and Atico (Arequipa).

Each drinking station allows students and teachers to access safe water, helping reduce risks associated with biological contaminants and heavy metals through BluAct® Swiss technology, developed for sustainable and low-cost water purification.

This year, we are taking another step forward with three new installations in the province of Condesuyos, Arequipa region:

🏫 Miguel Grau Secondary School — Iquipi, Río Grande
🏫 San Juan Bautista de La Salle Primary School — Ispacas, Yanaquihua
🏫 Andrés Avelino Cáceres Secondary School — Ispacas, Yanaquihua

Civil works and equipment installation have already been completed. Certified laboratory analyses are currently being conducted to verify that the treated water meets national drinking water standards. In July, we will formally hand over the project, including training sessions for students, teachers, parent associations (APAFA), and municipalities, as well as the delivery of supplies to ensure three years of cost-free operation.

With these new installations, we will add nearly 900 new users, reaching more than 4,000 students and teachers who have benefited from the project since its inception.

This achievement is possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of FIDAMAR, our strategic partner #Acquavid, UGEL Condesuyos, parent associations (APAFA), school principals, and the municipalities of Río Grande and Ispacas.

🤝 At FIDAMAR, we believe that closing development gaps begins with guaranteeing the basic conditions needed to learn, grow, and build communities with greater opportunities.

Does your organization work in community development or access to basic services in rural areas? Let’s connect.

🌐 Learn more about us at: www.fidamar.org

After two months of implementation and with a technified water storage and irrigation system already 65% completed, the rural community of Ispacas is beginning to transform water scarcity into productive opportunities. This is part of what FIDAMAR and its partner CEPDE are building in Condesuyos.

Following a successful pilot phase in 2025, “Allin Kausay Ispacas” —“Good Living in Ispacas”— is benefiting 124 families this year through initiatives aimed at strengthening food security, nutrition, and the sustainable use of water.

The project also includes the installation of family bio-gardens, technified breeding of guinea pigs and laying hens, technical training, and comprehensive actions for the prevention and treatment of childhood anemia, alongside the promotion of healthy eating practices and coordinated work with local stakeholders.

During its first two months, the project successfully completed its first anemia screening campaign among participating families, including 72 children under the age of five. Follow-up actions for identified cases have already begun in coordination with the local health center. In addition, community agreements are being promoted and workshops are being carried out on productive sustainability, climate change, and efficient water management.

Through “Allin Kausay Ispacas,” we aim to strengthen local capacities and promote a sustainable model built together with the community and its institutions. 🤝

Do you work in international cooperation or rural development? We would be glad to share our experience and lessons learned.

This is how the 2026 edition of ¡Qué Maestro! begins, a program that Fidamar is developing for the third consecutive year in partnership with Enseña Perú to strengthen teachers’ capacities in the rural community of Secocha, within artisanal mining contexts. ⛏️

For nearly nine months, we will support 13 teachers in designing student-centered learning experiences, strengthening socio-emotional skills, and developing innovative initiatives in their schools. 🚀

The starting point was the ENFOCO workshop (Training and Connection Encounter), held in Lima from April 23 to 26, where our teachers shared learning experiences with 230 educators from across the country, building community, trust, and a shared sense of purpose. 💙

At #Fidamar, we believe that transforming rural education begins by investing in those who are in the classroom every day. 🌱

We invite you to learn more about this and other transformative experiences 👇
🌐 Visit us at: www.fidamar.org

On March 20, we began a new phase of the FIDAMAR Scholarship program, reaffirming our commitment to young people from artisanal mining communities who strive to create opportunities through their effort and dedication.

After a rigorous selection process, we welcome the new members of this third cohort:

🔹 Sandra Romero, from Secocha, studying Industrial Administration.
🔹 Juan Portillo, from Chala, studying Automotive Mechatronics.
🔹 Alex Torres, from Ispacas, studying IT and Web Application Development.

Behind each name lies effort, perseverance, and a strong determination to move forward.

With this new cohort, nine young individuals have now gained access to higher technical education through this program, contributing to strengthening local capacities in southern Peru.

Thanks to the partnership with #SENATI Arequipa and the joint work with the UGELs of #Camaná, #Caravelí, and #Condesuyos, the program offers three years of technical training, along with continuous support that helps ensure students remain in and complete their studies.

During the ceremony, scholarship recipients from previous cohorts shared their experiences, highlighting that while the process requires discipline, it also opens real opportunities for personal, family, and community development.

At #FIDAMAR, we believe that one opportunity can transform a life—and a transformed life can inspire an entire community. That’s why we closely support each scholar so they never walk this path alone.

Sandra, Juan, and Alex: this is the beginning of a challenging yet opportunity-filled journey. We are very proud of you. The future is in your hands!

We invite you to learn more about this and other transformative experiences 👇

🌐 Visit us at: www.fidamar.org

Did you know that strengthening women’s organizations is key to ensuring sustained access to dignified food in rural communities? 🍲👩‍🌾

Since September 2025, #FIDAMAR and Solidaridad Network have been developing the Mujeres Doradas project, aimed at strengthening the community management of the Virgen del Carmen Community Kitchen in Huanca, Ayacucho. This initiative is mainly led by women linked to artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).

The kitchen has a total of 37 active members, who have sustained it through self-management since early 2003 💪.

This multi-stakeholder effort, together with the Provincial Municipality of Lucanas and the Women’s Committee of the Kitchen, seeks to improve coordination with the Food Supplementation Program (PCA) of the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (MIDIS). This is a key step to ensure service provision, support from the implementing entity, and long-term sustainability.

As part of the project, equipment, utensils, and food were delivered on January 31, and the final training session was held on February 1. Topics included women’s leadership, kitchen management, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), healthy eating, and sustainability 🌱.

Thanks to these advances, the kitchen will continue to offer meals prepared under good practices and at affordable prices to more than 50 low-income diners daily, strengthening its role as an essential community service ❤️.

We remain convinced that when women lead and communities organize, the impact is lasting ✨.

We invite you to learn more about this and other transformative experiences 👇