Elizabeth Rydeen, CRD
Derechos Humanos & Medio Ambiente (DHUMA), which translated means Human Rights and the Environment, offers training and advocacy for the Aymara and Quechua people of the Andean region of Peru. These two indigenous groups depend on their small farms and fishing for their livelihood; they are largely forgotten or ignored by most government assistance programs. Their very existence is being threatened by the mining industry, which is responsible for widespread pollution, especially to the water/waste systems. Sister Andrey Jean Loher, who sponsored the request and served in Peru, said, “I saw, firsthand, the way the Peruvian government takes advantage of the indigenous people, in fact, walks all over them.”
DHUMA is a grassroots organization and very effective in bringing about change through education and training that empowers the people to stand up for their rights. It has been successful in bringing lawsuits against big mining companies. A One-World Mission grant supported the training workshops—32 “mobile schools” where staff traveled throughout Peru, reaching 1,505 individuals; another eight virtual workshops were held monthly, topics included “Defenders of the Puno region” and “Guardians of the common home.” Almost 500 women participated in a workshop designed especially for them on human rights and care of Mother Earth!
The participants have said, “This is our university,” because it offers the possibility of studying and learning about specialized topics of interest without the prerequisite of having primary or secondary education, which is beyond reach for most.
