Peru – Not For Sale: End Human Trafficking and Slavery

Latin America has the second highest rates of forced labour in the world, with an estimated 1.3 million people exploited in bonded labour. Not For Sale is using enterprise and rehabiliation programs to fight this cycle in Peru.

New Stories from Peru

Alejandro’s Story: Surfing, Studying, and Shining!

April 30, 2012

This month, NFS Peru resident Alejandro began pursuing a new dream studying architecture at a local university. School isn't the only place he dreams, last year Alejandro was ranked as one of the top 6 BEST surfers on the Peru National Team! Alejandro was forced to beg on the streets at the young age of 10 but instead of becoming trapped by past circumstances, both his surfing and studies have helped him find his identity outside of what he went through. Alejandro is a shining example of how using the simple tools of education and athletics helps survivors embrace freedom and new futures.

Education: The Beginning of Freedom

April 25, 2012

For the young adults at NFS Peru, a new future starts with an education; a luxury lost for many street children. This month, five young residents of Veronica’s House are changing their futures as they begin another school year. Our students are starting high school, studying architecture and cooking in University, and even attending Law School. No matter the subject, the futures of these students are bound by one resounding truth: that they are free. They are free to make choices, free to play, free to learn and free to be whomever they choose...and that's what NFS is all about.

1st Week of Amazon Artisan Training a Huge Success (except for those ugly polo shirts!)

April 20, 2012

Not For Sale's Peru Coordinator Ricardo Dawson reports that this week's artisan training was enthusiastically received by over 130 women representing 8 native communities in Madre de Dios . The training has been designed to increase the quality of local designs, thereby allowing Not For Sale to bridge communities to high-end Boutiques in Lima and increase the payment artisans received for their work. Ricardo was disappointed that the special polo shirts he designed for the event (as is customary for training in Peru) were dismissed by the women as being "unfashionable." Better luck next time!

Not For Sale Invests in Next Generation of Entrepreneurs in the Amazon

April 19, 2012

This week two young leaders of native communities in Madre de Dios Peru, who recently received Not For Sale scholarships, will begin interning at a local social enterprise partner. Working at a local Brazil nut processor, the students will learn a range of skills needed to run a sustainable enterprise in the Amazon. The nut processing enterprise is part of a larger collaboration organized by Not For Sale to bridge communities, local enterprises and ultimately global markets to create dignified jobs in the region.

NFS Peru: The Model

April 18, 2012

Watch this video to see how Not For Sale is fighting exploitation in Peru.

First Two Students Presented NFS Scholarship for Young Indigenous Leaders

April 13, 2012

This week, NFS Peru offered two young leaders from indigenous communities scholarships to study at technical schools and universities. For the past two years Not For Sale Veronica's House has supported over 613 survivors of exploitation many of whom are from poor indigenous communities in the Amazon.The scholarship program, which will expand to over 20 students in 2012, is a critical component of Not For Sale's move UPSTREAM to stop exploitation before it occurs.

One Boat Delivers More Justice for 7 Communities

April 10, 2012

Not For Sale's investment in a boat in the Amazon has resulted in significant savings in time and money for seven native communities transporting this year's Brazil nut harvest to Puerto Maldonado. The new boat and fuel efficient motor have resulted in over $4,000 savings for the communities because their new boat can carry three times more nuts with the same amount of gasoline.

Update from Peru: Not For Sale Launches Artisan Training in the Amazon

April 9, 2012

Today Not For Sale Peru launched artisan trainings for 130 women in 7 native communities in the Madre de Dios region of Peru. Not For Sale’s Peru coordinator, Ricardo, reports that this training represents the first phase in a long-term engagement with 7 communities and affecting over 360 families in the region.

NFS Peru Update: Maria* excels in cooking school!

April 6, 2012

Last month, we shared the story of Maria* overcoming lung surgery to study cooking. We are thrilled to pass along the following update from NFS Peru: Since her surgery, Maria* is getting excellent grades, improving her leadership skills, and immensely enjoying her time in school. Aside from her studies, Maria* makes weekly visits to Veronica’s House and enjoys spending her free time skateboarding and surfing. NFS Peru is thrilled to see Maria's* inspiring success and determination as she embraces her new future!

From Organic Tooth Brushes to Blue Jeans. Not For Sale Peru is Headed Upstream.

April 5, 2012

NFS’s projects in Peru are creating economic alternatives for at-risk communities in the Amazon. Starting with a pilot project of hand-made jewelry for notforsalestore.org in 2011, NFS was approached by several apparel brands to begin the development of cotton clothing sourced from and benefiting over 15,000 individuals in the Peruvian Amazon. While researching a supply chain for blue jeans, NFS’s Peru Coordinator, Ricardo learned that cotton leaves are traditionally used in some native communities to clean teeth! The video can be found here http://bit.ly/Ht8W4G

From Seed to Store: Not For Sale Peru Maps Entire Apparel Supply Chain

April 4, 2012

Not For Sale’s Free2Work tool has introduced consumers to the challenges of transparency in apparel supply chains. In Peru, Not For Sale is working in partnership with local enterprises and an indigenous associations in the Amazon to map a supply chain for naturally colored, organic, brown cotton. The initiative aims to support employment in 70 farming communities comprising of 5,300 people near Pullcapa, Peru.

NFS Boat Delivers Justice and Prevents Exploitation

March 30, 2012

Not For Sale is moving upstream…literally! This week, Ricardo Dawson, the Director of NFS Peru reports that thanks to the boat purchased by Not For Sale earlier this year, justice is being delivered. The 7 indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon that NFS partners with are able to directly transport their 2012 brazil nut harvest to the city, thus bypassing exploitative middle men, allowing community members to be paid a fairer price for their products. This is a significant step towards economic empowerment to +2,000 families whose income is dependant on the harvesting of local resources.

New Futures Through Ethical Sourcing

March 21, 2012

Last week NFS hosted its third Montara Circle. During the event OCHO committed to sourcing ingredients for their candy bars from indigenous communities that collaborate with NFS in Peru. On Monday morning, Ricardo Dawson, NFS Peru’s coordinator took the first steps to make this a reality. Pictured here, Ricardo meets with the head of a cooperative that engages with 2000 farmers in regions of the Peruvian Amazon which are at high risk to human trafficking. Creating alternative opportunities for dignified employment lies at the heart of Not For Sale's strategy to end modern day slavery.

Veronica’s House Filled To Capacity

March 14, 2012

Veronica’s House, a safe house providing immediate and ongoing care for survivors operated by NFS Peru, is filled to capacity. Despite the limited space, Veronica's House is a hub of activity. "The girls in Veronica’s House are being trained to sew clothing and sheets," reports a NFS Peru representative, "which they are selling in the markets in Lima on the weekends." Survivors at the house receive job and life-skills training, as well as classes on Children’s Rights and Human Rights. These activities are designed to empower the women and girls to embrace a new future.

NFS Peru | Overcoming and Achieving

March 11, 2012

Maria*, a survivor of human trafficking at NFS Peru, recently underwent a necessary lung surgery that caused her to temporarily delay her studies. Maria, currently in an entry-level cooking program, was advised to stay away from extreme heat during her recovery process. As a result, she had to wait until she was fully healed to return to her vocational program. We are happy to report Maria recently resumed her classes and has not let the surgery restrict her new future. Support NFS Peru as we provide life-changing care and training to survivors of modern slavery.

NFS Peru meets with community leaders in the Amazon

February 29, 2012

Not For Sale Peru's Coordinator, Ricardo Dawson, recently met with indigenous community leaders in the Amazon. The meeting discussed collaborating with Amazonian nut and cotton companies to improve the quality of goods coming from these marginalized communities. NFS is creating new futures for those vulnerable to human trafficking by developing key relationships that will lead to more dignified work opportunities.

Newer Story

To fight trafficking in Peru, Not For Sale engages major global brands to grow social enterprise in the Amazon, incubating vulnerable communities at the root of trafficking and responds to young victims seeking assistance in Lima. Watch the video below to see how it works.

How You Can Help in Peru

On the Ground in Peru

In Peru, native tribes face innumerable threats to their livelihood from illegal logging and mining to forced eviction and widespread forced prostitution of women and children. Lack of fair employment opportunities drives many into poverty and leads thousands to leave their communities in search of work, many often becoming vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation.

Women and children trafficked to Lima for sexual exploitation often end up living on the streets with no access to protection or support services. Children, deprived of family care, are denied lack basic rights such as education, healthcare, housing and food. Stigmatized as drug addicts, thieves and prostitutes, they are defenseless and subject to abuse, neglect, commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor.

Protection and Reintegration for Survivors

In Peru's capital, Not For Sale supports Lucy, a local abolitionist who operates a safe house for women living on the streets of Lima. Named after a victim of sex trafficking who was found strangled in a hotel room, Veronica’s House provides immediate and lasting care for survivors, providing food, health care, vocational training, and a transitional space to stability.

Not For Sale has expanded the training and job opportunities available to Veronica's House residents and other beneficiaries of Not For Sale Peru. Since 2007, Not For Sale directly supported 40 women and children at Veronica’s house and indirectly assisted over 500 individuals through outreach on the streets.