Tress Goodwin

Country: Peru

Program: INPPARES El Instituto Peruano de Paternidad Responsable

Location: Based in Lima, other satellite clinics

Sponsorship of Program: Private/Non- secular.  Affiliate of International Planned Parenthood Foundation.

History/Background of Program: The beginnings of the program started in 1966 with the establishment of the Asociación Peruana de Protección Familiar (APPF).   The program was shut down in 1974 when the military overtook the government.  Two years later in 1976 with the help of the International Planned Parenthood Foundation, INPPARES was established in Peru with many of the same goals and principles of APPF.  Entering its 25^th year of existence, INPPARES has expanded and grown and it recognized internationally as a model for family planning services.  Within Peru, INPPARES is the largest is the largest provider of family planning services among private not-for-profit organizations.  The organization currently runs numerous programs targeting different populations with interventions designed to best fit the needs of these various groups.  Services are offered for very low fees, based on how much an individual can pay. 

Approximate Number of Children Served:  Between August 1998 and July 1999, 13,224 adolescents participated in sexual counseling; 3,530 attended group meetings; 6,592 attended video forums; and 7,799 used INPPARES medical services.

Characteristics of Children Served: Poor adolescents (10-16) years old targeted in their youth programs. 

How Children are Recruited/Selected: Street volunteers actively recruit youth on the street to visit their centers.  Also promotion at local schools and governmental offices.

Financial Basis of Program: Major funding comes from International Planned Parenthood Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, USAID, and private donors.

Philosophy: “INPPARES works to improve the quality of life for all people, especially those with few economic resources, by providing information and services in sexual and reproductive health.” 

Special Features: INPPARES has established many programs to specifically target adolescents.  At the “Centro Futuro” adolescents can receive information, education, and services to help them understand their sexuality and give them the skills they need to reduce unwanted pregnancies, STDs, and the risk of infertility.  They are also currently running a program called Project Yes!!, which operates four centers in low-income areas throughout Lima.  The principal workers at these centers are adolescents who provide a comfortable peer-oriented atmosphere.  There, adolescents can receive information, counseling, ask questions, as well as use multimedia tools to learn more about reproduction and STD’s.