JUNTOS and the flag

JUNTOS and the flag

painted on every door in 

moon temple pueblo

While we are waiting in this small pueblo to be rescued from our bus stuck in the mud, children in school uniforms begin arriving and walking up the long, wide street to their homes, to enter doors painted with JUNTOS below a red and white flag. Juntos means "together" and I wondered if it was some sort of political campaign slogan. I always thought junta was a small, secret group united for a common purpose, but the signs on the doors are anything but secret and the Peruvian flag seems to indicate a national association. I find out from our guides that Juntos is a national program created in 2008 to support Peru's poorest households. Each family receives 100 soles (about $30 US) per month in cash after agreeing to send their children to school and provide them with basic healthcare. For many women it is the first time they ever held 100 soles in their hands at one time. Many people invest the money to generate more income for their families, so it is a win-win situation for everyone.