This document examines the current difficult situation in Peru in light of its historical past. It gives students the opportunity to relate to the problems that the majority of Peruvians are facing and to see how Peru's people are working together for solutions. The text deals with contemporary issues such as the greenhouse effect, the loss of the rainforest, street children, women's issues, the cocaine connection, the guerilla movement known as the Sendero Luminoso, and the country's mass leftist movement. The text is divided into such units as "The Land and Climate"; "History"; "Rural Life"; and "Industry." The units can be duplicated and handed out to the class, used for teacher reference, or made into transparencies and shown on an overhead projector. Since the text covers a wide variety of topics, teachers can choose the subject areas on which they would like to focus. The "Activities" segment of the text corresponds directly to the textual material. The section consists of a series of questions, discussion topics, activities, and research projects. Teachers can choose from the variety of suggestions or they can adapt the ideals to their own methods. (Author/SG)