LOS ORGANOS

Mama Cocha is in the sleepy town of Los Organos, which is situated between the petroleum-producing area of El Alto to the south and the tourist town of Mancora to the north.

The town was created in 1964, with the inclusion of Caleta, 6km to the south and one of the major fishing zones. Originally, Los Organos was inhabited by workers for the petroleum company, FISCAL, which was responsible for the extraction of oil from this region of Peru. During the national economic crisis of 1992 the company quit the region and laid-off hundreds of workers, leaving the extraction of natural resources to the responsibility of the government. During this period of economic strife a large percentage of Los Organos’ young workforce migrated elsewhere to find work. To add to the impoverishment of the region, Los Organos was hit hard by the two El Niño disasters; particularly the one in 1997-8 and at present is suffering a drought.

Due to the lack of industry in this region at present, Los Organos is a relatively depressed town. Sadly, poverty and social disenfranchisement has led to the development of some social problems, notably alcoholism and domestic violence.

Los Organos is predominantly Catholic and family orientated and like Mancora also has a small gay and transvestite community. It contains a primary and secondary school as well as an institute of higher education and a couple of hospitals. It houses fifteen local government departments including one for the protection of Children’s’ Rights. Los Organos has an active ‘Women’s Committee’ who recently donated materials to Mama Cocha.

Population in 1998: 10,451
Estimated population in 2005: 11,473