The terrorised Indian communities of the Peruvian highlands will be seen first-hand by a Wickford woman.

Julie Porter flew to Equador at the weekend to begin a year-long tour of south and central America.

The 23-year-old plans to visit projects run by her former employer, Health Unlimited.

The organisation is working hard to help the Quechua Indians in Peru, who were tortured by Shining Path guerillas throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.

Many were brutally murdered and those who survived fled their homes in panic.

With peace reigning once more, the communities have returned to the area and are trying to rebuild their lives - but they need help.

Julie, of Hill Avenue, said: "The guerilla activity has subsided, but people saw their families being murdered - they can't forget that in just a few years.

"They're very poor people and are neglected by an overstretched government.

"In unstable areas organisations usually just offer emergency aid but in Peru Health Unlimited is building community health committees, so people can sit down and discuss their problems."

While in Peru, Julie will do publicity work for the organisation, for which she worked after leaving university.

Julie has been learning Spanish in preparation for her trip and plans to continue her tour through Bolivia, Chile and Argentina, before heading up to Central America.

She said: "I have never left Europe before and spending time with communities whose way of life is so different to my own and who have suffered so much, is going to be a fascinating and challenging experience."

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