VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS OF PERU By Sharon Flannery   I found the International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions, hereinafter referred to as "INFI". The common mission of INFI members is to contribute to eradication of causes of poverty through granting efficient credit, savings and training services to the most depressed human groups, especially women, as part of a support process for sustainable development. Network members intend to encourage the most needy sectors to take control of their own lives by improving their economic and social conditions. INFI helps its members to become self-supporting institutions and to expand their range of financial resources and their impact without compromising the autonomy and independence of the organizations that form it. Another interesting organization is the Coordinating Body for the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin, referred to as COICA. This organization was founded in Peru in 1982 to defend their rights, to strengthen the struggle for their culture's survival and to exchange experiences in search of solutions to local problems. I did see a pattern to most of the organizations I was able to uncover - - that is the purpose of these groups was to improve and preserve their culture. An excellent cite of South America organizations can be found at http://www.nativeweb.org/abayala/org/ where I was able to read about the many organizations throughout the Americas. These cites ranged from promoting the culture and education of the Maya people of Guatemala to an organization that works directly with Amazon leaders in support of their projects for survival, human rights, the environment, health, sustainable development, and education.