ChildHope in Peru

Setting up a day centre to provide meals, educational activities and medical services in Peru

The LATA Foundation has set up a community centre to provide meals, educational activities and medical services to 36 children in one of the poorest parts of Cuzco whose families were all affected by floods in 2010. 

Versión en Espaňol: ChildHope Proyecto Amhauta

The childen's ages range from 5 to 12. The project was organised by ChildHope UK in conjunction with Amhauta, a local NGO and the involvement of the local community in an area where there was no support from social services. The initiative has been extremely well received by local families.

To view a short film about the project please take a look at the video made by filmmaker Louise Martindale and journalist Ali McClymont:  ChildHope in Peru Film

One mother, Gregoria, offered space in her home from which to run the centre. The house was refurbished, walls made waterproof, the floor was levelled and the space made child-friendly. Another mother, Ruperta, agreed to coordinate the kitchens with a team of volunteers responsible for working out menus, preparing and cooking meals. A group of mothers purchased the furniture items and materials for the day care centre, and everyone helped to decorate, clean and arrange the community centre so activities could commence as soon as possible. Another team coordinate activities. All volunteers receive a small stipend of 10 soles per day. The involvement of mothers in the running of the project gives them responsibility for operations whilst also enabling them to have a guaranteed weekly income and to learn about issues that affect their children’s development.

Nineteen young girls and seventeen boys from Alto San Martín and the two neighbouring settlements of Villa el Sol and Alto Cusco affected by the emergency are being provided with daily meal services, including breakfast, snacks and lunch. They have also started receiving educational support and are enjoying recreation and play activities to improve their life skills and knowledge of basic health and hygiene, none of which had been provided before in the community.

Case study - Juan's story

Juan is 9 years old and lives in the community of Alto San Martín. His parents and 5 brothers used to live in a rented room next to the bus terminal in Quillabamba but recently moved to Santiago district. When we first met him he told us:

“I was in school until second grade, but now I'm not going anymore. My teachers said I behaved badly and that I did not learn as I fought a lot. I like maths but reading and writing is horrible. I always have breakfast, but lunch and dinner only when there is any. I sleep in the pig’s den because I cry a lot and wet my bed.”

On identifying Juan’s situation, the project began to conduct regular home visits and to have talks with his mother to give her a better understanding of the causes of Juan’s behaviour. As a result of these conversations, we have been able to get Juan’s mother to request that her child be re-admitted into school, so that he continues his education and does not roam around all day alone in the neighbourhood.

Juan has been attending the centre and the project is accompanying him back to health. The project helped prepare Juan for his entrance exam to get re-admitted in school, and as a result he has been accepted back in the morning shift from August. Upon hearing this news, Juan told us:

“I was received with applause by my classmates, especially the girls. I know I have to keep going to school but sometimes my head cannot remember and I forget much of what they tell me. For example now I don’t know what homework I have due so I want to cry.”

The project is helping Juan overcome these difficulties and become more interested in his studies, occupying his mind and helping him learn new things by reading stories, drawing, and playing. The project and his new friends are giving him the affection and support he needs to build his confidence.

NB. Names have been changed.

ChildHope want to make the children’s community centre in Cuzco permanent, and to do this we are keen to help them find additional sponsors locally. The project currently requires £1149 per month.

If you would like to make a donation or set up a monthly direct debit to support our work, please click onto our Donations pages or go to www.justgiving.com/lata.  

For more information about this project please take a look at the video made by filmmaker Louise Martindale and journalist Ali McClymont:      http://www.youtube.com/user/latafoundation

Date project approved: 09 April 2010