Project Overview
In Peru childhood is one of the most vulnerable and unprotected periods of the life. Two thirds of children under the age of 5 live in poverty and 2 out of 10 live in extreme poverty. Similarly, 4% of children aged between 5 and 11 years do not attend school. More than 54% of the population lives in poverty or in extreme poverty meaning children and adolescents are at great risk.
Street children are minors in social risk who live in deplorable conditions on public roads where they eat, sleep, steal, sniff glue "Terokal", make bets, establish relationships, have children of their own and are victims of labor and sexual exploitation. 92% of these children consume drugs and alcohol. This critically affects their mental and physical development. These children come from dysfunctional families with major economic problems, are far more likely to drop out of school, and are often victims of abuse and violence. They are children and adolescents who, for the most part, have "escaped" from their home. Their personality is characterized by low self esteem, frustration, irritability, deficits in self-control, distrust of others, problems with authority and exacerbation of sexuality and aggression
Started in 2001 in Huanchaco, Home for ex-street children is a not-profit association whose goal is to provide children and adolescents living in the streets and in extreme poverty an opportunity for a better future. It strives to generate the necessary means and resources needed for the street children in order to reintegrate them into society as useful and well-adjusted human beings.
It has been also offering workshops on high quality candle production to during their free time and for the older ones an alternative choice for employment. The income gained from the candle sales is used to cover the costs of running the project.
Volunteer Roles/ Working Hour
- Assisting with office work.
- Assisting in promotion and distribution of the candles (visits to shops and restaurants).
Working hours can be flexibly arranged. Volunteers are required to commit 20 hours per week of volunteering.
Volunteer Requirements
- Spanish Level to Start Project: Advanced
- Time Commitment: Min. 2 months
Minimum Age: 25 years - CV and the motivation letter in Spanish
Able to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) tools - Flexible in working hours and able to adapt quickly to changes in work content
- Able to work both independently and in a team
- Responsible and committed in fulfilling assigned tasks
