|
|
|
|
|
page last updated 5-9-2022
|
Asociación Civil Centro Esperanzal
IF accepts tax-deductible contributions through check or credit card. If writing a check for a specific project, designate the project on your check, and please make it payable to: IF 160 Sunflower Lane Watsonville, CA 95076
2021 Update
Supporting Immigrants in Peru
Centro Esperanza (Hope Center) is very impacted by COVID, as is the entire country of Peru. Even some of the organization’s staff have recently contracted the virus. According to Refugees International, “over 1 million Venezuelans in Peru made extremely challenging journeys and faced barriers to entry to find refuge in a new country.” Yet, the Peruvian government provides little humanitarian assistance to Venezuelan communities.The Venezuelan immigrants Centro Esperanza serves with their grant from IF are in an emergency situation and have access to very few services. As of January 2021, roughly 721,500 Venezuelans and host community members needed shelter, 579,500 lacked proper water and sanitation services, 965,500 faced food insecurity, 857,500 needed healthcare, 414,000 need access to education, and 809,500 need protection. Many fled Venezuela because of inability to work, food security, and lack of healthcare. Now, Venezuelans face some of these challenges again in Peru. (Refugees International-Rachel Schmidtke and Anatalí Oquendo Lorduy April 8, 2021. Fortunately, Centro Esperanza is able to provide food and other assistance to Venezuelan immigrants who live in the Chiclayo area of Peru, and among those most negatively affected by the pandemic in the county. Centro Esperanza and the Commission of Human Mobility and |
Trafficking People from the Diocese of Chiclayo joined forces, with the support of IF, to carry out accompaniment services and promote the integration of the Venezuelan migrant community in the district of “José L. Ortiz” through the project: “PROMOTING THE INTEGRATION OF VENEZUELAN MIGRANT FAMILIES IN “JOSÉ LEONARDO ORTIZ DISTRICT”. This project was developed in February and March 2021.
With the participation of Venezuelan leaders, 20 vulnerable Venezuelan families and 10 Peruvian families were identified to receive food and biosecurity during the pandemic. In addition, 5 Venezuelan families were selected to receive help in setting up a business. According to Gladys, the Executive Director of Centro Esperanza, “These actions promoted joy and hope in these families to take charge of their own life and economy, promoting economic activities that generate income for their families”. (Taken from a verbal report by Lucia Lopez-Member, IF Board of Directors; Refugees International-Rachel Schmidtke and Anatalí Oquendo Lorduy, and a report provided by Gladys Executive Director, Centro Esperanza.) |
|
With IF's support, Asociación Civil Centro Esperanza in Chiclayo, Peru, conducts Youth Development Workshops in the District of La Victoria. Their programs serve youth 15-18 years of age who live in one of the poorest sectors of the region of Lambayeque. The program coordinator explains that these teens "have few opportunities in life and are at a permanent risk of drugs, delinquency, street gangs, corruption and machismo." Since its founding as a non-profit civil association in 1996 Centro Esperanza has provided empowerment training for youth, women and social leaders.
Centro Esperanza trains boys and girls, youth, teachers, and female and male leaders. They create spaces for dialogue and community mobilization. Centro Esperanza strengthens ethical leadership and active citizen participation in order to promote democracy and holistic human development in the region of Lambayeque and in Peru. |
The Youth Development Workshops build upon Centro Esperanza's positive outcomes by offering tools to strengthen self-discipline and motivation. These perceptive teens will experience an opportunity to grow and change in ways that can improve their lives. Workshop topics include personal development and leadership; family and social relationships based on equality, respect and dialogue; and care of the environment. click on map for larger image
2020 Update: Interculturality
Due to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, a lot of families have been forced to get out of their country. In Peru, there are more than one million Venezuelan migrants looking for opportunities and better living conditions. In the country there are no migration policies to receive such amount.
In Chiclayo city, more than 17,000 migrants are reported, of which 6,000 Venezuelan citizens are legally registered according to Migrations. In order to achieve adequate integration and access to opportunities, it's essential that they have documents proving their immigration status.
One of the districts that concentrates a high population of Venezuelan migrants is José Leonardo Ortiz. The most vulnerable families are concentrated thereThe characteristic of the population in José Leonardo Ortiz are: Complete families in overcrowded situations, 30% are children and teenagers in study age, high percentages of pregnant women and older adults. The presence of the Commission of Human Mobility of the Church Catholic in Chiclayo has been accompanying the process of welcome and integration of migrants and is a strength that allows us to implement this initiative.
One of the approaches of Centro Esperanza is Interculturality. We hope that, this small project will help us to have information as a result of the intercultural dialogues between Peruvians and Venezuelans and it allows this integration process to continue based on the proposals and involvement of themselves. On the other hand, with the support received, the work of the Human Mobility and Trafficking Commission of the Diocese of Chiclayo will be strengthened and it will allow them, to reach more sectors of the migrant population.
In Chiclayo city, more than 17,000 migrants are reported, of which 6,000 Venezuelan citizens are legally registered according to Migrations. In order to achieve adequate integration and access to opportunities, it's essential that they have documents proving their immigration status.
One of the districts that concentrates a high population of Venezuelan migrants is José Leonardo Ortiz. The most vulnerable families are concentrated thereThe characteristic of the population in José Leonardo Ortiz are: Complete families in overcrowded situations, 30% are children and teenagers in study age, high percentages of pregnant women and older adults. The presence of the Commission of Human Mobility of the Church Catholic in Chiclayo has been accompanying the process of welcome and integration of migrants and is a strength that allows us to implement this initiative.
One of the approaches of Centro Esperanza is Interculturality. We hope that, this small project will help us to have information as a result of the intercultural dialogues between Peruvians and Venezuelans and it allows this integration process to continue based on the proposals and involvement of themselves. On the other hand, with the support received, the work of the Human Mobility and Trafficking Commission of the Diocese of Chiclayo will be strengthened and it will allow them, to reach more sectors of the migrant population.
2014 Project: Project Crecer
In La Pinta, Chosica Del Norte and San Borja, there are inadequate recreational, educational or safe public spaces for children and youth to play and socialize outside of their own households. Youth run the risk of being pressured by their peers to use drugs, drink alcohol or participate in crime or gang activity. The high rate of teenage pregnancies in low income communities is also a major problem that needs to be addressed through project and programs.
At the household level, many parents work long hours because they are underpaid and underemployed. They have limited time during the day to take care of and enjoy time with their children. The majority of children and youth have experienced psychological and physical violence within their family network. The lack of access to educational opportunities and parental support reduces children and youth´s ability to lead productive, meaningful, and prosperous lives which allow them to leave the cycle of poverty and contribute to the development of their communities.
Project Crecer will contribute to empowering children and youth and their families from three low income communities in the city of Chiclayo. The project is based on the awareness that true sustainable community development cannot be achieved without attending to children and youths' needs, interests and priorities. Helping children and youth develop life skills and engage in educational opportunities are important factors that improve quality of life within a community.
At the household level, many parents work long hours because they are underpaid and underemployed. They have limited time during the day to take care of and enjoy time with their children. The majority of children and youth have experienced psychological and physical violence within their family network. The lack of access to educational opportunities and parental support reduces children and youth´s ability to lead productive, meaningful, and prosperous lives which allow them to leave the cycle of poverty and contribute to the development of their communities.
Project Crecer will contribute to empowering children and youth and their families from three low income communities in the city of Chiclayo. The project is based on the awareness that true sustainable community development cannot be achieved without attending to children and youths' needs, interests and priorities. Helping children and youth develop life skills and engage in educational opportunities are important factors that improve quality of life within a community.
2013 Project: Youth Group as "Change Agents in Chosica del Norte"
Project Report: the project organized a group of twenty-three girls and boys, ages 13 to 15 years, in a vulnerable peri-urban area outside the city of Chiclayo called Chosica del Norte. Parents have expressed concern for their young people considering the growing rate of petty crime and gang activity organized by youth in Chosica del Norte. The youth group was an opportunity to begin a long term process of empowering marginalized youth as change agents for years and generations to come in Chosica del Norte.
Centro Esperanza carried out a participatory needs assessment which enabled facilitators to develop lesson plans and activities. The main goals were to strengthened the life skills of 23 youth while empowering them as leaders to recognize their strengths, creativity and talents.
The project provided the youth with a new opportunity to learn, play and socialize with fellow youth. They were empowered to strengthen their life skills such as problem solving, conflict resolution and interpersonal and leadership skills. Family members were supportive and valued the initiative.
The project activities carried out in 2013 included: conducting twenty-one youth workshops with topics focusing on
a) taking action against racism, bullying, and social exclusion; b) social inclusion, cooperation, and teamwork; c) youth group norms; and d) self esteem. The youth were active participants in the workshops and in establishing their group norms. They also organized and participated in a youth group event entitled, "Inspire Yourself". This event had 68 participants, made up of 34 youth and 34 adults.
In their year end assessment the project directors noted that the majority of participants had made significant progress in their practice of critical thinking skills, cooperative decision making and teamwork, assumption of individual responsibility for group norms and decisions, and increased self esteem. They also noted that some participants still engaged in discriminatory behavior in their group settings and did not fully engage in the workshop activities. Other obstacles to full participation in the workshops for some youths were work and family commitments.
Future plans are to continue to conduct similar youth programs; to connect the Chosica del Norte Youth Group with other youth groups, networks and organizations in order to provide greater opportunities for training and youth development; and to develop activities that promotes parent and community involvement with youth in Chosica del Norte.
click on the play button to view some of the 2013 project activities
Centro Esperanza carried out a participatory needs assessment which enabled facilitators to develop lesson plans and activities. The main goals were to strengthened the life skills of 23 youth while empowering them as leaders to recognize their strengths, creativity and talents.
The project provided the youth with a new opportunity to learn, play and socialize with fellow youth. They were empowered to strengthen their life skills such as problem solving, conflict resolution and interpersonal and leadership skills. Family members were supportive and valued the initiative.
The project activities carried out in 2013 included: conducting twenty-one youth workshops with topics focusing on
a) taking action against racism, bullying, and social exclusion; b) social inclusion, cooperation, and teamwork; c) youth group norms; and d) self esteem. The youth were active participants in the workshops and in establishing their group norms. They also organized and participated in a youth group event entitled, "Inspire Yourself". This event had 68 participants, made up of 34 youth and 34 adults.
In their year end assessment the project directors noted that the majority of participants had made significant progress in their practice of critical thinking skills, cooperative decision making and teamwork, assumption of individual responsibility for group norms and decisions, and increased self esteem. They also noted that some participants still engaged in discriminatory behavior in their group settings and did not fully engage in the workshop activities. Other obstacles to full participation in the workshops for some youths were work and family commitments.
Future plans are to continue to conduct similar youth programs; to connect the Chosica del Norte Youth Group with other youth groups, networks and organizations in order to provide greater opportunities for training and youth development; and to develop activities that promotes parent and community involvement with youth in Chosica del Norte.
click on the play button to view some of the 2013 project activities