Peru – Family Strengthening and Youth Support

Peru has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; around 100,000 children lost a parent or their closest caregiver, 22% of jobs were lost, and wages dropped by 15%. Many of the orphaned children now live with their extended family, but as the economic situation has worsened for many families, they struggle to meet their basic needs like food, health, education, and housing. Alongside the effects of the pandemic, aspects like racial heritage, skin colour and social background have a great impact on a child’s future, and Peru has a high child labour rate of over 30 per cent. Further, the country faces challenges to break down cultural practices, such as using corporal punishment to discipline children.

This programme includes multiple elements based on the needs of the region, including reintegration of foster families into the community, youth care, and family strengthening.

Reintegration of Foster Families: SOS Peru is working to reintegrate families currently living in the SOS Children’s Village back into the community, to reduce the stigma of living in a separate compound. The number of SOS families is reduced from ten to five, so that each family has two permanent caregivers, increasing the level of care for the children and youth. Unoccupied houses will be offered for rent to families from the community to promote the integration of the SOS houses into the city. The work is done in coordination with the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP).

Youth Care: The participating youth are prepared for independent living through vocational and occupational guidance, training in computer and technology skills, and education on violence prevention, sexual health and drugs/addiction.

Family Strengthening: This part of the programme builds on previous experience of family strengthening programmes in Peru to prevent children from being separated from their caregivers and promote community participation in their care and protection. In 2022, this programme was expanded to include four new locations beyond Cuzco. Families are supported through training in active and caring parenting, sexuality and gender, entrepreneurship, and employability. The families are also assisted so that their children can access education and public health insurance.

Overall Goals

• Improve the environment for children and youth growing up.
• Optimise the services provided by SOS and focus on family-based care in looking after vulnerable children.
• Improve parenting skills and conditions of families at risk, and reintegrate families to provide adequate care and protection for their children.
• Implement adequate practices to be applied by family caregivers in vulnerable situations and community leaders to ensure children’s care and protection.

Photo: Alejandra Kaiser