San Juan de Lurigancho

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Peru).

San Juan de Lurigancho is a district of Lima. Lima is Peru’s capital and largest city located on the Pacific coast. Lima is also one of the largest cities in the Americas. Around one third of the population of Peru lives in Lima. Many families move to Lima in search of a better life. Many neighbourhoods in the urban area of Lima lack housing and basic services such as electricity, sanitation or access to health care and education. People who migrate to Lima often build huts with cardboard, hay or wood on the hills surrounding the city.

Since 1975, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families in San Juan de Lurigancho.

29%
Of households are headed by a woman

Women earn 1.79 times less than men

Around 29% of Peruvian households are headed by a woman. But women earn 1.79 times less than men. This means that many women who are heading households face challenges. Gender inequality in Peru is very high with women facing violence, lower paid work and limited access to education. However, statistics show that households headed by women have lower caloric deficit than male-headed households. This is attributed to the fact that women can better allocate resources.

39%
Of girls finish secondary school

Female illiteracy is higher than male

There are 1 million women in Peru who cannot read and write. In rural areas of Peru, only 39% of girls finish secondary school. In general, low levels of education affect indigenous and rural women the most. Many girls feel unsafe having to walk long distances to school in rural areas. As girls get older, they drop out of school because they need to work on their family farm, care for siblings or work in domestic settings. One third of girls leave education because of pregnancies or early marriage.

Your support makes a difference for children in San Juan de Lurigancho

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
170
Adults and children
Are supported in the community
1,800
Children and young people
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
50
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
40
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
Studying at home. All the children and young people go to kindergartens and school. Young people and adults can also attend training courses (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Peru).

How your support helps in San Juan de Lurigancho

Strengthening vulnerable families and communities
When parents face hardships, they can sometimes struggle to give children the care they need. SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities. Each family needs different support so that they can stay together. This support can include workshops on parenting and children’s rights. We also run trainings so that parents can get the skills they need to get a job or start businesses. Likewise, we ensure that children can get medical help and go to school.
Providing quality education
SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children and young people have access to high-quality education. We help them learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment. We train teachers on children’s rights and child-centered learning, so that each child can get the most out of their education. Young children spend time playing and learning at kindergarten. This prepares them for primary school.
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.
Supporting young people to become independent
To help young people become confident and independent, our local team works closely with each young person to develop a plan for their future. We support young people and also help them prepare for the labour market and increase their employment prospects. For example, young people can attend workshops and trainings run by SOS Children’s Villages. They also improve their skills through taking part in different projects with local mentors and businesses.