Case Study

How could a mother ever abandon her child? If you ask one of Peru’s street children, regrettably they can give you an answer. For many, they were the oldest son in their family (usually four or five years old) and told by their mothers to leave because they could no longer afford to keep them. With no other option but to turn to the streets of cities like Lima and Cusco, they have slept in public parks and have begged for money to buy food.

Alarmed by the treacherous lives faced each day by so many of Peru’s street children, Elsa Chigna gathered community leaders and local church members to care for these children. Their efforts created Asociación Ágape, which provides holistic support for Peru’s at-risk youth (“ninos en alto riesgo”), many of whom are abandoned or abused children. Since they often lack identification records, Ágape helps the children to obtain their birth certificates without which they have no access to public education and health benefits from the government. The organisation also provides short-term shelter as the children undergo intensive care for psychological and trauma issues, and until they can find a new adoptive home.

Asociación Ágape employs a grassroots approach to raise awareness of the problems street children face, especially domestic violence, sexual and physical abuse. The majority of the street campaigns, workshops and training is targeted towards teachers and church leaders to detect domestic violence and assist victims in getting help. The organisation also defends victims of sexual and physical abuse in court against their offenders and has, after nearly 20 years since its founding, directly impacted the lives of thousands of children and young adults.

Preventing Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence in a Peruvian Slum

Legatum granted US$63,000 in 2005 to Asociación Ágape for their work with street children. The organisation used the funds to legally register 600 children for birth certificates and train 760 community leaders and teachers on how to detect domestic violence. It also launched public campaigns to address issues of violence and abuse which reached at least 4,000 people. Its large-scale efforts directly and indirectly impacted nearly 13,000 children and community members.

Leadership

Moved by compassion to help Peru’s abandoned children, Elsa motivated others to follow her vision and care for them. These children now not only receive food and clothing but also counselling and the opportunity to study.