Challenges
Peru experienced 5.8% economic growth in 2013 according to the Peruvian newspaper “El Comercio” and, according to Banco Mundial (BM), the country is now one of the economic leaders of Latin America.
The poverty
Poverty persists. Approximately 37% of the Peruvians still live in great poverty. In the poor neighborhoods of the capital Lima, huts after huts are to find in the middle of dusty hills. Somewhere here is Kouri (Slum Ventanilla) located. This is where the “Estación Esperanza” project was recently initiated.
In the Ventanilla district, social problems such as delinquency, drug and alcohol abuse, street crime, family violence, sexual exploitation, and dysfunctional families have increased along with economic advances.
Delinquents and street violence
Compared to other slum areas, Luis Alberto Kouri Haana can be described as a “safe” residential area. Yet many children and young people make friends with peers from other settlements. In the past three years, three teenagers from Luis Alberto Kouri Haana’s families have been killed, due to their participation in nearby gangs.
Parents whose children still go to school are well aware of problems such as street violence. Yet they have gotten used to the situation and do not care much about preventive measures.
Father is missing!
Many children grow up without a father. In various situations, they notice at an early age how young people use drugs. Since they lack male role models, it is not surprising that contact with these young people influences their intellectual and psychological development.
Many mothers live their lives in a monotonous routine and do not set personal goals. Dissatisfaction, financial problems, and dependence on men cause them harm and accompany them all their lives. Their children internalize this and repeat the same mistakes. Since they are never shown that there are different ways of life, they later continue the same lifestyle as their parents.
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