In a cool, community-driven project, Leader Mothers and teens are coming together to provide a safe and educational play space for kids in the community. It’s almost Montessori-like in its guided play, and it’s the first supervised common space for kids to play in the whole community, thus fills a very real need!

The play space has educational toys, a library and trained counsellors and library volunteers. It's an amazing for-the-community-by-the-community space!!

2 0 · Like · Comment · Jan 16, 2012 at 05:59 pm

If you support projects or a child in Greater Lima, you might be interested in learning a bit more about some history of the area.

In the late 80s there was rampant terrorist violence in the country. The rural countryside was largely affected, and the 90s brought accelerated rural-to-urban migration. In fact, the highly diverse community we’re partnered with was called an “invasion” because the steep desolate hillsides were never a planned living space.

The violence affected residents, but was also directed at churches and NGOs. Because of at least one high profile murder of aid workers, most organizations pulled out. FH Peru was blessed to be able to remain in the country and stay relatively safe despite the risks.

Overall, security is less of an issue today than it was 20 years ago. Regardless, people still bear the mental, emotional and physical scars of the terrorist violence and mass uprooting.

0 0 · Like · Comment · Jan 11, 2012 at 09:57 am

Two boys off to school in Greater Lima.

Photo by Aaron Young

1 0 · Like · Comment · Nov 14, 2011 at 04:11 pm

“By doing less and involving [community members] more, we’re going to be out of there quicker.” – FH Peru Country Director Ryan Smedes on why so much of their work is about empowering people to bring change to their own communities. Greater Lima aims to graduate as completely self-sufficient from FH by 2015!

1 0 · Like · Comment · Oct 25, 2011 at 11:37 am