About us
Seeds of Hope’s mission is to support children, teenagers and young adults living in extreme poverty in Huaraz, Peru, and to provide vocational training for those without economic means, thus enabling them to break the cycle of poverty.
Many kids between the ages of 6-14 work in the streets to help supplement their parents’ income and support their families. These kids from poverty-stricken areas are forced to make the decision to pursue financial compensation instead of an education. As a result, the child drops out of school, and lives hand-to-mouth in an attempt to support their family. The same can be said for those who finish education at 18. Despite dreams to pursue further education, financial barriers mean that they have to pursue immediate financial compensation, rather than invest in future careers. Furthermore, this hampers the economic development of the local community, as well as the nation as a whole.
Seeds of Hope supports the pursuit of education for all levels and ages. We are dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by providing a supportive environment in which our students are encouraged and supported to staying in education. For students between 6-18, we provide help with homework, workshops on important topics including nutrition, hygiene, well-being etc. For older students who want to pursue further education, we cover fees, uniforms or smart clothing, resources and provide a physical space for them to complete their work. Our program runs from our own small school in the centre of Huaráz and provides a safe space for the children to do their homework and additional practice, with the help of our qualified teachers, plus local and international volunteers.
We also run additional projects throughout the year, for example, our Nutrition Project funds our students with a nutritious meal at the end of each session and our Supplies Drive seeks funds to provide new uniforms, a backpack, study materials, etc. Additional financial costs that we cover include school matriculation fees and/or medical assistance as the need arises. Covering these costs means that our students are able to fully participate in school without their family worrying about hidden schooling costs. This one-to-one assistance is crucial, as many of our students come from families where the parents cannot read or write, or work long hours to feed and clothe their families. Therefore, these are the children at high-risk of dropping out of the educational system. We also aim to educate the children's parents about the importance of schooling as well as the long-term benefits that pursuing an education will bring to their family.
Due to Seeds of Hope’s success since its opening in 2006, we have a number of students who have been successful in achieving their career goals through completing university, college or technical programs and are now working full-time in their dream roles. Some of our graduated students who are now in higher education return to volunteer with us to help educate the next generation of Seeds students, demonstrating the positive impact that Seeds of Hope has had on their lives.
Many kids between the ages of 6-14 work in the streets to help supplement their parents’ income and support their families. These kids from poverty-stricken areas are forced to make the decision to pursue financial compensation instead of an education. As a result, the child drops out of school, and lives hand-to-mouth in an attempt to support their family. The same can be said for those who finish education at 18. Despite dreams to pursue further education, financial barriers mean that they have to pursue immediate financial compensation, rather than invest in future careers. Furthermore, this hampers the economic development of the local community, as well as the nation as a whole.
Seeds of Hope supports the pursuit of education for all levels and ages. We are dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by providing a supportive environment in which our students are encouraged and supported to staying in education. For students between 6-18, we provide help with homework, workshops on important topics including nutrition, hygiene, well-being etc. For older students who want to pursue further education, we cover fees, uniforms or smart clothing, resources and provide a physical space for them to complete their work. Our program runs from our own small school in the centre of Huaráz and provides a safe space for the children to do their homework and additional practice, with the help of our qualified teachers, plus local and international volunteers.
We also run additional projects throughout the year, for example, our Nutrition Project funds our students with a nutritious meal at the end of each session and our Supplies Drive seeks funds to provide new uniforms, a backpack, study materials, etc. Additional financial costs that we cover include school matriculation fees and/or medical assistance as the need arises. Covering these costs means that our students are able to fully participate in school without their family worrying about hidden schooling costs. This one-to-one assistance is crucial, as many of our students come from families where the parents cannot read or write, or work long hours to feed and clothe their families. Therefore, these are the children at high-risk of dropping out of the educational system. We also aim to educate the children's parents about the importance of schooling as well as the long-term benefits that pursuing an education will bring to their family.
Due to Seeds of Hope’s success since its opening in 2006, we have a number of students who have been successful in achieving their career goals through completing university, college or technical programs and are now working full-time in their dream roles. Some of our graduated students who are now in higher education return to volunteer with us to help educate the next generation of Seeds students, demonstrating the positive impact that Seeds of Hope has had on their lives.
Our Objectives
- Provide students with a strong academic and personal education, founded on values and principles which will improve their prospects for the future and develop their potential for independent thought.
- Aid our students with medical assistance as required, either by our trained professionals or in conjunction with other organizations.
- Teach our students to practice personal hygiene.
- Provide our students with clothes, shoes, and school equipment.
- Give our students the emotional support they need while they are part of the organization.
- Fight for the rights of the children and provide them and their families with legal assistance where needed.
Soon we hope to:
- Teach people living in poverty the practical skills they need to make a living through selling handmade arts and crafts.
- Create micro-businesses which will give them the opportunity of fixed employment (we're always looking for people with great ideas!)
The Cost of Schooling
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Education in Peru is free at the initial point of entry, but there are many other costs involved with sending a child to school. Firstly, the family is accustomed to the child supplementing the family income, so they are left with a gap in their income when the child attends class instead of working on the streets. Additionally, there are the costs of the uniforms, pens, paper, books, and food, that amounts to around $15 per month per child.
The parents simply cannot afford these extra costs, particularly when they might have three or four children of school age. Seeds of Hope runs our Supplies Drive project which provides the materials to help children participate fully in school, as well as daily support with homework. We also offer other assistance to help support the families of Seeds of Hope when a particular need arises. |
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Working with the Children
Once the children are attending Seeds of Hope, we work to provide a high quality education that will develop their personal capabilities, confidence and skills. We teach them important lessons such as peer solidarity, acceptance of responsibility, honesty, punctuality, and respect. We achieve this with the help of a group of professional volunteers - both local and international - who work with the children in a safe environment, which is conducive to learning.
Some of the daily activities that we conduct are:
When necessary, we also bring in trained professionals for other matters, including:
In the future, we hope to be able to offer workshops in the local community which will teach knitting, t-shirt printing, card making, and ceramics so that we can start micro-businesses. Additionally, we want to teach a course on basic business principles, so that these entrepreneurs can grow their business to include the exportation of goods, create additional jobs, and provide income now (and also in the future). If you have these skills and are willing to teach them, don't hesitate to contact us.
Some of the daily activities that we conduct are:
- Helping children with their homework, and ensuring it is completed by the end of the session.
- Working with children to build up their basic reading, writing, and arithmetic to a level appropriate for their age, so they can progress in school.
- Ensuring that all children understand the importance of personal hygiene, including showering, brushing their teeth, and washing their face and hands, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
When necessary, we also bring in trained professionals for other matters, including:
- Sexual education, with the aim of reducing teenage pregnancies and preventing of sexually transmitted diseases (especially HIV and AIDS).
- Legal advice to protect the rights and integrity of children as well as their families.
- Psychological support for children that come from broken families with a high incidence of violence and/or parental negligence, often due to economic conditions or alcoholism.
In the future, we hope to be able to offer workshops in the local community which will teach knitting, t-shirt printing, card making, and ceramics so that we can start micro-businesses. Additionally, we want to teach a course on basic business principles, so that these entrepreneurs can grow their business to include the exportation of goods, create additional jobs, and provide income now (and also in the future). If you have these skills and are willing to teach them, don't hesitate to contact us.
External Links
View our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/seedsofhoperu
Check out our Omprakash profile, which includes past volunteers' reviews and stories: omprakash.org/global/seeds-of-hope
Read our blog, which features entries from past and present volunteers: seedsofhoperu.blogspot.pe
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/seedsofhopeperu
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/seedsofhoperu/
Check out our Omprakash profile, which includes past volunteers' reviews and stories: omprakash.org/global/seeds-of-hope
Read our blog, which features entries from past and present volunteers: seedsofhoperu.blogspot.pe
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/seedsofhopeperu
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/seedsofhoperu/