Colegio San Antonio's Centro de Atención Externa (Youth Outreach Center or CAE) in Peru's Subtanjalla District is currently operating in temporary buildings. These structures composed of particle board walls and thatched roofs have only limited electricity and entirely lack running water. To extend the center's mission to meet the basic needs of the area's impoverished and at-risk children, the CAE must be equipped with proper materials and resources.

This project will fund equipment for a multipurpose classroom in the center where workshops, recreational activities, and group sessions for children will be held. The room will have tables, chair, desks, a television, and a DVD player. This classroom will create a comfortable and safe area for CAE program activities and foster a learning environment to promote active participation in the community.

Subtanjalla is a marginalized urban community on the outskirts of Ica City, Peru. More than 90% of the Ica Region was devastated in August 2007 by an earthquake of an 8.0 magnitude. The disaster left more than 80,000 families homeless, and destroyed 120 educational centers. Coprodeli has built a Centro de Atención Externa (Youth Outreach Center) to provide the earthquake's impoverished victims with access to dignified housing, education, health care and child development services.

The CAE is dedicated to providing the extremely impoverished with psychosocial and medical care, proper nutrition, and educational support. The center particularly works to identify children exposed to high risk situations and address their needs on an individual and group basis. During its first year of operation, it is projected that CAE served 50 high-risk children and 30 parents. Estimates indicate that CAE will double its capacity during its second year to reach 100 children and 60 parents.

Meet your partner community, and read their messages and profiles.

Rosely

14-year-old Rosely has attended the Youth Outreach Center for 3 years. When asked if she likes the Center, she answered, "Yes - the teacher is very good and brings us important daily news and information. He helps us work on our homework and also helps us in developing our personality." She also cites the "delicious and nutritious food" as a reason she loves the Center.

Abarca

9-year-old Abarca has been enrolled in the Youth Outreach Center for 2 years. Her father has temporary work in construction painting houses and as a fee collector on buses. Her mother cares for the home and her three younger siblings. Abarca likes religion class, singing, and jumping rope. She has a delicate voice and speaks softly, showing her shyness around people she does not know. During the Earthquake of 2007, the family´s home collapsed and they currently live in a provisional shack where there is no water, drainage or electricity. A plastic covering is in place to shield the home from rain. She enjoys her time at the Center, appreciating the help she receives with her homework and the delicious food.

Direct Impact of Your Project

• Serve 50 high-risk children and 30 parents as part of Subtanjalla’s Colegio San Antonio
• Provide the 50 children and their families with a space for tutoring, studying and community development workshops
• Double the center’s capacity in its second year so it will reach 100 children and 60 parents

Extended Impact on Your Partner Community

• Allow children to develop their potentials both academically and socially
• Enable parents to partake in workshops to learn how to better care for their children outside of school
• Provide children with 2 nutritious meals a day
• Hold workshops on proper nutrition for the benefit of both parents and children