It all began with the pandemic.
My son, my family, the children, the elderly, and the families in my community—we were all deeply affected by COVID-19. With limited economic resources, we faced challenges in every essential area: health, access to medicine, food, and education. Our lives were a daily struggle. We reached out to local authorities, but the assistance was minimal and arrived slowly.
So, with a few members of my Valle Ecologico community, I took the initiative to seek out additional help for our children, the sick, and the elderly. That’s when we connected with the NGO Children of Lima, who were the first to extend a hand. They brought us solidarity, hope, and genuine empathy.
They helped us install solar panels and Wi-Fi, enabling the children to attend school online. They also provided books, school supplies, and laptops. They arranged for a doctor, supplied medicines, and even brought a wheelchair for the elderly and infirm. Additionally, they offered food and provided materials to repair our roofs, build water tanks, and even capture water from fog, along with many other forms of support.
My personal commitment is to grow as a human being and to be a positive force for my family, my community, and my country. I want to help build a brighter future and embody resilience, compassion, and strength so that our children have a clearer vision for their future, and so that Peruvian authorities recognize our presence and respect our rights.