Building Hope: A Vision of Unity and Empowerment in Peru

by | Sep 13, 2024 | Human Rights & Dignity, ShiftHappens

Location: PERU

Beneficiaries: 64 underserved families

The Project

In the heart of Lima, Peru, perched atop a hill, lies the “10 de julio” human settlement – a community of 64 families facing extreme poverty and daily struggles. In 2023, The Pollination Project recognized the potential for change in this community and awarded a seedgrant to Andre Velasquez for the “10 de julio Human Settlement’s Community Hub” project. This is the story of how a small grant can plant the seeds of transformation and nurture a community’s growth.

The “10 de julio” settlement has long grappled with the challenges of poverty, particularly in securing daily meals for its residents. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated these difficulties, pushing the community to its limits. Yet, in the face of adversity, the spirit of solidarity prevailed. The “Madres Trabajadoras” (Working Mothers) communal kitchen emerged as a symbol of resilience, providing affordable meals to the 64 households.

However, the community lacked a secure, dedicated space for their collective activities. Andre Velasquez’s vision was clear: to build a multipurpose community center that would serve as the heart of “10 de julio.” This center would house a meeting room, a children’s library, and an improved communal kitchen – a true hub for community development and empowerment.

The project’s goals were ambitious yet crucial:

  • Provide a safe, efficient space for food preparation and storage
  • Reduce rates of anemia and respiratory ailments caused by wood-fire cooking
  • Create a flexible, high-quality space for daily meals, meetings, and workshops
  • Introduce resources to develop community capacity, particularly for women and children

The Impact of the Seed Grant

The impact of the initial support received from TPP has been profound and far-reaching:

Leveraging Additional Support: Armed with the credibility provided by the TPP grant, the project successfully secured a place on the GlobalGiving crowdfunding platform. This led to an additional $1,020 in funding, crucial for complementing the construction of the project’s first stage.

Building Partnerships: The grant’s impact extended beyond finances. It opened doors to partnerships with allied NGOs, resulting in vital material donations such as cement bags for the retaining wall – a testament to the power of community collaboration.

Touching Lives: The project has directly impacted over 300 individuals, bringing hope and tangible improvements to their daily lives.

Momentum for Progress: The seedgrant provided the initial boost needed to solidify plans and begin the crucial first stages of construction, setting the project on a path to success.

 

We want to express our deepest gratitude to PPJ for being a part of this project and making the dream of the families in the “10 de Julio” Family Group a reality. The construction of this community center is a significant milestone in the historical process of forming the neighborhood.

 

The Future

The journey of “10 de julio” is far from over. With the foundation laid, both literally and figuratively, the community is poised for a future filled with promise:

Completing Construction: The immediate goal is to finish the first construction stage within four weeks, providing a solid base for the remainder of the project.

Expanding Partnerships: Plans are underway to forge new strategic alliances and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to ensure the project’s completion and sustainability.

Empowering Through Education: Once construction is complete, the focus will shift to developing and implementing training programs and workshops. These will cover critical topics such as food sovereignty, circular economy, family finances, job promotion, soft skills development, and urban planning – equipping community members with tools for self-reliance and growth.

Government Collaboration: A partnership with the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion is on the horizon, aiming to integrate the community center into the QaliWarma program. This will ensure healthy, nutritious meals for the children of “10 de julio” while solidifying the center’s role as a hub for social development.

The story of “10 de julio” is a powerful reminder of the ripple effect that a single act of support can create. From a seedgrant grew a community’s ability to take charge of its future, demonstrating the transformative power of grassroots initiatives. As The Pollination Project, we are honored to have played a part in nurturing this growth, and we look forward to witnessing the continued blossoming of the “10 de julio” Human Settlement’s Community Hub.

André Velásquez

Andre Velasquez is an architect from Lima, Peru, whose work focuses on the social production of habitat and community empowerment. With postgraduate studies in participatory and sustainable design methodologies, Velasquez is committed to improving living conditions for vulnerable communities through innovative, collaborative approaches.

As co-founder of Habitable, a transdisciplinary non-profit association, Velasquez leads participatory design and construction projects at the neighborhood scale. The organization, comprising architects, sociologists, and anthropologists, aims to enhance communities’ self-management capacity and quality of life through integral habitat improvement.

Velasquez advocates for participatory and horizontal design processes as tools for social transformation. His work with Habitable, supported by the College of Architects of Peru and private entities, demonstrates the power of community-centered architecture in effecting positive change.

 

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✨ "Every child deserves to see the world clearly." NEW PROJECT ✴️
In Mushin, Lagos, Vision Care for Kids is bringing this dream to life by improving the eyesight of children aged 6-16 in underserved communities. With the support of one of our seedgrants, this school-based initiative is set to:

👓 Screen 150 school children for visual impairments.
👓 Provide eyeglasses, eye drops, and essential medications.
👓 Train 20 community healthcare workers and teachers in eye care awareness.

Through community engagement, school-based interventions, and education workshops, this project aims to reduce childhood blindness and promote early detection of vision problems, giving every child a brighter, clearer future.

We’re proud to support this incredible work that’s transforming lives - one pair of glasses at a time. 💛

#EyeCareForAll #VisionCareForKids #ThePollinationProject #ChildHealth #CommunityImpact #BetterFuture #MushinLagos
✨ "Every child deserves to see the world clearly." NEW PROJECT ✴️
In Mushin, Lagos, Vision Care for Kids is bringing this dream to life by improving the eyesight of children aged 6-16 in underserved communities. With the support of one of our seedgrants, this school-based initiative is set to:

👓 Screen 150 school children for visual impairments.
👓 Provide eyeglasses, eye drops, and essential medications.
👓 Train 20 community healthcare workers and teachers in eye care awareness.

Through community engagement, school-based interventions, and education workshops, this project aims to reduce childhood blindness and promote early detection of vision problems, giving every child a brighter, clearer future.

We’re proud to support this incredible work that’s transforming lives - one pair of glasses at a time. 💛

#EyeCareForAll #VisionCareForKids #ThePollinationProject #ChildHealth #CommunityImpact #BetterFuture #MushinLagos
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What’s one small way you can make the world a better place this week? 🌟
Whether it’s a kind word, a helping hand, or a moment of generosity—every action matters. Drop your ideas in the comments! 👇💬

🧡 Tag someone who inspires you to take action!