Good Shepherd Programs in Lima, Perú

**Please note that the following programs are run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, and are thus potential placements for volunteers. However, upon arrival in their host country, Good Shepherd volunteers spend 2-3 months trying several different programs to see where they can best use their skills and gifts. After this “introduction period,” the volunteers choose 2-3 programs to which they devote their energy for their remaining service time.**

Work Sites in Lima, Peru:

Reina de la Paz
A home for young girls aged 11-17 who are pregnant or have very young children. Many of the young girls have been victims of violence and about 40% of the young women are victims of rape or incest. The girls have the opportunity to learn trade skills and have access to more formal education at the home. There is a "day-care" center on the grounds for the babies and the young mom's take turns assisting in the day care activities throughout the week.

Work Options:
- Accompaniment of mothers in various activities including tutoring in school subject
- Teaching or assisting in workshops on trade skills, handcrafts such as sewing, and computers
- Childcare work such as games, bathing, and feeding
- Recreational activities such as volleyball and soccer as well as dance
- Work on a small garden with the mothers

 El Pino
This is a community in one of the highest hills in Lima. The people formed this community during the height of terrorism in Peru and most of the community members came from little towns in the Andes mountains who were forced to come to Lima during the height of violence in the 1980s and 1990s. The sisters have opened a small library for children and community members to use after school and on the weekends. They also work in young adult ministry with teenagers in the community as well as other parish related activities. In addition, the community outreach center in the hill offers after school educational support programs, legal and medical assistance through Peruvian volunteers as well as violence prevention programs. The center has also has a newly opened general store; all of its profits go toward the center’s programs.

Work options:
-  Run the library and provide tutoring assistance
-Facilitate sports, recreation, and aerobics with children and youth
- Facilitate music and theatre projects with children and/or youth
- Educational workshops for youth on subjects including self-esteem, sexual health, relationship building, leadership, etc.

DOMI
A home for adolescent girls that includes a school on the grounds. The girls have lived on the streets of Lima; some have run away from home and others have no place to call home. Some of the young women have also been through the judicial system in Lima and have been involved in small crimes or drug abuse.

Work options:
- Help run and staff the library
-Tutoring work with the girls in various subjects
-Teaching literacy to girls who cannot read or write
- Playing games and sports with the girls
- Educational workshops such as self-esteem, health, etc.
- Collaborate on a project to build a new library on the property grounds
- Accompany girls on field trips (to the beach, city sites, etc).

Colegio Niños Jesus de PragaIn the “Barrios Altos” neighborhood of Lima, the sisters run a secondary school. It serves students who mostly come from very poor backgrounds. At the school the students have opportunities to receive counseling, improve self confidence and also learn practical trade skills.

Work options:
- Co-teaching support in various classes.
- English conversation workshops with the students.

 Centro Amar
An outreach center for women who support themselves and their children through prostitution. The sisters work with lawyers and psychologists to assist the women in obtaining the legal support they need (many come from the interior of the country to work in Lima) as well as counseling. The sisters have opportunities for the women to work as artisans through their fair trade project, Agustina Rivas, where the women are able to make crafts and other items to support themselves instead of working on the streets. The sisters also do home visits with the women. This program is only open to volunteers who have already spent one year working in other placements, or who have specific experience working with this population of women.