From finding their voice to transforming their communities

For many children growing up in Peru's poorest communities, life is shaped by poverty, social exclusion and limited opportunities. Too often, their opinions are overlooked and decisions are made for them rather than with them. Through Warmi Huasi and supported Columban partners, that story is changing.

Across communities in Carabayllo and Ayacucho, children and adolescents are discovering that they have both the right and the ability to shape their own future. Warmi Huasi is training them in leadership, citizenship, life planning and care for creation. They are becoming confident young leaders who are improving life in their schools and neighbourhoods and even influencing public policy. Rather than simply learning about civic responsibility in a classroom, these young people are putting it into practice. They identify the problems affecting their communities, investigate the causes, design solutions and lead projects that make a real difference.

Some initiatives focus on issues that directly affect young people, including bullying, mental illness, drug prevention and teenage pregnancy. Others respond to environmental concerns such as climate change, protection of green spaces and promotion of sustainable living. At Mariano Melgar School in Ayacucho, primary school students now host their own community radio program, “The Voice of School Prefects”. What began as part of a training program has become a nationally recognised initiative, giving children a platform to discuss issues that matter to them while developing confidence, communication skills and critical thinking.

In Carabayllo, secondary students created “Recreation with Feelings”, which has transformed school breaks into opportunities for friendship, inclusion and respectful relationships. Through games and activities, students encourage their peers to reject bullying, drug use and violence while building a culture of care within their school.

Another inspiring initiative saw children reclaim an unused piece of land and transform it into a community football ground. The project, known as “Goals by Nature”, is about more than playing football. It encourages teamwork, inclusion and healthy lifestyles while breaking down barriers between boys and girls through equal participation.

Caring for creation also features strongly. On World Environment Day, children organised a community march, calling families and neighbours to recycle, protect green spaces and care for the environment. In a rural secondary school where access to clean water remains a daily challenge, students established a medicinal plant garden, preserving traditional knowledge while creating a greener and healthier school environment.

Perhaps the greatest achievement, however, extends beyond these community projects. The young participants are now taking their voices into local and national decision-making spaces. Through Children's Consultative Councils and advocacy forums, they meet with government officials, contribute to public discussions and ensure that children's perspectives are included in decisions affecting their lives. Two adolescent girls even represented their communities at the Regional Consultative Meeting of Latin America and the Caribbean, speaking about the impact of climate change on children and advocating for the rights of young people across the region. For children who have often experienced exclusion and vulnerability, these opportunities are life-changing. Children are no longer seen simply as recipients of assistance but as active citizens capable of creating positive change. Their journey reflects an important lesson for all of us. When young people are trusted, listened to and supported, they do not wait for tomorrow to become leaders. They begin transforming their communities today.

This is the mission of Warmi Huasi: walking alongside children and adolescents so that their voices are heard, their dignity is recognised and they become agents of hope in a world that needs their courage more than ever.

St Columbans Mission Society Peru