Children in the dusty, barren neighbourhood of San Benito on the outskirts of Lima have become protagonists for change thanks to project Warmi Huasi, supported by British Columban Fr Ed O’Connell, who was recently in Britain to report on progress.
Begun in 2011 as an initiative of the Columban parish, Our Lady of the Missions project Warmi Huasi (Women’s Place) identified children and their mothers as those in greatest need of social and educational support. The children quickly became the focus of the project’s work, as they were able to spend most time with them through a dedicated centre, library and homework clubs.
Fr Ed recently sent two videos showing the progress made by some of the children, who have become aware of their rights and empowered to influence local decision makers.
Following the success of the project in San Benito, Warmi Huasi has now been invited to work in remote areas of the Southern Peruvian Andes, employing the same method of working with and through the children to bring about lasting change, in partnership with local parishes and statutory authorities.
Watch: Children In Action: https://youtu.be/QYDua9kloQo
Watch: We Have Rights too: https://youtu.be/wiI5lZqJMG0 
The Warmi Huasi team includes Columban missionary Fr Ed O'Connell, parish priest of Our Lady of the Missions and co-ordinates the work of Warmi Huasi. For more information: http://www.warmihuasi.org/en/