Our work
Every project started with a question to the community: what's missing here?
Six HELP projects we run ourselves and two partnerships, all rooted in the informal settlements around Huanchaco, Northern Peru.
- Education
- Environment
- Empowerment
What is HELP?
The Huanchaco Education and Learning Programme
HELP is the family of projects we design and run ourselves. It launched in 2011, and every project in it began the same way: by listening to families in the informal settlements around Huanchaco and asking what was missing.
Most of our work happens at our Recreational and Educational Centre (the REC) in Cerrito de la Virgen, a hillside community settled by families who lost their homes in the El Niño floods of 1997–98. Many homes still have no running water or sewage, and there were no community spaces for children to learn and play safely. The REC changed that.
- HELP launches
- 2011
- HELP projects, one being restructured
- 6
- Partner projects
- 2
The REC
Our Recreational and Educational Centre in Cerrito de la Virgen, home to most HELP classes.
Three pillars, one mission
Education
English, Spanish literacy and a love of reading, in classes small and playful enough that every child is seen.
Environment
Beach cleans, gardens and water stewardship that turn children into guardians of the coast they live on.
Empowerment
Safe spaces where young people and women build confidence, find their voice and shape their own futures.
Programme explorer
Explore the HELP projects
Showing 6 projects
HELP EnglishPlay-based English classes for children in Cerrito de la Virgen, plus daily lessons in local schools that can't provide English teachers.
HELP EnvironmentEnvironmental education, the monthly Yo Cuido Mi Playa beach clean, and community and hydroponic gardens at our Rec Centre.
HELP LiteracyLitClubs that help children aged 10–15 fall in love with reading, writing and storytelling, and Spanish literacy for younger children.
HELP YouthFrom a skate ramp to a full youth programme: skateboarding, football, arts and crafts and healthy lifestyles in a safe, supervised space.
HELP SwimSwimming and water-safety lessons that save lives, paired with water stewardship classes. Supported by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
HELP WomenBeing restructuredA safe space for women in Huanchaco to learn and develop new skills. We're currently redesigning the project around what women in the community need today.
Partner projects
Stronger together
Be part of what happens next
Volunteer on a HELP project in Huanchaco, or fund the classes, clubs and clean-ups that make it all possible.