HELPYouth
It started with one skate ramp and a lot of potential.
The skate park and REC, Cerrito de la Virgen·Since 2010
The need
A community rebuilt from nothing
WhereThe skate park and REC, Cerrito de la Virgen
In 1997–98, El Niño brought extreme rainfall that left millions of Peruvian families homeless. In La Libertad, some were moved to the arid hillside of Cerrito de la Virgen, with no electricity, no water and no promises. They had to start their lives again.
With parents focused on survival, children's needs and education were put aside. There was little to stimulate them and nowhere safe to play. Our volunteers saw huge potential, and knew that with some attention and activities these children could flourish.
Our approach
What we do
Skateboarding and sport
Our all-concrete skate park, football and games keep children active under constant adult supervision.
Arts and crafts
Creative sessions in the classroom beside the skate park, for children who'd rather make than skate.
Healthy lifestyles
Sessions that encourage healthy, active habits, planned by our HELP Youth Coordinator.
A safe space
Trained volunteers, first aid and a safeguarding policy mean parents know their children are looked after.
From ramp to programme
How the skate park grew
1997–98
A community is resettled
Families displaced by El Niño are moved to the bare hillside of Cerrito de la Virgen, out of sight of Huanchaco itself.
2010
The first skate ramp
On land donated by a local surf school, our volunteers build a skate ramp so children have somewhere fun and stimulating to play.
2011
HELP launches
The ramp becomes part of the new Huanchaco Education and Learning Programme, alongside classes and activities.
2015
A real skate park
After a huge fundraising effort by volunteers and supporters in Peru and abroad, we move two blocks and build an all-concrete skate park with a classroom for non-skate activities.
Today
A full youth programme
Skateboarding, football, arts and crafts and healthy lifestyles, open every weekday afternoon and through the summer holidays.
In pictures
HELP Youth in action
The skate park in Cerrito de la Virgen 
Not everything happens on wheels 
HELP Youth at a glance
- The all-concrete skate park and classroom open
- 2015
- Open every weekday afternoon, 3pm to 6pm
- Mon–Fri
- Longer opening through the summer holidays
- Dec–Mar
Volunteer on this project
Join the HELP Youth team
Plan sports, games and crafts as HELP Youth Coordinator, help run the whole centre as REC Coordinator, or supervise skateboarding and games as a multi-project volunteer.
- HELP Youth Coordinator
- Recreational and Educational Centre Coordinator
- Multi-Project Volunteer
Fund this project
£12a month
Snacks for a week
Funds a snack and fruit juice for a week for every child in our HELP classes.
Active children get hungry. A monthly gift pays for snacks and juice for every child in our HELP classes.
Keep exploring
Explore our other projects
HELP projectHELP English
Play-based English classes for children in Cerrito de la Virgen, plus daily lessons in local schools that can't provide English teachers.
HELP projectHELP Environment
Environmental education, the monthly Yo Cuido Mi Playa beach clean, and community and hydroponic gardens at our Rec Centre.
HELP projectHELP Literacy
LitClubs that help children aged 10–15 fall in love with reading, writing and storytelling, and Spanish literacy for younger children.
HELP projectHELP Swim
Swimming and water-safety lessons that save lives, paired with water stewardship classes. Supported by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
Partner projectGlobal Glow
GLOW Clubs run by local mentors give almost 150 girls across four communities a safe space to build agency, voice and power.
Partner projectColegio Pitágoras
Our volunteers support the English programme at one of Huanchaco's biggest primary and secondary schools.
Being restructuredHELP Women
A 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.