PREVENTION
Community outreach
Light in the middle of darkness. Here darkness does not have the last word.
It is a Community Outreach Program for girls, between 6 and 18 years old. Who are at high and medium risk of being victims of sexual violence. Girls and adolescents living in vulnerable regions, communities with high rates of violence, poor access to basic services and education, and high levels of illicit substance abuse.
Following Amparo’s logic and philosophy of success. We aim to serve an eternal need and multiple temporal needs. To achieve these, we have designed a set of strategies, projects, plans and activities. All aimed to provide tools and strengthen the capacities of the girls who join the program. While we present the gospel in a comprehensive way. Or better said, in Jesus words: ‘teaching them to follow all that I commanded you’ – Matthew 28:20
As Amparo it gives us great joy to be able to get to know families and children. So to engage girls at risk we build relationships and trust. Then we can begin to know their needs, fears and desires. We can also evaluate their risk level for entering the sex trade or being exploited in some way.
Each component of the program is designed from different perspectives and disciplines to have an integral approach to the reality of girls and adolescents, so that they can respond positively in a negative environment. The program promotes comprehensive development (mental, emotional, spiritual and physical) and seeks to foster resilience in girls and adolescents, all so that they know God as Father and their own intrinsic value as a reflection of the God who created them.
The main activities of this program are:
- Family visits
- School tutoring
- Soft and hard skills workshops
- Counselling
In all: we share the gospel and work through biblical based curriculum. We also monitor academic progress by checking report cards to ensure they are attending school. Ensuring the girl has the best chance for success includes working with the schools and teachers if needed to.
Depending on the need Amparo financially covers the child’s school supplies, fees, tuition, and transportation, wellness checkups and necessary medical attention.
We believe the best way to protect girls at risk is the mix of prevention and restoration.
Bolivian culture values relationship very highly. As Amparo it gives us great joy to be able to get to know families and children. So to engage girls at risk we build relationships and trust. Then we can begin to know their needs, fears and desires. We can also evaluate their risk level for entering the sex trade or being exploited in some way.
For this program, we make home visits to build relationships with families. We also give school tutoring once per week and teach a variety of workshops to equip the girls with soft skills. Our visits and tutoring can include : Homework support, crafts, reading, etc. We share the gospel and work through biblical based curriculum. We also monitor academic progress by checking report cards to ensure they are attending school as well as work with the schools and teachers if needed to ensure the child has the best chance for success.
Each month we give classes of different subjects as sewing, painting, cooking, etc.
Amparo financially covers all the child’s school supplies, fees, tuition, and transportation if needed. Helping Hands children receive wellness checkups covered by Amparo. All necessary medical attention is covered by Amparo.
Holidays are important to children but often when living in extreme poverty they may not even know their own birthday. Helping Hands children receive a gift and recognition for their birthday and Christmas. We also have an incentive program for children in Helping Hands. If a child maintains a C average in all their classes, Amparo will take them to a movie to acknowledge their achievement.