CHS Alternativo is a non-governmental organization whose Mission is to support and promote the continuous growth of Peru’s human and social resources through pertinent social programs .
Amongst its strategies, CHS Alternativo foresees:
Positioning itself as a strategic alternative resource that can serve as a bridge between institutions that cannot spare time from their principal activities or business, but want to support the social and human development of the society in which they operate.
To become a complementary tool, an ally who guides the strategies of institutions in order to make them more powerful, effective and efficient.
To directly support the leaders and different local actors - public and private - leading them towards an integral organization that will enable them to attain sustainable solutions and development.
For more information:
http://www.chs-peru.com/WEB_CHSeng/chs_alternativo.htm

The first thing we talked about was the problem. The exploitation of minors is rampant in Peru, just as it is in many other areas of the world. In Cartagena, Colombia, for example, a beautiful city that thrives on tourism, the sexual exploitation of minors that goes on behind the scenes is truly alarming. Like I mentioned, the situation is very similar in Peru, though there is one glaring difference: whereas in other areas, like Colombia, this kind of sexual commerce is at least documented and problematized, which, sadly, does not necessarily mean it is any less widespread, Peru lacks the means of obtaining this kind of data, mostly because of how the situation is handled. Cases of sexual exploitation of minors are often documented as mere prostitution, even if minors are involved. That is the first problem, because it deviates attention from the greater issue: by treating it like prostitution, nothing is said about why these kids ended up where they are, who took them there, or the abuses they endure. Moreover, this kind of attitude towards such a prevalent problem promotes an impunity that only encourages the problem.
For these reasons, one of the approaches CHS uses to deal with the issue is working the the police to problematize the situation and encourage the prosecutions that will combat impunity. Similar methods are used to prevent the labor exploitation of minors as well.
However, the work cannot end here, for this kind of method deals with the symptoms, rather than with the root of the problem itself. I am not completely sure what I will be doing, but working with parents, teachers, and the children themselves to raise awareness and problematize the situation will be a large portion of it. As I understand, there will also be a center where we can do educational workshops that can double as tutorial sessions and some therapy work for children that have been sexually exploited.

The program is not huge, but their task is, especially in a place as forgotten by the authorities as the jungle. So my task will be to go to Iquitos an provide any kind of help that they need. The project is relatively new, and their resources are scarce, so I think any real help can make a big difference.

That is it for today. Pictures of my city tour tomorrow.

written by  poweroflove on May 13, 2008 from Lima, Peru
from the travel blog: PERU
Send a Compliment

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You are, as ever, amazing--thanks for keep the blog and thanks for fighting the good fight, Batman.

la lucha sigue,

eric

written by  Eric Selbin on May 14, 2008

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I want to be like you! Here I am sitting in Buenos Aires doing nothing good for the world...such is life...

Will you have internet access in Iquitos? And how often will you be in Lima?

written by  Spenser on May 14, 2008

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Very nice blog. It would be great to find ways to link everybodys effort with this cause.
Tip: You can chose a child (no real names required), explain the situation and the help required (usually money is required) and publish the information in Internet, looking for sponsors who will receive periodic updates on the progress of the situation of the chosen child.

written by  Carlos on May 14, 2008

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Hi all! I am officially in Iquitos.. still settling in. There is an internet cafe I can go to, but it is incredibly slow so I will be trying to find some better access..

written by  Diana on May 15, 2008

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