In Peru, the Daughters of Charity arrived in the Awajun district in 1992. They run the ‘San Vicente de Paul’ school and its 400 pupils from nursery to high school. They have also set up vocational training workshops for local women. The sisters also carry out evangelisation work in 6 of the 18 villages in Awajun. They are the only religious congregation in the region.

Successful training workshops for female victims of domestic violence

Lack of training perpetuates poverty and inequality. These workshops are a means of empowering women in society and at home: they learn a trade that generates income and they are no longer solely dependent on their spouse.

" In 2023, thanks to the Rosalie ‘The promise of dawn’ project, we were able to work on reducing domestic violence against women, mothers and teenage girls, in Awajun. We offered them practical workshops in baking, sewing and cosmetology, as well as much-needed psychological support. " Sr Aurelia

In view of the benefits for the 45 women who have benefited from these workshops, the sisters want to continue the training workshops and go even further in reintegrating these courageous women.

An entrepreneurial workshop: innovative training for women 

The Daughters of Charity are launching this training course for women wishing to set up a micro-business. It will be led by a professional in business management.

The aim is to teach them the basics: cost management, marketing, sales, etc. Once trained in this way, these women will be ready to draw up and develop their business plans, and take up the challenge of entrepreneurship. 

At the same time, these ‘entrepreneurial’ mothers will be using a computer and a digital printing machine to design sports polo shirts with designs that appeal to the children and teenagers at the San Vicente de Paul school in Awajun. They will be made by the women in the sewing workshop.

The profits from sales will go back to the ‘entrepreneurial’ mothers, providing an economic income for their households and a major boost to their self-esteem...

This project will enable these 30 women, mothers and teenagers : 

- acquire skills in bakery production, dressmaking, hairdressing and beauty care
- learn about entrepreneurship 
- increase their resources to become independent and assert their role in the family and society
- regain confidence in their personal abilities 
- improve their self-esteem through lectures and psychological support
- gradually reduce the rate of domestic violence in the Awajun district in the medium and long term.

The Daughters of Charity are working on this project in partnership with volunteers from the International Association of Charity ‘San Vicente de Paul’, which offers marketing and digital communication workshops to promote the products they make. The municipality of Awajun is offering these women the opportunity to take part in fairs to sell their products directly. 

These courageous women want to take charge of their own lives again.
With them, thanks to you!