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Features / Archive
18 November, 2009 11:55:43 | in society
Working Against Indifference: Un Techo Para Mi PaÃs
By Katrina Heimark
Photos by Carsten Korch
Photos by Carsten Korch
A graduate of law from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Mauricio Aguinaga first became involved with Un Techo para Mi País when he was studying. He was impressed by the organization, but more so by its missioa, to help the poorest of the poor. “I would go about my day, not even paying attention to people selling candy in the streets, and it was Un Techo that opened up my eyes to the striking contrast between poverty and privilege that characterizes Peru,” he states.Un Techo para Mi País is an organization that, for the sum of S/. 3,300, builds emergency housing in the poorest areas around Lima. To read more about the organization, in an exclusive interview with Un Techo’s Social Director Álvaro Calado, click here.
After first volunteering with the organization, Mauricio began to get more and more involved with Un Techo. While studying at La Católica, he worked as the legal director of the organization in Peru for two years. In 2008, he left his work with a mining company in order to move to Paraguay to help the country start its own chapter of Un Techo para Mi País. In September of 2009, after successfully establishing the organization, he returned to Peru and shortly there after, he was nominated to be the General Manager of the organization here.
While Mauricio’s counterpart Álvaro focuses on volunteer recruitment and coordination, Mauricio is responsible for the organization’s financing, as well as branding. As General Manager, he has a lot on his plate, but it is something he tackles with pride, enthusiasm and with a heart so big, it could encompass all of Peru.
“We have to work with a sector that is not accustomed to helping the least fortunate; that is my job,” he states when asked about the details of his new position. “I don’t believe that people don’t want to help, it is just that they don’t see the reality of poverty in this country because we are used to it from the time we are small. We have to work against indifference, and we do so by building and acting.”
Mauricio is hoping to recruit more businesses that would be interested in sponsoring the organization, as well as increase fundraising campaigns, as well as awareness of the NGO. He wants to inspire different companies to take the opportunity to build houses together with their employees, which will not only change the attitude of the workers and the companies, but also, he hopes, change the attitude of indifference of the rest of the country.
Mauricio expects to open, in the next year, at least two offices for Un Techo in different provinces. Currently the organization only operates in the human settlements of the capital, something that he feels limits the development of Un Techo within Peru. They are also going to work on developing a program of microfinance, which will not “solve all of a family’s problems, but it will be a significant change that will truly help them get out of their situation of extreme poverty. We see poverty as a situation and not a condition. A condition is something that is inherent and that can’t be separated. However, since poverty is a situation, people can obtain the resources that will allow them to have a life with better opportunities.”
Mauricio explains that Un Techo within Peru is still in its initial process, but he hopes to push the organization along in this process of development. The organization currently builds emergency housing, which is phase one, and is also offering other services for those in need, such as microfinance, educational and health plans, and legal help, to name a few. These services make up the second stage of Un Techo, which are social integration programs. Un Techo in Peru works with 17 human settlements, bringing them not only housing but also these social programs.
Step three is the creation of permanent housing, which will be supported by sustainable communities. Mauricio states that this has occurred in Chile, where the organization was first developed, as well as in Uruguay. And he would love for this stage to be feasible in Peru.
“Un Techo para Mi Pais is a center, an axis for the generation of housing projects. And it fulfills the dreams not of just one person, but of everyone in the community. We don’t give land or all the solutions to someone’s problems, but we work together with the families so they can have a fair place to live, which is no small thing,” Mauricio states.
Listening to Mauricio, with his big smile and determined attitude to help those “forgotten” in Peru, could make anyone willing to help this organization out. This 5th of December, Un Techo is going to build a house out of straw mats (which are common in the pueblos jóvenes) and spend the night in Parque Kennedy to raise awareness of the plight of many in Peru. On the 10th and 11th of the month, they are going to spend an extensive campaign trying to raise money by asking people on the street to donate to their organization. From the 15th to the 20th of December, Un Techo will build 50 emergency houses in Ventanilla with university students.
And, on December 19th and 20th, Un Techo is inviting families to participate in building a house for those in Ventanilla who need it the most. Construction will not only result in a one of a kind gift for a family, it will also be a wonderful and unifying experience between two very different families. But, if you are interested, you need to sign up fast!! The deadline for participation is November 20th. For more information, click here, or contact Pia Lanfranco. If you are interested in contributing to this noble organization, please follow this link.
While Mauricio’s counterpart Álvaro focuses on volunteer recruitment and coordination, Mauricio is responsible for the organization’s financing, as well as branding. As General Manager, he has a lot on his plate, but it is something he tackles with pride, enthusiasm and with a heart so big, it could encompass all of Peru. “We have to work with a sector that is not accustomed to helping the least fortunate; that is my job,” he states when asked about the details of his new position. “I don’t believe that people don’t want to help, it is just that they don’t see the reality of poverty in this country because we are used to it from the time we are small. We have to work against indifference, and we do so by building and acting.”
Mauricio is hoping to recruit more businesses that would be interested in sponsoring the organization, as well as increase fundraising campaigns, as well as awareness of the NGO. He wants to inspire different companies to take the opportunity to build houses together with their employees, which will not only change the attitude of the workers and the companies, but also, he hopes, change the attitude of indifference of the rest of the country.
Mauricio expects to open, in the next year, at least two offices for Un Techo in different provinces. Currently the organization only operates in the human settlements of the capital, something that he feels limits the development of Un Techo within Peru. They are also going to work on developing a program of microfinance, which will not “solve all of a family’s problems, but it will be a significant change that will truly help them get out of their situation of extreme poverty. We see poverty as a situation and not a condition. A condition is something that is inherent and that can’t be separated. However, since poverty is a situation, people can obtain the resources that will allow them to have a life with better opportunities.”
Mauricio explains that Un Techo within Peru is still in its initial process, but he hopes to push the organization along in this process of development. The organization currently builds emergency housing, which is phase one, and is also offering other services for those in need, such as microfinance, educational and health plans, and legal help, to name a few. These services make up the second stage of Un Techo, which are social integration programs. Un Techo in Peru works with 17 human settlements, bringing them not only housing but also these social programs.
Step three is the creation of permanent housing, which will be supported by sustainable communities. Mauricio states that this has occurred in Chile, where the organization was first developed, as well as in Uruguay. And he would love for this stage to be feasible in Peru.
“Un Techo para Mi Pais is a center, an axis for the generation of housing projects. And it fulfills the dreams not of just one person, but of everyone in the community. We don’t give land or all the solutions to someone’s problems, but we work together with the families so they can have a fair place to live, which is no small thing,” Mauricio states.
Listening to Mauricio, with his big smile and determined attitude to help those “forgotten” in Peru, could make anyone willing to help this organization out. This 5th of December, Un Techo is going to build a house out of straw mats (which are common in the pueblos jóvenes) and spend the night in Parque Kennedy to raise awareness of the plight of many in Peru. On the 10th and 11th of the month, they are going to spend an extensive campaign trying to raise money by asking people on the street to donate to their organization. From the 15th to the 20th of December, Un Techo will build 50 emergency houses in Ventanilla with university students.
And, on December 19th and 20th, Un Techo is inviting families to participate in building a house for those in Ventanilla who need it the most. Construction will not only result in a one of a kind gift for a family, it will also be a wonderful and unifying experience between two very different families. But, if you are interested, you need to sign up fast!! The deadline for participation is November 20th. For more information, click here, or contact Pia Lanfranco. If you are interested in contributing to this noble organization, please follow this link.
tags : indifference Peru Ventanilla organization poverty
2 Comments
# cynthia bolton says :
18 November, 2009 [ 04:46 ]
19 November, 2009 [ 07:13 ]
# cynthia bolton says :
18 November, 2009 [ 04:46 ]
My family and possibly 2 other families would like to participate in volunteering for dec. 19th and 20th. Where do we sign up?# álvaro calado says :
19 November, 2009 [ 07:13 ]
hi cynthia, you can write to my email acalado@untechoparamipais.org for more information
thanks for your interest!
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