Empower Vulnerable Children in Peru and Cambodia

Project Report: Child Protection Program

Globalteer, a UK registered charity, is running a vital Child Protection Programme aimed at protecting vulnerable children in Peru and Cambodia, from abduction, trafficking, and sexual abuse. This program equips local teachers with the knowledge and resources to educate children on personal safety and self-protection. By empowering children to recognize and respond to dangerous situations, the programme seeks to reduce the risks they face and positively impact the broader community.

The Challenge
In both Peru and Cambodia, children are highly susceptible to abduction, trafficking, and abuse, with parental work demands and a lack of educational resources exacerbating these risks. According to UNICEF, over 35% of adolescents in Peru have suffered from sexual violence, while in Cambodia, children are victims in more than 41% of sex-trafficking cases. Unfortunately, preventative self-safety education is lacking in both Cusco and Siem Reap, contributing to an ongoing cycle of vulnerability and exploitation.

The Solution
The Child Protection Program directly addresses this critical gap by empowering children and teaching them essential self-protection skills. Developed in collaboration with children and parents, the program covers key topics such as:

Emotional expression and confidence-building
Reporting crimes and accessing resources
Stranger danger awareness
Safe and unsafe touch identification
Personal safety strategies

By learning these essential life skills, children can better identify dangerous situations and develop the self-assurance needed to respond appropriately. This education is delivered by local teachers, fostering a sense of trust and making them role models in the community for child empowerment.

Long-Term Impact
This program has the potential to profoundly change the lives of children in Cusco & Siem Reap. By preparing children to navigate the dangers of the outside world, they will be safer and better equipped to lead happier, healthier lives. Employing local teachers not only ensures sustainability but also strengthens community involvement and ownership of child protection initiatives. Globalteer believes this is just the beginning of creating lasting positive change for the next generation, and we are committed to ensuring children receive the thorough, life-saving education they deserve.

Recent Updates
Our teams in Peru and Cambodia have been working diligently to tailor the sessions to the specific needs of the children, ensuring that the content remains both relevant and engaging. These sessions are regularly updated based on feedback from the children and their families, as well as insights from the teachers who deliver the lessons. By continuously adapting the material, we ensure that it reflects the current realities and challenges the children face in their daily lives. In collaboration with local educators and our dedicated interns, we are also developing interactive activities and practical exercises that allow the children to actively participate and apply what they learn in real-life scenarios. As we plan the upcoming sessions, a strong emphasis is placed not only on educating children about how to protect themselves but also on reinforcing these lessons with the local teachers, empowering them to act as trusted figures in the community. These efforts help to solidify a network of informed, vigilant adults and confident, safety-aware children who are better equipped to recognize and handle dangerous situations. This continuous cycle of education, collaboration, and adaptation is key to ensuring that the program remains impactful and sustainable for the long term.

Hopefully, this report underscores the importance of your continued support in this crucial initiative. Together, we are creating safer futures for children and empowering communities to take an active role in their protection.