Empowering Women in Rural Arequipa, Peru

When Ilda first joined HOOP three years ago, she didn’t know who her neighbors were and found it difficult to make eye contact, even with other women. She has always been one of the most proactive community members, taking advantage of all the activities and workshops, but she remained reserved even after a lot of time with the organization, especially when it came to talking about herself.

Ilda’s confidence has grown very gradually and she now speaks with a quiet, firm tone. She feels comfortable approaching HOOP’s psychologist or social worker for support and counseling sessions, which encourages the other moms to follow her example and has helped the mom’s community grow closer. Having a close-knit group of mothers has also helped Ilda through the challenging patches: “Now I have friends to talk to about my problems.”

Ilda’s oldest child has special needs and has also benefited from HOOP’s psychology workshops. Learning to approach mental health as something requiring conscious maintenance and care has helped both mother and children improve in their relative social and speaking skills.

Over time, Ilda’s shyness has given way to a more friendly and outgoing personality. Her love for community events where she can contribute her time and energy for the benefit of her friends now shines through in her passion for gardening, dancing, and cooking: “I really liked [...] when all the moms cooked traditional Peruvian dishes [to share with the volunteers].”

Ilda’s strength and big heart inspire everyone at HOOP to share in a mutual feeling of gratitude and support for one another, particularly during HOOP events where the atmosphere and positive energy makes it an experience worth remembering.