Help build a new School and Chapel for High Quality Education for Kids in Peru

PERU

In Peru’s District of La Perla – Callao, I.E.P. Santa María school (a parish educational center) has provided children with a Catholic education for 9 years. Santa María currently serves 340 poor children and families from the neighborhood, addressing social exclusion.

Through your generosity you will accelerate the construction of the new Santa María school building and connected chapel.

The current school lacks essential spaces like a school office and laboratories, hindering student capacity, and not meeting Ministry of Education standards.

With the right school building and chapel, the educators of Santa María school will be equipped to continue the necessary work of providing a high quality education centered on prayer, sacraments, and moral teachings. Students participate in daily and weekly prayer sessions, catechesis, and Saturday Mass. Priests also teach secular subjects to foster Christian culture and personal support.

The region of La Perla, Callao faces poverty, fragile families, and a high number of abandoned or abused children. Many adolescents lack schooling and are vulnerable to criminal gangs involved in drug trade, robbery, and extortion.

Education is essential in breaking this cycle of poverty.

Phase 1:

– Complete and prepare the existing classrooms. The second floor classrooms are currently lacking doors, windows, and lighting.– Initiate the electrical system.– Ensure staircase safety with a railing and lighting.– Finalize the cement structure of the third floor and terrace to protect the steel from salt damage due to ocean exposure.

PROJECT UPDATES

Construction is Under Way

March 2025

I.E.P. Santa María School Learning in His Light Many children in La Perla, Callao, Perú, struggle to find God amid the chaos and violence that surround them. When their eyes are opened through the care and instruction of their teachers at the I.E.P. Santa María School, they see His face. As we learn in 1 Kings, “The Lord intends to dwell in the dark cloud” so that He may bring light (8:12). With your support, this school will continue to illuminate a path out of poverty for its students. With your help, construction is under way to improve the school building.