Mantay Shelter in Cusco, Peru: Making a World of a Difference

Mantay Shelter In Cusco, Peru: Making A World Of A Difference

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In Peru, one in four mothers is under the age of 18. These are alarming numbers, especially when the majority of these young mothers lack the resources, education and support to raise their children; many times these adolescents find themselves in a state of complete emotional and physical abandonment. Thankfully, there is help, there is hope – there is Mantay.

The Casa de Acogida Mantay was created in 2000, by the association, Qallariy ('to begin' in Quechua) Project for Support in Development. The shelter supplies the young single mothers with a safe environment where they are counseled, educated, and given training. Currently, the Mantay shelter is the only place in Cusco that gives these young mothers the opportunity to take on and develop their role as providers while at the same time enjoying their adolescence. Without Mantay, many of these mothers would have to endure the trauma of having to abandon their own children due to a lack of knowledge, skills and resources.

While at the shelter both the mothers and their children attend school. They are also provided with fundamental care to cover their sanitary, nutritional, legal, educational, emotional and psychological needs. In addition, mothers are offered the option of training in one of the local technical centers. Exquisite, high-end leather goods are made in one of the cooperative centers, which are sold in the tourist center of Cusco.

Even after the single mothers leave the shelter, Mantay continues their support by providing such services as free day-care, or offering the women employment opportunities at the shelter or one of its technical training shops.

In their latest newsletter, Mantay reminds us of the large number of young mothers and their children that depend on the shelter and its services. Like 18-year-old Isabel. Mantay provides day-care for her son Carlos so Isabel can earn a living and her independence. And 16-year-old Luz Marine who is pursuing an education in the culinary arts, and absolutely delights in her daughter Salome. And Milagros – when Milagros brought 9-month-old Josstin to Mantay he was suffering from low-birth-weight and liver problems. Now, we are happy to report, Josstin’s medical tests look promising and he smiles enthusiastically.

The shelter has done wonders for these mothers and their children, providing them with stability, affection and a self-confidence to carryout joyful productive lives.