October 23, 2015
Mujeres Poderosas: Fostering an Empowering and Sustainable Community for Strong Women Workers.
Women are continuously exploited in the domestic service workforce in Lima, Peru. Women in the workforce suffer from inadequate pay, no vacation time, and being undermined for their lack of education. As a volunteer outreach intern at La Casa de Panchita, a NGO that promotes and defends the rights for women domestic workers who are often discriminated against based on age, gender, color, language or culture, we also aim to protect and prevent the employment of children 14 years or younger who go to the cities in search of domestic work. My presentation will elaborate on the various workshops these women had on how to handle conflicts in the workplace, what laws and rights protected and defended them, and the courses taught which ranged from cooking classes to English classes. This past summer I gave myself, my love and my support to a community that educated me on Peruvian culture and work ethics. Giving back to the community is using what you have learned and how you have grown as a person to lend a helping hand when needed. It is not always easy to travel to a foreign country, but with an open heart and an open mind, you will learn more about yourself through the people you meet, the community you engage in and the work you do.
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