Mary Mackillop Huasi Centre

San Juan de Lurigancho, is the most populated district in Lima, Peru. It is bordered by Carabayllo district and Huarochiri province. The population is a melting pot with people from all over the country in search of security against terrorism, poverty, and a lack of opportunities.

Key statistics

San Juan de Lurigancho, is the most populated district in Lima, Peru. It is bordered by Carabayllo district and Huarochiri province. The population is a melting pot with people from all over the country in search of security against terrorism, poverty, and a lack of opportunities. A thriving district with an ever-increasing informal economy, San Juan de Lurigancho residents have responded to the lack of opportunities by creating their own work and service initiatives.

percent of the population in Peru have a disability
10.4
people will be supported by this project
551

“Our mission is to offer professional services to people with and without disabilities, in the following areas of care: physical, speech, occupational therapy, psychology, and pedagogy, with a multidisciplinary team of professionals, competent and committed to the comprehensive development of children, young people, and their families, enhancing their skills, autonomy, and inclusion in society.”

María del Carmen Basauri, Project Director

The Mary Mackillop Huasi Centre, in the San Juan de Lurigancho district, was established in 2014 by Sister Clare Conaglen, an Australian Sister of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart (Josephite Sister). Sister Clare sought to respond to the call for help to support those with disabilities in the area. The Centre seeks to provide therapeutic and learning services to children and young people with disabilities in the area. Staff provide support to families creating space for joy in everyday challenges, and strengthening the skills needed to care for those with disabilities.

This project aims to create lasting change by expanding its services in therapeutic care, offering additional training for parents and/or caregivers of those with disabilities, and improving resources available to families.

The sisters have received previous support from multiple stakeholders, in establishing the centre which currently serves 90 young people with disabilities in the area. Catholic Mission seeks to build upon this foundation, supporting the Josephite Sisters as they shift towards a sustainability focus; improving longterm health outcomes of the community, building caregiver capacity, increasing early identification of special needs, increasing community inclusivity, and improving staff retention, all enabling the centre to build upon its current care for the community.

Catholic Mission is committed to supporting the Josephite Sisters by actively monitoring the delivery of their activities, management of their finances, and reporting on their performance.

This project will be directed by María del Carmen Basauri in partnership with Mary MacKillop Today.

The Mary Mackillop Huasi Centre welcomes all those in need. The services provided by the centre are advertised through word of mouth, flyers, a web page, ads, and other means.

Those directly participating in this project are the children and youth who attend the centre as well as their parents and carers. The project will also indirectly involve the wider community including extended family, neighbours, classmates, and those who interact with children and youth who attend the centre enriching their relationships and raising their awareness.

The Sisters have planned a range of activities to ensure project engagement. Children and youth who attend the centre will be registered and behavioural changes will be observed to determine project successes. Parents and carers will be asked to provide feedback through surveys and participate in focus groups.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. Catholic Mission is committed to achieving the SDGs. In working with our partners to develop projects, we consider the SDGs and how each activity might contribute strategically to this shared global vision.

The centre aims to achieve the following:

  1. Improve health outcomes for children and young people with disabilities. Raising greater awareness within the community about the needs of people with disabilities.
  2. Increase parent and caregiver knowledge of disability and promote early childhood health and assist them in accessing treatment and therapy for their children.
  3. Early identification, referral and treatment of special needs or behavioural issues among children and young people supporting improved learning outcomes.
  4. Promoting inclusion for people with disabilities in mainstream health, educational, and social structures.
  5. Improve staff retention and satisfaction among Mary MacKillop Huasi Centre personnel.
  6. Transforming the Mary MacKillop Huasi Centre into a hub for the community, delivering a range of services and broader community engagement.