Italian Youths Volunteer in Lima’s Poorest Areas

More than 190 Italian youths between 14 and 17 years old traveled to Lima, Peru, from June 27 to July 9 to participate in volunteer work in impoverished communities. The group, organized by the NGO Wecare, spent the first week building sports courts in Pamplona Alta in partnership with Bridges Today.

The second week saw the volunteers constructing 24 prefabricated homes in Lurín, south of Lima, with support from Asociación Andar. Many of the young people hailed from Milan and Rome.

Wecare formed in 2023 through the merger of two Italian organizations and has been sending volunteer groups to Peru for 20 years. Organizers noted the positive impact on the volunteers, who gained a new perspective on hardship and privilege while contributing to local projects. Wecare also plans trips to Argentina, Brazil, and Rwanda this year.