Building a Better Future

Over the years, Operación San Andrés has greatly improved life in the neighborhoods of Collique. We're committed to seeing this continue. We realize that, for communities in poverty, building a better future depends on economic development. We are responding to this need with classes, especially for women, that teach entrepreneurship and marketable skills such as baking and sewing. Earlier classes have evolved into successful microenterprises managed by local women. Operación San Andrés also sponsors construction projects that strive to meet some of Collique‘s needs for better housing and facilities.

Microenterprise

Many families served by Operación San Andrés in Collique depend on income secured on a day-to-day basis, instead of reliable, long term employment. One goal of Operación San Andrés is to facilitate the formation of microenterprises to provide sustainable family income.

As an example, Operación San Andrés helped approximately 20 women form a bakery business. The women learned to bake a variety of alfajores (a Peruvian cookie) and empanadas, which they sell to the community. The project has been life-transforming for the women. For most, it has been their first opportunity to practice business skills such as budgeting and bookkeeping. Together, the women have reinvested their profits, opened bank accounts, created business plans, and elected leadership. They have also developed important personal skills by meeting and learning cooperatively.

Collique Cuffs is another microenterprise facilitated by Operación San Andrés. Five women work together to make cuff-style bracelets from recycled leather belts. The bracelets are sold online to customers mainly in the U.S., and the artisans earn a fair wage for their labor. Excess profits support projects associated with our Women's Health and Safety initiative.

We are eager to help other residents of Collique form microenterprises so they can enjoy the security of a steady income.

Vocational Training

Women in Collique are creative and hard-working but generally lack vocational skills. Operación San Andrés has addressed this by providing job skills training programs for women.

We have partnered with the Peru's Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations to offer an online training program called DreamBuilder. The 12-module course teaches business skills in a simple, practical way to women who aspire to start or grow their own businesses. For 90% of the participants, the course was their first opportunity to work with laptop computers and use the internet. Some DreamBuilder topics include:

Developing a business plan
Setting goals
Understanding your competition
Pricing and marketing
Managing time and money
Bookkeeping

We've also sponsored classes in baking, jewelry making, and sewing which have led to jobs for women. Vocational training boosts women's self-esteem. It also creates opportunities for women to be financially independent of abusive spouses or partners.

In the future, we aim to create a vocational training center for high school graduates who are unable to afford further education.

When we saw the Christian brothers coming with their tools my heart was pounding. As the work progressed tears wanted to fall from my eyes, but I controlled myself because my neighbors might not understand. My children and I want to thank all the members of Operación San Andrés that God used to make my dream become a reality.

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Yovanna, mother of 4 children

My name is Emma, and I’ve always been very insecure and timid. I know that I have potential in the bakery enterprise. I learn, prepare, and sell with my peers. Together we have the experience of a community group savings program, and we hope to continue forward with our business. Thank you OSA.

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Emma, a leader in women’s bakery enterprise

I also appreciate the construction of our house by the OSA mission team. Now I feel safe and sheltered with all of my children. I can say that God has not forgotten my family, because He has put OSA in my life to have this help.

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Roxana, mother of two girls in our Educational Enrichment Program

In my house, I make dresses for girls, knit sweaters in small quantities. Sometimes I’ve been discouraged, because I didn’t know how to improve my skills. Now [in DreamBuilder] I am learning that not only is it important to make beautiful products, but also the way I sell them and to whom. I’m also learning how to make my business plan.

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Maria, a student in the DreamBuilder Program sponsored by Operación San Andrés

I have a small business selling clothes for adults and children in my house and I am learning that to improve the business you not only have to know how to keep the accounts but also know what to do when we have direct or indirect competition in the same work area.

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Angélica, a student in the DreamBuilder Program sponsored by Operación San Andrés

Construction

Most families in Collique live in makeshift houses made of low-cost or reclaimed materials. Many have straw or cardboard walls, with roofs formed by sheets of plastic or scrap materials scavenged from the surrounding area. These families, especially children, suffer from exposure to the elements, a lack of privacy, and unhealthy conditions aggravated by dirt floors and a lack of sanitation.

In 2007, Operación San Andrés began a dwelling improvement program. Mission trip volunteers build or renovate approximately four houses each year. The improved dwellings include concrete floors, reinforced walls, and weather-resistant roofs. Standardized construction processes now allow local volunteers to build houses throughout the year creating sustainability at the local level.

Our volunteers have also contributed to other construction and renovation projects, including

Phase 1 of Luz de Esperanza Church
Renovations of Jose Galvito Preschool
Painting projects
Upgrades to OSA House

Operación San Andrés is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.