RPC/SERPAJ Partnership

Partnering with SERPAJ in Latin America

Servicio Paz y Justicia (SERPAJ) was founded in 1974 by Adolfo Perez Esquival who won the Nobel Peace prize in 1980. SERPAJ’s goal is to promote peace, active non-violence (NOVA) and to create a culture based on full recognition of human rights.

The Buenos Aires team, one of six throughout Latin America, runs the Aylluman Kutina program (“returning to the community” in Quechua). This program is focused on support to children, adolescents, and young adults and their families in the Constitucion neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Because many of the people are living on the streets, their rights are often violated.

Street Operator Program

The program team of 30 street operators, social workers, and educators maintain a connection with the street population, serving more than 300 people (~200 under 18, ~65 between 18-27 and ~40 over 27 years old. They are taught trades (e.g. hairdressing and barber skills) and they are taught alternative conflict resolution with full support of their rights.

The street operations team at the Constitucion Train station builds relationships by providing food assistance, direct discussion of rights, support through drawing and dynamic activities and support with school homework. This approach helps identify issues related to violations and vulnerability of children’s rights in healthcare, schooling, nutrition, rights of identity, etc. The goal is to build a relationship of trust and care.

[Last year, the RPC supported part of this program through donations. We observed the work of these dedicated social workers, helping the kids and providing supportive adult presence in the train station. The response and respect of the children was clear and heartwarming.]

The kids also participate in different workshops run by SERPAJ:

  1. Digical community radio workshop

  2. Video recording and production

  3. Hairdressing and barber skills

  4. Human rights promotion

  5. Film workshop

SERPAJ also provides an early childhood recreation and learning space at their headquarters.