EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD

-Nelson Mandela-

We would like to introduce Cunina, a Belgian organisation helping underprivileged children in the global south. Cunina strongly believes education is the key to a better future for these kids. 

Thanks to the monthly financial support of godparents, Cunina is able to send more than 15.000 children to school, in Brazil, the Philippines, Haiti, Nepal, Uganda, South-Africa and Peru. Sophie Vangheel is the driving force behind Cunina. She founded the organisation in 1990 and is still at the helm of it today. In 2017 Cunina came in touch with Solid and after visiting the projects in Peru, they were convinced to add Peru to their list of partner countries. What started as a small pilot with only five children of the knitters at Manta, has become a great cooperation today, with over 65 children related to Solid, receiving monthly support. 

The majority of Peruvian children supported by Cunina, are children of the knitters at Manta. Thanks to this support, the knitters can send their children to a good school and cover additional expenses. This opportunity for the children to study, to learn to read and write is a chance not all of their parents had. 

Since 2020, Cunina supports some teenage mothers, of the EMMA project, as well. Although teenage mothers are often expected, by their families, to stay at home and take care of their child, many still dream of pursuing their education. With the support of Cunina that dream comes true! Solid recognizes the fighting spirit in these young girls, how they want to keep on growing and dedicate themselves to a better future, despite their young pregnancy and setbacks. 

Thanks to Cunina and its many Belgian godfathers and godmothers, more than 70 Peruvian children are certain that they can go to school! This support is even more important than ever, with the pandemic affecting mostly those already living in poverty. For these teenage mothers and children of knitters, this is empowering, it enables them to make their own choices and seek their own way out of poverty. 

More information on:  https://cunina.org/partnerlanden/peru