Our Mission
The Light and Leadership Initiative’s mission is to respond to the needs of the women in the Ate-Vitarte district of Lima, Peru, in their struggle out of poverty by improving the availability and quality of education offered to women and children. Through workshops and classes, women are empowered to better care for themselves and their families by improving both their physical and emotional well-being and advancing their skills in the workforce. Children are offered similar opportunities and learn the value of education and respect for one’s community. We believe the women and children of the Ate-Vitarte district will become positive leaders for change through love, support, and education.
Our Story
2007
Lara DeVries, our Founder, visited Huaycán for the first time and started conversations with community members, who expressed the need for more high quality and accessible educational opportunities.
2008
The Light and Leadership Inititaive established itself as a 501(c)3 U.S. non-profit registered for educational purposes.
2009
LLI’s first educational after-school program to kids in Huaycán.
2014
LLI starts offering educational programs for kids, teens, and women in Huaycán.
2020
LLI launched its first online educational programs for kids and women.
Today
Many years later, and with many challenges and triumphs, LLI is still going strong. We’ve now offered over 16,000 classes to women, children, and teens. And we always look forward to the nex 16,000!
Our Impact
Free educational workshops to women in Huaycán
New volunteers welcomed
Women obtained their certificate on finances and computation with LLI in the last years
People received academic support
Leadership workshops for teens in the community
Free classes
Annual Reports
Our Team
María Llanos Martell
Executive Director
Aranza Ballesteros Maza
Kids Program Coordinator
Jacqueline Chui Altamirano
Mujeres Emprendedoras Project Coordinator – Women’s Program
Enriqueta Taipe Meza
Caretaker & Housekeeping
Yeni Delgado Sanchez
Programs Support
Milagros Lecaros Bustamante
Administrator
Our Interns
Carmen Serrano Amaut
Mujeres Emprendedoras Project Assistant
Rosario Atau Marquez
Marketing Communications Assistant
Our Board of Directors
Javier Janik
President and Treasurer
Julie Rios
Director
Sarah Renkert
Director