At-risk youth, Peru
Casa Moqoy provides accomodation, meals, tutoring and counselling services to tertiary students in Cusco, Peru. These students come from remote areas and would not be able to access tertiary education without Casa Mosqoy.
Clayda Paucar Vilca joined the Mosqoy program at 16 after being selected as one of 10 students from a group of 30 applicants. Supported through three years of higher education, she completed a degree in International Business Management while working part-time to cover additional expenses. After graduating in 2016, she fulfilled her internship requirement with the regional government in the health department. Clayda credits Mosqoy not only for expanding her professional opportunities, but for strengthening her pride in her Indigenous heritage and native language, Quechua, helping her grow in confidence and self-belief.
Now 26, Clayda works as a tutor with another NGO supporting young people from vulnerable families, mentoring students in much the same way she was once supported. She says her education has improved her quality of life and inspired her younger siblings to pursue further study. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue working in the nonprofit sector while eventually starting her own import business. Reflecting on her experience, Clayda suggests that expanded psychological support for young women from challenging backgrounds could further strengthen programs like Mosqoy, helping participants build the emotional resilience needed to fully embrace opportunity.
