January / February 2022

Iniykusiriy Waldorf Kindergarten in San Juan de Lurigancho, Lima, Peru

San Juan de Lurigancho is a district north of Lima with over one million inhabitants. Many families live in small simple houses, or in shacks. The crime rate is very high. And that was exactly the reason why, in 2005, two experienced Waldorf kindergarten teachers opened a Waldorf kindergarten there. They created a children's paradise on the edge of the sandy desert just beyond the city limits, a peaceful oasis amidst noise, violence and desolation.

Then Corona arrived and the kindergarten had to be closed by order of the authorities. The children still came and played outside for a while, but then an education emergency was declared, which is set to last until August 2022.

People are struggling to survive because there are no state benefits or financial support. Parents could no longer pay the kindergarten fees. And because of this, the monthly rent of 11,000 soles (about €2,400), could no longer be paid. Any support is welcome.

Nana Goebel