Christian Aramayo, a mining executive who gives back to the most vulnerable communities in Peru.

Ilona: What inspired you to start Obra Social?

Christian: My Sister, my father, my mother and I, feel very grateful with Casa San Martin de Porres (Saint Martin’s House) for the opportunity to assist them and contribute to society. Saint Martin’s house take care of homelessness among elderly individuals in Lima, Peru and vulnerable children in Lima highlands. These individuals face significant challenges in accessing basic necessities such as food and shelter, and are frequently overlooked by society living in the streets in terrible conditions.

Being able to help others and make a positive impact on the world is a rewarding experience, and we feel fortunate to have the chance to do so through this Saint Martin house.

My family and I are deeply inspired by the life and work of Saint Martin of Porres, who dedicated his life to serving the poor communities in Peru. His commitment to providing care and compassion for the less fortunate is something that deeply resonates with us.

We are committed to upholding the values of Saint Martin of Porres in our work, and believe that by serving the most vulnerable members of our community, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who are most in need. Through our ongoing efforts, we hope to inspire others to join us in this important mission, and to help create a more just andcompassionateworldforall.

"It is our mission to provide lunch and dinner meals to homeless elderly individuals in Lima, Peru. We believe that this is an essential service that not only helps to address hunger and malnutrition among this vulnerable population, but also provides a sense of community and connection that is vital for their well-being." Christian Aramayo

Ilona: What programs Obra Social offers?

The mission of Saint Martin’s House is to provide care and support to vulnerable individuals in order to enhance their well-being and restore their dignity. We recognize that many people in society face significant challenges and hardships, including poverty, illness, homelessness, and social isolation. Through our various programs and services, we strives to alleviate these difficulties and provide a sense of hope and security to those in need. We are committed to treating every individual with respect and compassion, and to ensuring that they are given the support and resources they need to live with dignity and purpose. Some of the programs that Saint Martin’s house offer are: Breakfast and Lunch for homeless elderly in Lima, Breakfast and lunch to vulnerable kids in Lima Highlands, Education support and guidance to vulnerable children in Lima Highlands, Social services to homeless elderly, Clothes to vulnerable elderly, Dental and medical assistance to elderly and kids, Social services to familiesinneed.

Ilona: What are you most proud of when you think about your charity?

Christian: We are incredibly proud to be able to provide hope and support to elderly individuals in our community and vulnerable children. As a charity organization, we have been working tirelessly for many years to address the needs of the elderly population, particularly those who are living in poverty in the streets or facing other forms of disadvantage. One of our core areas of focus has been providing food assistance to those in need. Despite not receiving any government support, we have continued to expand our services each year, ensuring that we are able to reach more individualsandprovidethemwithbetterqualityfoodandresources.

In addition to food assistance, we have also been working to improve the overall quality of life for the elderly population. This includes providing basic services such as healthcare and transportation, as well as creating opportunities for socialconnectionandengagement.

Seeing the positive impact that our work has on the lives of elderly individuals is truly rewarding, and it inspires us to continue pushing forward and finding new ways to serve our community. We are incredibly proud of the progress we have made so far, and we remain committed to our mission of improving the lives of the elderly and giving themhopeforabetterfuture.

Since 2015 we organize a charity gala every year as a way to raise funds and create awareness about our mission in society and among companies. Thisgalahasbecomean important tradition for us, and we are proud to say that it gets better every year. Through the gala, we are able to connect with individuals and organizations who are passionate about our cause and are willing to support us in our efforts to make a difference. The funds raised from the gala go directly towards supporting our programs and services, and every year, we are able to reach more individuals and have a greater impact thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We are excited to continue this tradition and are grateful for the ongoing support of our community.

Ilona: What are the biggest challenges you are facing right now ?

Christian: Running a charity in a country like Peru is very challenging, especially when we don't have government support or a steady stream of funding. Without reliable financial support, we are constantly faced with the risk of not being able to provide the essential services that vulnerable individuals in our community depend on.

This is especially true for our food assistance program, where people trust us to provide them with daily meals. As a result, one of our main challenges is to ensure that we have enough support every month to avoid disappointing the people who trust us to provide them with basic needs. This means that we need to work hard to raise awareness about our mission and the impact that we are making in the community, and to connect with individuals and organizations who are willing to support our cause. While these challenges can be daunting, we remain committed to our mission and are grateful for the ongoing support of our community.

Ilona: How can we support you and get involved in Obra Social?

Christian; There are many ways that you can support our charity and get involved in our mission to provide food and support to the vulnerable community that we serve.

One of the simplest ways is to help us create awareness by sharing our message with friends, community, and colleagues. This can be done by talking about our organization, sharing our social work, sharing our events and inviting others to become aware of the needs of elderly and vulnerable child.

Finally, donations are always appreciated and go directly towards supporting our programs and services. Even a small donation can make a big difference in the lives of the people we serve. We welcome one-time and recurring donations.

For more information visit: www.obrasocialcsmp.org