Empowering Quechuas'

For generations, Quechua culture has been notorious for domestic abuse, and specifically, the oppression of women and girls. Even within church culture, spousal abuse is not directly addressed, and silently accepted. Girls grow up being beaten by their fathers, and watching their mothers, aunts, and older sisters suffer at the hands of their husbands. When it’s time for them to marry, they not only accept, but even expect the same treatment for themselves.

 

Just two generations ago, the majority of Quechua girls were not allowed to go to school during childhood. Even though the number of girls in schools is slowly increasing, many of these female students cannot finish their education due to lack of funding, teen pregnancy or because they are needed more at home. Teaching Biblical perspectives on sex and marriage, explaining the intrinsic value women hold as image-bearers of our Creator, and providing good role models who pursue a variety of life paths could be the “extra boost” these communities need to keep young people, especially girls, in school longer.

 

Lydia Project’s long-term goals are to:

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1. Help young girls see their intrinsic worth, build self-esteem, and open their eyes to the world of possibilities their lives can hold as they follow Jesus.

2. Affirm the desire for motherhood, while teaching that there is an appropriate time, motivation, and priority-level for this huge life event.

3. Mold healthier expectations for future marriage relationships.

4. Show girls other alternatives to provide for their own needs, encouraging them to stay in school, so that they realize marrying young, and becoming fearfully submissive to a husband who devalues them, is not their only option.

5. Open doors to and create interest in pursuing a higher education.