#Volunteerstories: Aaron H. Foss

“I wanted to gain more experience in the areas of international human rights development, and I also wanted to learn Spanish before returning to the U.S. to study for a master’s degree. A friend of a friend introduced me to CHS Alternativo and after communicating with them, we agreed to work in the organization as a volunteer for a period of approximately ten months.

I arrived in Lima in October 2010, worked in the main office, getting to know the work of CHS Alternativo and helping in a variety of projects. I reviewed the records stored in the RETA-PNP database to verify that CHS Alternativo had a complete set of supporting documents. I also helped with the preparation of a U.S. government grant proposal to support anti-trafficking efforts in Peru.

In January I moved to Iquitos to help with the Prepare for Life program, which helps girls and boys quit child labor and go back to school, fixed the database with beneficiary information, contributed to tutoring and workshops for them, and also helped with awareness workshops on human trafficking in the various community groups.

I gained an understanding of the work that CHS Alternativo does and the potential of a small group of people committed to making a significant change in the lives of individuals and society.