#Volunteerstories: Rike Kucharzik

During my internship I have had the supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the Clinical Psychologist Ana Surichaqui and the Community Social Psychologist Ana Ladera. From February 19 to April 2, 2014 I did my internship in the office of CHS-Alternativo in Lima. The last week I spent in Iquitos to gain experience in field work.

Al principio había leído mucho sobre el tema de trata de personas y la estructura de CHS Alternativo. Me había familiarizado con el material y con el trabajo en la oficina. También empecé a leer las fichas de casos actuales y analizar entrevistas de ESNNA con Atlas.

He tenido la posibilidad de acompañar en visitas familiares y domiciliares, a participar en capacitaciones y a hacer observaciones en entrevistas.

At first I had read a lot about human trafficking and the structure of CHS Alternativo. I had become familiar with the material and the work in the office. I also started to read the current case files and analyse ESNNA interviews with Atlas, I have had the possibility to accompany in family and home visits, to participate in trainings and to make observations in interviews. For me it was the first time working in an NGO. It was my first time working for an NGO, especially on the issue of human trafficking and labour and sexual exploitation.

Unfortunately, my internship only lasted six weeks. Since I don’t know the correct language, I had problems starting the work directly and needed more time to accomplish my tasks. Six weeks is enough to get an overview, but it is not enough to really start the work in the institution.

I am grateful to get a broad overview on the issue of human trafficking in Peru, on the work of CHS Alternativo and on the network of international institutions. The internship has encouraged me to get involved in other institutions working on the same topic.