Scots finance company help at risk Peru children

Poor schooling and classroom violence in Peru to be tackled by one of Scotland’s biggest finance firms

A schoolgirl in Lima, Peru, where ChildHope is securing safe school environments for pupils thanks to a six-figure donation from Aberdeen Asset Management

Children in Peru who are at risk from poor education and classroom violence are to be helped by one of Scotland’s largest financial investment companies.

Aberdeen Asset Management (AAA) has chosen Peru as the next beneficiary of its Emerging Markets project, which supports social programmes in countries where the firm is profiting from economic development.

The firm’s charitable foundation has given a six-figure donation to ChildHope which will spend the money on creating safer environment in eight schools in and around Lima.

ChildHope said many children were subjected to violence in schools, where despite national policy, they are often punished by teachers using sticks, belts or ropes.

The project funded by AAA aims to support children within the schools that are most at risk of educational underachievement and support them with additional lessons.

AAA has given a three-year commitment to ChildHope’s work with the project to benefit an estimated 7,300 children who will pass through these schools during this time, as well as having and impact on 400 teachers and 4,500 parents.

Anne Richards, Chief Investment Officer of Aberdeen Asset Management and Chairman of the Foundation, said:

“Aberdeen has a significant presence in Latin America and so I am delighted that employees globally have chosen to support ChildHope.

“Education plays a crucial role in the development of society so the charity will have an impact not only on the children but the country as a whole.”

ChildHope UK’s Executive Director Jill Healey said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected as Aberdeen Asset Management’s next emerging markets charity partner. By working together we can fundamentally transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in Peru and give them a chance for a better future.’’

ChildHope becomes the fourth emerging markets charity partner to be supported by the Foundation, alongside ABC Trust, SeeBeyondBorders and AfriKids.