The children’s home Los Gorriones was founded on 5 March 2002 by Gil and Chantal van den Berg in the city of Ayacucho, located in one of the poorest regions of Peru.  The home is officially registered and recognized by the Peruvian government, and works in close cooperation with local juvenile judges, social workers and adoption agencies.

The mission of Los Gorriones is to improve children’s lives by:

The children’s home Los Gorriones was founded on 5 March 2002 by Gil and Chantal van den Berg in the city of Ayacucho, located in one of the poorest regions of Peru. The home is officially registered and recognized by the Peruvian government, and works in close cooperation with local juvenile judges, social workers and adoption agencies.

The mission of Los Gorriones is to improve children’s lives by:

Gil van den Bergh and his team believe it is essential to create a family environment based on mutual respect, responsibility, solidarity and self-confidence, taking into consideration each child’s personality. Love, attention and support are their first priorities as it is believed that this can change a child’s life.

Los Gorriones has neither admission criteria nor preferences. The placement of each child is decided upon by a juvenile court in agreement with the family or family members, if present. A social worker previously determines the gravity of the child’s family situation, in particular the neglect.

If the parents are still present, they often do not wish to give up their child for adoption. At the same time, they may be unable to care for them. In such cases, Los Gorriones takes responsibility for the child in agreement with the family who is encouraged and assisted to visit their child as often as they wish. In other cases, the juvenile judge states that the family has legally given up it’s right to be the child’s parents. The child who may then be adopted is placed on a national adoption list. In the saddest cases however, children, even very young ones, are simply abandoned in the street.

Once all parties agree that Los Gorriones will take in the child, the home’s team establishes an individual educational plan based on age as well as mental and physical balance, in order to structure and monitor the child’s development. Regular evaluations are planned to monitor the child’s progress. Specialised care is provided to disabled children with special needs in order to make their daily life as normal as possible.

If the child would be up for adoption, they are placed on a national adoption list. Demands must be addressed to Los Gorriones. The home considers these requests not only within the relevant legal framework but also in co-operation with recognized adoption agencies in order to guarantee the best possible transition for the child. After the adoption, the child’s situation continues to be monitored by regular follow-ups.. 

These demands are seriously considered by respecting the adoption laws and rules in effect.  In coordination with the adoption office, we make sure the process is made in the best interests of the child and that he will continue his normal psychological, academic and social growing process.  A following is made after the adoption and all necessary actions would be taken if unfavorable situations occur.

Most of the children who arrive at Los Gorriones are neglected, ill, traumatized, and suffer from serious malnutrition. These are sad results of extreme poverty.

Los Gorriones has its family doctor, a general practitioner, to ensure that each child receives the necessary medical care. Psychological support is available as well. The disabled have physiotherapy on a daily basis.

A regular, healthy diet is essential as most children suffer from malnutrition upon arrival at the children’s home. The cook prepares three healthy meals per day.

All able children go to school, thanks to private sponsors who support the education of a child of their choice. The children get a quality education in a private school of which the standard is the equivalent of a public school in Europe.

At the house, the team of Los Gorriones organises special activities for the handicapped children.