Longing and Belonging

is a documentary series based on Casa Mantay, an asylum home in Cusco, Peru, that supports underaged mothers and their children.

UNICEF reports that Peru has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Latin America, with nearly one in five girls becoming mothers before the age of 18; globally, that number is estimated to reach 16 million a year worldwide. 

Founded in 2000, the home has housed hundreds of mothers aged 11 to 18 placed there by the state due to financial hardship and sexual abuse. The home offers comprehensive services that include shelter, healthcare, therapy, parenting education, and secondary schooling. Casa Mantay is set apart by integrating vocational training in artisan crafts such as floral design, ceramics, leatherwork, and jewelry—skills taught by local artisans. They are offered the opportunity to work at Mantay, where the handcrafted products they make are sold at stores in Cusco, Peru, providing them with a sustainable source of income that instills a sense of pride and accomplishment. The revenue from these sales helps subsidize the home, making it the only facility of its kind in Peru. As the mothers reach the age of 18, they transition out of the home, either to nearby rooms or if deemed safe by social services, back with their families. 

Casa Mantay represents a powerful model for breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty, poor education, and unemployment that often accompanies early pregnancies. The importance of addressing this topic extends beyond the borders of Peru. As someone who grew up in Mexico, a country grappling with similar political and economic challenges, I deeply resonate with the struggles faced by young girls in Latin America. By shedding light on the remarkable work of Casa Mantay, I aim to raise awareness and inspire the creation of programs such as Mantay in my home country of Mexico and abroad.