The event, held in Mi Perú, Callao, brought together families, schoolchildren, and representatives from various institutions under the slogan “Together Against Lead” to promote lead exposure prevention and protect children’s health.
Carrying banners and sharing prevention messages, children, parents, and representatives from various institutions took to the streets of the Mi Perú district in Callao for the 2026 Awareness Walk for International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.
The event was organized by the Regional Health Directorate of Callao (DIRESA Callao), through the Mi Perú Health Center, with support from Pure Earth Peru.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health (MINSA)’s Directorate for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable, Rare, and Orphan Diseases (DENOT), the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Regional Government of Callao, and the Municipality of Mi Perú also participated. The event brought together secondary school students from Arturo Padilla School and preschool students from School No. 141 Virgen de Guadalupe, accompanied by their teachers and families.
Families and the Community at the Heart of Prevention
One of the most meaningful moments of the event was seeing children, their families, and neighbors enthusiastically and joyfully share prevention messages. With smiles and cheers, they embraced the call to help build a safer and healthier environment for everyone.
For Gisela Aponte, a nurse at the Mi Perú Health Center, the awareness walk was a source of pride and an opportunity to further strengthen the community’s commitment.
“We want a lead-free community; that is our main message. I have worked in Mi Perú for 12 years, so I know the population very well. I have seen children grow up alongside us throughout this time. It truly fills me with pride that they were able to join us today,” she said.
Delia Vargas, Secretary General of the Virgen de Guadalupe Human Settlement, highlighted the importance of bringing information to families: “I think this activity is very important because it helps prevent lead exposure and inform parents about what it means to care for our children. When authorities, the people, and communities work together, problems can be addressed, and prevention and awareness efforts can move forward. Nothing is more valuable than information to help our children grow up healthy,” she said.
Effective Prevention Requires Joint Action
The awareness walk also highlighted the importance of bringing prevention efforts directly to communities and strengthening collaboration to protect children’s health.
Rodrigo Velarde, Country Director of Pure Earth Peru, emphasized the value of building strong ties with local communities: “Our participation in this awareness walk is further evidence that our engagement goes beyond working with authorities. We also want to reach communities, build relationships with them, and, from there, work together to fight lead exposure.”
Velarde added that prevention begins with information and education, both through public policy and within the home: “Lead exposure can be prevented through measures ranging from regulations to actions taken at home. Education is key: understanding the main sources of exposure and what we can do in our own homes.”
From the health sector, Dr. Germán Aragonés, Director of the Ventanilla Health Network, stressed the importance of involving different stakeholders in this effort: “It is crucial for everyone to work together and get involved in this issue because, collectively, we can prevent lead exposure and reduce children’s exposure to lead.”
Sebastián Martínez, an assistant to the prosecutor with the National Coordination Office for the Public Prosecutor’s Crime Prevention Offices, also highlighted the powerful impact of seeing families and neighbors join efforts to prevent lead exposure in their own communities. He reaffirmed the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s commitment to continuing preventive activities and investigating risks and offenses related to exposure to lead and other heavy metals, in collaboration with Pure Earth Peru under the cooperation agreement between the two institutions.
Toward a Healthier Childhood
At the end of the day, the event conveyed an essential message: prevention begins with information, is strengthened by family participation, and requires everyone’s commitment.
Pure Earth Peru will continue working in coordination with the Ministry of Health, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and other institutions to strengthen the response to this issue through both technical support and community awareness activities. In the coming weeks, MINSA will hold similar activities in Junín, Tumbes, Pasco, and Lima Sur, with support from our organization.
Together Against Lead, for a Healthier Childhood!
