La Papaleta, the ice cream inspired by Pope Leo XIV that supports the education of children in Chiclayo

An ice cream with a heart has become the recipe to change lives in Chiclayo, Peru. “La Papaleta”inspired “in the Peruvian heart” of Pope Leo XIV, not only sweetens the palate: it also feeds the dreams of dozens of low-income children.

Each purchase of this solidarity vanilla-flavored ice cream, priced at 9 soles ($2.65) in Mr. Paleta’s Chiclaan stores, is transformed into books, classes and smiles in an educational project that encourages reading and the love of learning in the most vulnerable neighborhoods of the city.

The company Mr. Palette decided this year to pay tribute to Pope Leo XIV, bishop emeritus of Chiclayo, with a product that bears his image and that, at the same time, finances a work inspired by his closeness to those most in need. The initiative takes place in the San Juan Apóstol Parish, in the José Leonardo Ortiz district, in northern Peru.

The educational project—with a total cost of 21,000 soles ($6,185) of which more than 50% has already been covered—is executed by the NGO Voices of Helpin coordination with the Chiclayo Chamber of Commerce and the local parish, and benefits children from the Santa Ana sector, one of the most vulnerable in the city.

“It is a popsicle not only sweet, but it teaches and educates,” teacher Marilili Sánchez-Yucto, a Voices of Help volunteer, explained to ACI Prensa.

“We volunteers come on Wednesdays and Saturdays to reinforce the knowledge of about 30 children, instilling in them reading and the love of learning,” he said.

Upon arriving at the San Juan Apóstol parish, a staircase leads to the roof, where a small, recently built module has become a shelter and classroom for dozens of children from the neighborhood. There, every afternoon, a space dedicated to school leveling opens, full of life and color.

Upon entering the door, the first thing that catches your attention is a large blackboard and a wall with shelves full of newly released children’s books, as well as an image of the Virgin Mary and another of Pope Leo. The floor, covered in brightly colored rubber floors, is combined with Mr. Paleta’s signature yellow and purple walls.

On Wednesday, October 15, ACI Prensa visited this corner and witnessed the dedication of teacher Marilili—whom everyone affectionately calls Miss Lili—as she accompanied each child in their homework and reading. There were about fifteen little ones, focused and smiling, reading stories or writing in small notebooks. The atmosphere exuded closeness, patience and personalized attention.

The initiative has sought to continue the pastoral and social work that Pope Leo XIV carried out when he was bishop of Chiclayo, where he promoted various solidarity actions, according to Sánchez-Yucto.

“This is a work that we continue in memory of Pope Leo

Educational needs that demand hope

The project promoted by Voices of Help is developed in a context where educational gaps continue to be an urgent challenge in Peru. A recent study by the National Center for Strategic Planning (Ceplan) revealed worrying levels of educational vulnerability in the country.

The report “Vulnerability of people in the territory 2013-2023” warns that 4.8% of Peruvians over 15 years of age are illiterate, while more than 60% of second grade students do not achieve the expected learning in reading comprehension and almost 90% in mathematical reasoning. In addition, nearly 70% of public schools do not have complete access to drinking water, sewage and electricity, according to data in the report.

Although the educational vulnerability index showed some improvement after the pandemic, falling from 35.7 to 30.9%, Ceplan emphasizes that the gap between regions remains wide, especially in rural areas and the Amazon.

Continue the legacy of Pope Leo XIV

Against this backdrop, the director of Voices of Help, Janinna Sesa, highlighted that “La Papaleta” was born precisely as a way to keep the footprint of Leo XIV alive in Chiclayo.

Sesa, who directed Cáritas Chiclayo between 2014 and 2024, met then-Bishop Robert Prevost shortly after his arrival in the diocese.

“From our side, when Pope Leo XIV was elected, it occurred to us, through the Chamber of Commerce, to be able to continue with at least five of the many works that he did,” he explained to ACI Prensa.

“One of the first was precisely the school reinforcement that parish volunteers promoted at the time. Thanks to the financing of Mr. Paleta and his product “La Papaleta”, we have been able to reopen this educational space and implement a library where children go every Wednesday and Saturday,” he added.

Sesa expressed his joy at seeing how the initiative is awakening the interest of other local companies.

“It is very nice to be able to continue what he started, and now do it with great enthusiasm and with the help of more institutions,” he commented.

The classroom where the classes take place was fully implemented thanks to financing from Mr. Paleta. Although the project is initially planned until January, the organizers assure that it will continue as long as the sale of solidarity ice cream continues.

“It’s not going to stay there,” said Sánchez-Yucto. “As long as La Papaleta continues to be sold, this work will continue. We want the Pope to know that we follow his example, helping with love and hope those who need it most,” he concluded.