CHARO BECERRA-JAUSLIN
Charo Becerra-Jauslin is an exceptional woman! Originally from Arequipa, Peru, she grew up in the country’s second-largest city, surrounded by her two brothers and parents. From a young age, Charo stood out for her energy and passion for sports. She regularly played soccer with her brothers, but her true passion was ignited when she discovered basketball. At the age of 10, she began playing at her club, Club Internacional, which at the time did not have a women’s basketball team.
One day, the coach of the men’s team at the club noticed her. Impressed by her determination to train for hours and hours, he decided to leave the men’s team and create a women’s basketball team, paving a new path for Charo. The initiative proved to be a great success, as this team went on to compete at the regional level in Peru. Charo fully dedicated herself to this sport, which became an essential part of her life. Her motivation was so strong that she brought it to her school. Together with her physical education teacher and friends, they set up the school’s first basketball court and founded its first girls’ basketball team!
Basketball had a profound impact on Charo, shaping her character and life journey. When injuries prevented her from continuing to play, she turned to a new passion: theater! She joined a theater troupe in Arequipa and used acting as a form of expression and a way to overcome her natural shyness. By embodying different characters, Charo found the courage to assert herself, express her emotions, and overcome personal obstacles.
Charo’s courage and resilience were largely inspired by her mother, a central figure in her life. Their relationship, though close, was tested by challenges. At the age of 17, Charo and her family were involved in a severe car accident that left her mother quadriplegic at just 45 years old. This event turned the family’s life upside down, and Charo, still a teenager, quickly took on the responsibility of caring for her mother with the love and compassion only a daughter could provide
Despite the hardships, her mother showed incredible strength, continuing to live with dignity and courage. Charo affectionately calls her “the brave princess,” who lived for 30 years with her disability with grace and lightness. This model of resilience deeply influenced Charo, who transitioned from a carefree girl to a responsible adult almost overnight.
Eventually, the time came to emigrate and build a new life—a decision that would define her future. On the invitation of a dear childhood friend she had met on the basketball court, Charo decided to move to Switzerland and settle in Geneva. After completing studies at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, she built a family and provided a multicultural education for her two children.
She also managed to reconnect with her passion for theater, joining several troupes and performing in plays that were well-received in Geneva. Finally, she became involved in developing Radio SuizaLatina, which highlights some of her greatest qualities: fostering cultural integration, promoting the well-being of those around her, and always bringing out the best in people.
