The Work of Others

The past week and a half I have been visiting some of the other organizations and groups in Chimbote that work to meet the needs of different populations. Below is a list of these organizations and some of the work they do. It is really inspiring and challenging for me to meet others who are doing such good work in really serving and accompanying many of the people struggling in Chimbote. I have a lot to learn from all of them.

Casa de la Mujer: Unfortunately when I went to visit here they were busy working on a campaign to get women more involved in local and national politics so they weren’t able to talk. But as the name would suggest they do a lot of work with different women’s issues and really try to empower women to take a more active role in government and work on different campaigns like women’s health, HIV/AIDS, and ending violence against women. I am hoping to go back in the next week or so to sit down and talk with them more about the work they do.

Hogar de la Paz: This is a home and center for people who are mentally and physically disabled, ranging from about age 12 or so to probably 90s. The Missionaries of Charity run the home, but rely heavily on volunteers as there are only 4 sisters and just over 70 people who live with them. This was probably one of the most challenging places for me and really demonstrated what love in action looks like, because the sisters and volunteers have to meet all of the daily needs of the people who live here including cooking and feeding, bathing, help with going to the bathroom or changing diapers, and the daily chores around the house. On top of their work with the disabled, they offer a free lunch every day for anyone who wants to come and eat.

Centro de Amar: This center is run by the Good Shepherd Sisters and offers a place of refuge, counseling, and/or companionship for female prostitutes and sex workers. They are open and available as needed and the women are free to come in when they want. The sisters offer counseling, self-esteem workshops, classes and workshops for the children of the women, and whatever else might be of help to the women. Hermana Pilla spoke with us and shared how all of the women have experienced sexual abuse and usually rape during their childhoods and how they continue to be an abused and marginalized population. She also has a great philosophy that comes from being a Good Shepherd sister: If we only helped one woman, it would all be worth it (like the Shepherd who goes after the 1 sheep and leaves the 99). It’s not about how many, it’s about how much love is shared, even with just one person.

CECOPROS: Jane, one of the other IWMs I am living with, works with this organization on media and communication. They have a radio station, publish the diocesan newspaper, and film different informational programs for the TV. Jane is currently working with them on filming some of the small towns outside Chimbote to air on TV to show the realities of the people there. For more information and links to some of their programs, check out Jane’s blog and links. (I have a link to her blog on the side).

Comicion de Justicia Social: The Social Justice Commission is also part of the archdiocese of Chimbote and was the first human rights/ social justice organization connected to the Catholic Church in Peru. They have a lot of great programs including work with prisoners (which I am really hoping to be a part of) and at-risk youth, campaigns to end racism, campaigns to get people more involved in local politics and policy making in order to create better laws, support groups, and workshops on a number of different topics. I recently attended a workshop they had on human rights and discrimination with a specific focus on the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans) community. It had a pretty good turnout and offered a good overview of Human Rights (focusing on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and then explaining and exploring questions of different sexual orientations and the discrimination and violence that exists against this population. Jane was telling me that this is the first workshop of its kind in Chimbote, which is a sign of hope in working toward the dignity and respect of all people. In such a strong machista culture anyone who varies from the socially defined roles of men and women is at risk for their own personal safety and well-being.

Padre Juanito: Padre Juanito is probably one of the best known priests in Chimbote and after visiting his church and seeing the many programs he offers I can see why. The Church complex is huge including Church, rooms for international volunteers to stay at, a gymnasium/work out room, rooms for preschool and kindergarten, rooms for youth to come and work on homework which include computers and a library with books lining all the walls, the Padre’s house, rooms for family counseling and workshops, and a number of other rooms currently under construction. They have programs for pretty much any population and age group one would be interested in working with. I met Amy, a volunteer from Ireland who has been here two years, who leads a women’s group on Friday afternoons that I am hoping to start attending. The Church is also an incredible sight that my words will not do justice to and unfortunately I did not bring a camera along on the trip. Let’s say the highlight would definitely be the altar, which is an aquarium with fish swimming around. Yep, the altar where communion is celebrated is home to many little fishies and a fishnet draped over the top. Fantastic!

Centro de la Juventud: I think this one of the extended programs of Padre Juanitos, because the guy who was showing us around took us here too, but it might be separate. This is a center for at risk youth, particularly those who have left gangs and are trying to get back on their feet. Each day they teach a different skill like sewing, cosmetology, cooking, carpentry, and one other one I can’t remember. They offer help preparing for the college entrance exam and just provide a safe space that youth can go to hang out away from their gang life.

Well, that’s all the places I’ve visited so far. My main work is with St. Francis parish, but I’m hoping to continue doing pastoral visits with Hospice a few days a week, and then maybe joining the women’s group on Friday afternoons, helping when I can with some of the other sites, and trying to get a program going in the prison. I appreciate all of your prayers and ask you to include all these wonderful organizations and peoples in your prayers as well. There is a lot of good work being done in the name of love and justice and I’m blessed to be a little part of it.

Peace and Love always

Constructive Concern

Preparing to leave for Peru in less than 48 hours now, I am aware of the large community I have supporting me, and I thank each and everyone of you. I am also aware that many are worried or concerned for my safety and well-being. I would like to challenge you to worry or be concerned just as much for all those who daily live the realities I will be experiencing and worse. If you hope that I am welcomed by the community, ask yourself if you are welcoming to strangers and offer hospitality to those who are new or in need. If you worry about me not having enough to eat, think of the thousands who die daily from starvation, they are part of my body as well. If you worry about me being robbed, think of those who not only have money or possessions stolen, but have their houses destroyed and their land taken away. Hundreds if not thousands are robbed daily of their culture, their roots, their home and family. If you worry about me being sick, think of all the preventable diseases which claim the lives of many because we have not learned how to share our resources and knowledge. If you worry about my health and saftey, ask why my health and safety are threatened. What are the structures that create poverty so some must steal from others because they have been stolen from? Or why are there greater health risks in impoverished areas with little to no health care? See if any of your worries or concerns for me can become motivations for social and structural change. Everything is interconnected and we are all part of the same body and the one Spirit. When one part suffers, we all suffer, and when one part rejoices we all rejoice. If you care about me, if you care about yourself, care about Our body and work to protect it. Work to ensure that all parts, all peoples, are treated with dignity and respect, and in that I too will be treated with dignity and respect.