With this blog come the greetings of all the Children's Kitchens in Lima, as well as all those women whose families continue to benefit from the Baking Workshop.
I continually receive news from Lucia Cuentas, the Parish Social Worker in the Parish of Motupe, Montenegro and Jicamarca, who keeps me informed of all developments. I am also very grateful to Sr. Marg Malady RSJ and the other Josephite Sisters who still work so tirelessly among the people in this part of Lima. Marg continues to manage all money that arrives for The Shared Table, which continues to support the children participating in the eight Children's Kitchens.
On their behalf, I wish to thank once again all those who support The Shared Table, and to wish you a very happy Christmas and God's blessings throughout 2012. And as you enjoy your Christmas celebrations with your own families, remember that you have helped so many of these poor families to be happy too as they celebrate their Christmas and face their new year together.
I wish also to thank the students and staff of our two Parish Schools here in Mildura, St. Paul's and Sacred Heart, as well as St. Joseph's Secondary College, for their generosity in raising a considerable amount of money through the sale of wrist bands made by the ladies of Motupe and Montenegro. Thanks also to Marion Guthrie for her work in promoting the sale of the wrist bands.
Fr. Michael McKinnon
Mildura 8th December 2011
MEDICAL ATTENTION
Lucy Cuentas, the Parish Social Worker, continues to maintain contact with the local medical centres of Motupe and Montenegro, facilitating ongoing contact between them and the Children's Kitchens. Medical staff continually monitor the health, hygiene and growth rate of the children, ensuring that the standard of nutrition provided through the Kitchens is adequate.
Dr. Jorge, who has long assisted the work of the Kitchens, checks children in one of the poorest areas of the Parish, Nuevo Amanecer (New Dawning).
A thorough check of teeth as well.
Some instruction on hygiene and nutrition.
Checking and monotoring weight.
Dr. Jorge, who has long assisted the work of the Kitchens, checks children in one of the poorest areas of the Parish, Nuevo Amanecer (New Dawning).
A thorough check of teeth as well.
Some instruction on hygiene and nutrition.
Checking and monotoring weight.
THE BAKING WORKSHOP
The Baking Workshop continues to flourish with the dedicated commitment and vision of Senora Maria, who is assisted by Columban Lay Missionary Irma Cantago. This Workshop continues to support itself, as the women produce quality products that are eagerly sought down in the local markets. The sales provide sufficient income for the purchase of gas and baking ingredients, as well as a handy income for the women themselves. The self esteem that this workshop engenders within these women is by far the greatest item produced here. Thanks to the persistence and dedication of Senora Maria.
Senora Maria oversees the finer details of the production - there is a standard to be maintained, but there's no accounting for taste when it comes to the choice of colours for the icing!
The number of participants continues to grow. Those who take part are mostly single mothers for whom the added income is invaluable.
Quite a production line today!
Senora Maria oversees the finer details of the production - there is a standard to be maintained, but there's no accounting for taste when it comes to the choice of colours for the icing!
The number of participants continues to grow. Those who take part are mostly single mothers for whom the added income is invaluable.
Quite a production line today!
THE VEGETABLE GARDEN
The Vegetable Garden of Cangallo continues to provide healthy vegetables not only for its own particular Kitchen, but for the others as well when there is an abundance of the same variety.
Youth of Cangallo who help with the care of the garden. These young blokes were among the first children to benefit from the the Children's Kitchen at Cangallo in 2005. Six years on, they are looking fit and well.
Senora Trinidad continues to be one of the prime motivating forces behind the garden and the community in general.
Youth of Cangallo who help with the care of the garden. These young blokes were among the first children to benefit from the the Children's Kitchen at Cangallo in 2005. Six years on, they are looking fit and well.
Senora Trinidad continues to be one of the prime motivating forces behind the garden and the community in general.
LOCAL SUPPORT FROM CHILDREN & YOUTH
"Pulseros" or wrist bands, are produced in reasonable quantities by many women around the pueblos of Lima. The women are provided the material, and then paid about 25 cents for each wrist band produced. The wrist bands are then taken by those who provide the women with the material and sold to tourists on the wealthy side of the city for anywhere between $2.00 and $5.00. This is nothing short of exploitation. With funds initially provided through the Diocese of Ballarat, we have been able to buy the product directly from the women at its market value, and then sell them here in Australia for that same amount. This has resulted in "cutting out the middle man", thus enabling the women to receive sufficient money to be able to buy their own materials and therefore sell directly to the tourists themselves.
Rocky Oliver, a student from St. Joseph's College, Mildura, shows off one of the pulseros that he was selling to other students during Mercy Week at the College. The students ran an awareness campaign with the slogan, "We don't want your charity, we want justice", and raised over $400.00.
Students of St. Paul's Primary School, Mildura, organised a Sports Day to raise funds for The Shared Table, also selling a good number of pulseros to raise around $700.00.
Joining in some of the action of the sports day.
A wonderful united effort from St. Paul's.
Rocky Oliver, a student from St. Joseph's College, Mildura, shows off one of the pulseros that he was selling to other students during Mercy Week at the College. The students ran an awareness campaign with the slogan, "We don't want your charity, we want justice", and raised over $400.00.
Students of St. Paul's Primary School, Mildura, organised a Sports Day to raise funds for The Shared Table, also selling a good number of pulseros to raise around $700.00.
Joining in some of the action of the sports day.
A wonderful united effort from St. Paul's.
Marion Guthrie is not one to shirk a challenge. The plan had been to send some of these pulseros further afield. Through Marion's effort, and the generosity of students and parents of Sacred Heart, Mildura, over $1,000.00 worth of pulseros were sold!
Fortunately, the pulseros are actually a big hit among the children. We might think about asking the ladies to make them in football club colours next year!
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