KITCHENS AND VEGIES

We are currently operating 6 children's kitchens in the Parish, and are assisting two others that are not Parish projects. As our year draws to an end, we sincerely thank all who support us.

Maricielo is grateful to all our supporters of The Shared Table.

Luchito enjoys his lunch at the kitchen of Motupe.

Bishop Peter Connors visits the children's kitchen of Cangallo.

Putting in some hours in the biohuerto (vegie garden).

After school hours in the biohuerto.

Señora Trinidad waters the vegetables.

Children assist in the biohuerto.

BIBLIOTECAS (Libraries)

The Parish runs six Bibliotecas (libraries) for children and young people of the area. The homes of many students are not conducive to study, and lack the required amenities, so in the Bibliotecas they have access not only to materials (and in some, computers) but they also have supervision and a tranquil environment in which to study. Our Bibliotecas are closely associated with The Shared Table Project.

Luis, one of the young people who helps to supervise the Biblioteca of Motupe, sorts through some material to assist one of the children attending.

Edwin makes use of the space and the materials of the Motupe Biblioteca for his university studies.

Children and young people using the computers in the Biblioteca of Motupe.

BISHOP PETER CONNORS VISITS LIMA

Towards the end of the month of September 2008, we were privileged to welcome Bishop Peter Connors of the Diocese of Ballarat, Australia, amongst us. The Ballarat Diocese has been extremely generous over the past 5 years in its support of our pastoral development here in the Parish of Motupe - Montenegro - Jicamarca, and it was a great joy for the people of our Children's Kitchens to be a part of that welcome.

An attempt at an English welcome for the bishop. The intention is obviously there.

Bishop Peter is welcomed into the patio of the chapel of Motupe before the official celebration.

The crowd gathers for the welcome.

The official liturgical welcome to Bishop Peter.

"Bishop, thank you for visiting this community". After a celebration of thanksgiving in the chapel, the cultural celebration with dance and song begins.

Children of the kitchen of Motupe nervously await the beginning of their dance.

Full of pride at being a part of the big show! Children from the kitchen of Montenegro perform their dance for the Bishop.

The "Marianera", performed by two of the children from Cangallo, finishes to the sound of great applause.

Bishop Peter Connors, with the Parish Social Worker Lucia Cuentas, acknowledge a very enjoyable morning.

THE BAKING WORKSHOP

Bishop Peter Connors inspects the work of preparing trays for baking.
Mid year, with the assistance of the Terang Branch of the Knights of the Southern Cross an industrial oven was installed at the kitchen in Motupe. Bishop Peter was invited to observe the work of some of the women involved in the workshop which enables them to produce and sell produce in the local market, hence supplementing their weekly family income.

Building up the production line as the baking is underway.

Bishop Peter Connors congratulates the women on their work. Seen are trays of empanadas (Peruvian pasties) and biscuits.

PEDREGAL ALTO

Contact with the settlement of Pedregal Alto began over two years ago. This is a particularly poor community, and we have afforded them assistance in the past with their own community kitchen. However, when assistance began to be offered through the Parish, some greedy community leaders made an effort to take over the running of the kitchen for their own ends. When a protest was issued, they closed down the kitchen and refused the mothers access to the community centre. Upon their arrival to the Parish, Marion and Luke Guthrie were able to offer assistance for the building of a multi purpose centre through help from the Parish of Sacred Heart Mildura. This building is currently in progress, and should be finished by the end of November. The following photos depict the occasion of the roofing of the centre. The families of Pedregal Alto are extremely grateful to Luke and Marion, and all their friends from Mildura.

Luke Guthrie inspects the prepared roof before the pouring of the concrete.

Gearing up for the job ahead. This bloke is an old hand - plastic down inside the boots to stop concrete from falling inside. No need to mention that he had also put plastic down inside another very strategic place.

Four keen spectators at the big job. Waiting in hope for a few morsels left over from the lunch, no doubt. These will be some of the beneficiaries of the new centre.

Work gets underway. The method is very rudimentary - empty cooking oil drums are filled with cement from the hired mixer and carted up up on the shoulders of the workers. About 8 hours work, with a stop for lunch provided by the women of the community.

Marion and Luke Guthrie sit with the women who have prepared the lunch for the men working on the roofing of the multi purpose building, awaiting the official inauguration with the bottle of champagne. Marion was to do the honours with the smashing of the bottle to celebrate the completion of the roofing.

Water, such a precious commodity anywhere. Children of Pedregal Alto wait for the arrival of the "aguatero", the water man, who will fill their "cilindro" (the equivalent to a 44 gallon drum) for S/. 2.40, about $1.00 Aus. As we initiate this new project we pray that our Church may be at the forefront in the task of bringing people of our world to an awareness of how precious our natural resources are, and of our mandate to protect God's creation and to make sure that all may equally benefit from these resources, especially our poorest sisters and brothers. Once again, we thank all those who support the Shared Table Project, by way of friendship, prayer and economic assistance.

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