Some snapshots from Pachacutec, Peru

15/02/2023

Sisters from Peru share some snapshots from their experiences during the Christmas season. A witness of how people can open their hearts, share and remember the poorest.

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Before Christmas, our dream was to prepare Christmas joy for the children in Pachacutec. We were very grateful to our former alumni and the Santa Ursula school who have contributed to this. We also distributed food to the poor before Christmas. Unfortunately, we have noticed that the level of poverty is getting worse. People often stand with their families on the streets and ask for food.

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Sr Barbara had contact with a poor state school with the interesting name 'Christ on High'. From there she received a list of as many as 470 children from not well-off families who find it hard to get something for their children. Despite this large number, Santa Ursula School prepared gifts for all of them. The children and parents were very touched because the presents were prepared for each specific child, signed, nicely wrapped and in each one there was also a handmade Christmas greeting card.

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On the occasion of the feast of St Ursula, a gathering of former alumnae who celebrated their 50th graduation anniversary was held at our school. The ladies wanted to do something good for the poor on this occasion and decided to prepare 50 gifts for the children of Pachacutec. Before Christmas, we received 50 backpacks filled with school supplies from them, which we were able to give to those in need.

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We run catechesis in our chapel in Pachacutec. It is currently attended by around 50 children. We also had something for them to celebrate Christmas. A group of ladies - former Salesian alumnae - came forward and volunteered to prepare gifts for these children. Three months earlier, the ladies had been selling sweet homemade baked cakes on the streets of Lima to raise money. From this they organised refreshments and gifts for these children.

Based on information from Sr. Barbara Żaba OSU