INTRODUCTION

Hello again from Lima.

In this blogspot we have selected a couple of projects that are experiencing difficulties at the moment. Unfortunately, poverty breeds greed, corruption and violence, despite the fact that so many who live amidst such conditions do so heroically. In communicating the following, we wish also to express our heartfelt thanks to all who support us. Strength comes not just from the food we share, but from the shared commitment of our faith which nourishes and sustains us in our shared mission of the proclamation of God's reign. May our Lenten observence this year remind us of our solidarity with the poor and marginalised.

CHILDREN'S KITCHEN - SAN ANTONIO

The Kitchen of San Antonio has a history of difficult encounters. Señora Martha Vargas founded the Kitchen with a group of mothers in 1994 on a property in Jicamarca. Since then, with changes of "Dirigentes" (similar to our local Shire Councilors), the majority of whom have been corrupt, the illegal sale of land has been rife. An extended family group have claimed ownership of a tract of land upon which the Kitchen of San Antonio stands. Ignoring the legal documentation that assigns the land to the Kitchen, as well as disregarding the fact that in this part of the world "possession is more than 9/10's of the law", these people have embarked on a campaign of intimidation in an effort to frighten the women and children from the site of the Kitchen.

The Shared Table has been subsidising costs for the feeding of children in this Kitchen for the past two years. For this reason, we are attempting to assist Martha and her women in protecting their Kitchen and their right to the land upon which it is situated. Seeking help from local authorities and the police has proved frustrating and at times futile. Everything has its cost here, and we are refusing to pay bribes for protection that should be lawfully afforded the Kitchen as a community project.

There are some small signs that we may win the struggle yet, but there is the very real fear also that more serious violence may occur before the victory is secure. As well as the dollar a week that people are so generously contributing, we ask also, on behalf of our mothers and children, that this project be remembered in your prayers.

We thank all our supporters once again, and look forward to the developments of 2008.

Señora Martha Vargas stands her ground.

Señor Raul Bazan rallies his people to begin another attack upon the women of the Kitchen of San Antonio. His tactic is to intimidate, but lately his methods have become more violent.

Evidence of an attack made upon the Kitchen while children were present. One of the children was hit by a rock thrown from outside and had 5 stitches to his forehead as a consequence.

A boulder was thrown up onto the roof of the simple structure of the Kitchen, destroying part of the iron roof.

Bazan, in full flight armed with iron piping, destroying the PRONOI (National Pre School Program) in an effort to intimidate the mothers of the Kitchen which operates next door. The Kitchen will be his final assult if he has his way. We are in the process of trying to ensure police protection while we construct a wall around the Kitchen - however it seems the majority of the local police are "owned" by traffickers of land.

Enjoying lunch at the Comedor of San Antonio.

Regular visits to the Kitchen are necessary. There have never been any attacks whilst any Church authorities have been present - such things occur only when the women are alone and defenceless. The tactics of Señor Bazan and his family are very cowardly.

ENGLISH WITH THE GUTHRIES

For the next twelve months Luke and Marion Guthrie from Mildura (Ballarat Diocese) will be with us in the Parish making their contribution to our mission. I am sure their presence will serve to strengthen even more the bonds between Peru and the Diocese of Ballarat. Luke and Marion have supported various projects through the Columbans in Peru over many years. They are currently accupied teaching English, and will be accompanying a couple of the local chapel communities. At present the planning and running of the classes seems to be keeping them busy, and the local response indicates that their efforts are paying off. Once their course is established they may have time to move into other areas as well. We wish them well over the next twelve months.

Marion leads this evening's session while Luke does some tutoring with one of the more advanced students.

The class takes it all in, obviously some catching more than others. But continued attendance indicates genuine interest.

Marion in full command.

Even Luke seems pretty impressed with Marion's efforts this evening.

PEDREGAL ALTO

Pedregal Alto is one of our poorest communities in the Valley of Jicamarca. The mothers took the initiative in organising their own Kitchen to feed their children. This communal organisation cuts daily food costs significantly. The Shared Table has been subsidisiing this project for the past six months or so. Unfortunately the Community leaders recently took the decision to evict the mothers from the local community centre from which they were operating (basically because they themselves were not in control of the project, and thus unable to manage what they saw as a community income from The Shared Table). Through the Parish we are currently investigating the aquisition of some land which we hope to develop as a small Parish Centre out of which the Kitchen, among other initiatives, can operate.

Hermalinda (right) is the coordinator of the Kitchen as well as one of our key pastoral contacts in Pedregal Alto. She has recently finished her first year of a three year summer course for the formation of Parish Community Leaders.

Caldo de Gallina con Tallerines (Chicken Broth with Pasta). A typical Peruvian dish from the Provinces which is both tastey and fairly nutritious.

VEGETABLE GARDEN - CANGALLO

An early summer crop of Tomatoes looks healthy.
The Biohuerto (Vegetable Garden) still proves to be a source of healthy nutrition for the Kitchen in Cangallo as well as the other Kitchens. The garden also provides an interest for children and youth as they participate in its cultivation and care.

Meri, Percy and Oscar lend a helping hand in the Biohuerto (Vegetable Garden), standing amidst an early crop of tomatoes and maize.

The summer crop of tomatoes is nearing its end. A good harvest which provided a great batch of tomatoe sauce.

Lugging new soil and fertilizer up the hill to freshen up some of the terraces after the summer harvest.

William turns over some soil, preparing one of the terraces for autumn sowing.

Time for a laugh after an afternoon working amongst the vegetables.

Thanks once again to our friends from Australia and Ireland.

See previous blogspot: www.thesharedtable7.blogspot.com