Pilgrimage To Peru: DAY 2

It is not often that I am lost for words. Today was one of those occasions. We left the city of Lima and traveled to Manchay. This is a community that was established 16 years ago by families that fled from the mountains to escape the Shining Path. Yesterday, from the high points in the city of Lima we could see this area that is built onto the rocky and inhospitable desert terrain of the foot hills of the Andes Mountains. Today, accompanied again by Bishop Tomasi, we had what is perhaps the most unique experience of my life.

The mini-bus driver, who is my new hero, navigated our bus up the “road” that connects Manchay to the rest of the world . The roads are really just paths that have been carved into the rocky mountain side. Our group was met by the Parish Priest, Padre Jose, who is quite a remarkable man. Padre began our visit in a small office that had a wall sized drawing of the many different districts that make the community of Manchay. I was completely unprepared for the size and scope of this project. When Padre began his work 16 years ago there were 20,000 people living in the area. Today that number has grown to an astonishing 80,000 souls. There is one large church and several smaller chapels. Last year alone there were 580 children who made their First Communion and 400 children who were Confirmed. These staggering numbers would send most Parish Priests on an extended leave of absence but this man was full of energy, enthusiasm and most of all, pride in the accomplishments of his people. He too fled from the mountains and dedicated his life to God as thanks for his freedom.

We learned of their schools and day care programs that keep the youngest children safe and nourished while the parents are at work. One of the most impressive undertakings is the Trades School that is clearly Bishop Tomasi’s pride and joy. This school prepares young adults for a work force that will need workers trained in sewing, cooking, health care, computer technology and agriculture. Currently there are nurses who have completed their training at the Trade School who are employed in a Manchay clinic. We drove to the top of one of the areas and were able to look down over a huge sprawling tangle of houses, businesses and other structures built from any manner of material that could be found. My thoughts must have been evident as the Bishop came over, put his arm around my shoulders and simply asked that were my thoughts. That was a tough question to answer. His pride in all these projects is certainly mixed with a profound sadness that there is need on such a large scale in his community.

There is certainly no time or room for despair in Manchay. Our last hour with the Bishop and Padre were spent planting 7 trees along the road that winds up behind the Trades School. There are a small group of volunteers from Europe who are working on a project to use waste water from the school to grow trees and other “Green” projects along what could only be described as a Lunar Landscape. The real miracle is that some trees and ground covers are now over 2 years old and seem to be thriving. God does work wonders!

Tomorrow we will tour another district with the Bishop. I can only pray that he and Padre Jose live to be very old men so that their projects will continue to grow with the community of Manchay.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Joan

Denis arrived early this morning – his flight was late and Sr. Pauline and Pedro had to wait a while at the airport (I guess I wimped out as I had trouble staying awake until 11 pm!!), and they arrived close to 2am here. Everyone slept well and after breakfast here, we piled into the van and made our way across the sprawling city to Manchay – one of the newest communities in Lima. Most of the people living here are from the mountains – poverty has forced them to find a new home and a new life. They make their way to Lima and try to get a small parcel of land in the steep hilly area of Manchay. This community is only about 16 years old and within the past 8 years, I see a big difference. It was about 20,000 big and now has grown to 80,000 people. The church that was built first was surrounded by sand and rubble, but now paved streets surround it, a park area has been built in front of it, the parish school has grown to twice its size and now trees and other plant life are being planted along the streets to try and beautify the place.

We visited the community centre where now we see more construction in the nursery school area – a dining room is being built. At our last visit six classrooms had been built. These nursery schools are very important to the community as they let the mothers find work and increase their income and living conditions. It also provides the children with a safe environment and teaches them simple things that they might not receive at home (one of them being how to use a toilet, instead of squatting over a hole in the ground!! ) It’s easy to shake your head at this, but it is a reality for many here and a lot of effort is being put into teaching them hygiene and nutrition.

At one time in downtown Lima the streets smelled of urine as there were no public toilets to be had and people just used the sidewalks. All this is changing and public washrooms are popping up everywhere . All of Lima is looking cleaner (as you see street cleaners sweeping daily), more green is evident as the grass, trees, shrubs and flowers are watered and taken care of. They are showing that they are proud of their city and Lima is actually quite welcoming now, compared to my first visit in 2005. The pollution still exists, but they have built a train system that helps alleviate traffic congestion and pollution (somewhat anyway).

And so I see a similar change in Manchay – more streets are paved now, more stores abound, but they still have a water problem. Water is still trucked in and everyone has a huge plastic storage tank and it is sold by the liter!! The technological school is expanding and now they are working on a project that uses sewage as a watering system for plants and trees. At present there are two men from France who are volunteering for this project. They have set up the system and already over 200 trees are thriving. We all planted a pine tree along the roadway going up to the top of the hill. Some of you may remember the back of the school - it was just a steep bare rocky hill, now there is greenery in the trees and shrubs as they are being well looked after by the special watering system. Pretty soon the statue of Pole John Paul II will be surrounded by lush greenery!!

We had lunch with Bishop Tomasi and Padre Jose in the dining hall at the parish school, prepared by the kitchen staff. The last time I visited here (Nov. 2010) the place was teaming with children and their laughter and chatter. Today it was quiet as the summer holidays continue until the beginning of March.

The ride back to the centre was somewhat shorter than this morning’s and we have a quiet two hours until we are picked up for a bus tour of the city.

The bus for the city tour is an open air bus and its great during the day, but you have to be careful of the sun. At night it gets a little chilly and you should have a sweater!! We had a little trouble hearing the guide, but seeing the city from the second story was very interesting. Each city square we entered was teaming with people at cafes enjoying the evening. We stopped at the Water fountain park for a walk through and then at the Sheraton Hotel for tea, coffee and sandwiches!! Nice touch! Then it was back to the centre for a quiet night’s sleep. Buenas Noches. Yvonne