Pilgrimage To Peru: DAY 4

Today is sunny and hot as is every day here in Lima. Our driver picked us up at the Convent and took us to Caritas Lima which is the office of the foundation that is responsible for all funds donated by the Pembroke Diocese and other local and individual benefactors. This office is located in the building that houses the Cardinal’s residence and the offices of the Diocese of Lima. It is at these offices that extremely difficult decisions regarding allocation of funds must be made. Needless to say, there is a much greater need in the Lima area than the donations can possible cover, but those responsible for the poor take their jobs very seriously. We were given a brief presentation by, Jorge, Director of Caritas Lima, who has accompanied us on our journey.

Jorge explained that, yes, the people of Lima who have money do contribute to this and many other charities but there are many who are hesitant to entrust their money to either Church or state. As is often the case, the poor suffer because of this reality. The donations that are received are used for education, health care, housing, and nutrition. Their philosophy is that each person deserves both spiritual and material growth. He was justifiably proud of their progress but admitted that there was much work to be done.

After the presentation, we were privileged to visit Asilo Immaculada which is a home for 12 elderly women who do not have any family to care for them. We took them gift bags containing items of clothing, toiletries and sweets that had been put together in Chincha with donated clothes/blankets and purchased items such as nightgown, toiletries, socks, container of treats, etc. and brought to Chincha for this purpose. The women were deeply touched by our generosity and especially by the gift of our time and would have loved to have us stay all day. Some looked through the bags immediately and one refused to set it down. She carried it and followed us everywhere we went. They fixed their hair and asked that we take their pictures! It was another experience that I will cherish forever.

We made our way to the main square of Lima, Plaza de Armas to see one of Lima’s most popular tourist attractions, the changing of the guard in the courtyard of the Parliament buildings. Some of the group had time to make a quick tour of the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, one of Lima’s oldest and most beautiful Churches, before we joined the others in our group. We watched the changing of the guard in full regalia and the brass band sounding their best for the spectators.

Our next visit was Hagar Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo which is a home that cares for patients who are preparing for or recovering from medical procedures. It was here that we met an amazing Sister from Brazil, Hermana Jacinta Rampazzo, who, along with 3 other Sisters, cares for 42 patients. One of their most special guests is a 3 year old boy who came in for surgery 6 months ago (weighing 5 k!!) and was left in their care by his mother because she could not look after him. When the Sister went to his home to see if she could do anything to improve his home situation, she found that “home” was a flat piece of dirt shared with many animals and the only possessions was a cooking pot. She decided then and there that he had to be cared for at Hagar Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo and he will continue to stay there. His medicine is very costly and they were not equipped to deal with a young child but clearly, Sister Jacinta is loving her new role as caregiver/Mother figure to this very beautiful boy. During lunch she laughed and confided that she really never expected to be raising a child and was rather unprepared for the task. From what we saw, she has taken to the task very well. He followed her into the dining room and climbed up on her knee as would any 3 year old surrounded by strangers. She too is doing remarkable work with very little money. She freely admits that she receives barely enough money to pay the bills and leaves the rest, food and volunteer help, to Divine Providence. May God Bless her and provide that much needed help.

Thank you and God Bless. Joan

Another remarkable day here in Lima – Joan’s words speak for themselves – I would just add mine from the viewpoint of having been here before – not to the senior women’s home, just to the home caring for those visiting the hospital. The women we met at the seniors’ home were all over 70 years of age and were tremendously happy to see us – one lady from Cuzco had a shy look about her, but was so happy to interact with us and we were told that she loved to feed the pigeons and was always being chastised as (as we all know) the pigeons love to come back and make a mess if they are constantly being fed!! This is a problem at one of the churches downtown too – St. Francis of Assisi – if people would not feed the pigeons, they might depart, but there is always someone taking pity on them and feeding them!!

I could not believe that Sr. Jacinta recognized me when we arrived at the Home caring for the sick – it had been 2 yrs in Nov. when I was there and she recognized me before I even stepped out of the van. This person amazes me, she oozes so many things: energy, enthusiasm for her work, caring, happiness, and especially love!! It’s so hard to put into words, you have to experience it to truly appreciate it. This home is a Godsend to everyone in it and it brings tears to my eyes to see this! She deserves so much more help, but all is being taken care of in some way. At the present time she is worried that they are having trouble paying the gas and electrical bills. The wife of one of the men volunteering at the Manchay water/sewage project (from France) is volunteering here, as are young novitiates and a nurse. How do these projects come together and work? Sr. Jacinta would say it is Divine Providence or all in God’s hands!

It was a very emotional day for me! After a rest in the afternoon, some of us took in a local show of cultural dance of South America put on by a school of dance – nice experience, and then a spot of supper and back for a good night’s rest as tomorrow we will be packing up and heading to Chincha!! Hasta Manana. Yvonne