What we do...

JOSEPHITES IN PERU

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Since we arrived in Peru (1981) we have worked with people of varying ages and circumstances: prisoners, families, women, children and youth. Our usual way of working is with groups. By encouragement and supportive presence, we aim to help each person to realise her/his own potential and to promote leadership qualities. Some of this work is concerned with faith development while other initiatives nourish personal growth.

At present we are working in various sections of Lima and in the south east of Peru in Pitumarca. We were also at Huasahuasi for a time. The foundation in Peru reflects something of the beginnings of the Congregation. Many of the people of our parishes in Lima are migrants in their own country. They have fled from the rural poverty caused by government neglect of the sector, and from the terrorism that resulted. In the cities they struggle to start new lives in make shift huts without water, light or sewerage.

At El Pacifico, Lima.

Four of us live at the Central House, Sisters Geraldine Stringer, Juanita Scari Maria Cecilia Paiva Huaringa and Patricia Day.

Patricia and Geraldine teach English and also work with the children of Juan Pablo, one of the poorer areas of the Parish. Maria Cecilia, our Peruvian sister, is presently in 4th year at Teachers Training College. Juanita works in Spiritual Direction and retreats. She also is an assessor in a poor part of the Parish named Dolorosa. 

Part of our ministry is Hospitality to our own Sisters and to many visitors who come from afar to visit Peru.

Patricia, Geraldine, Juanita and Maria Cecilia celebrating Jaunita's 50th Jubilee of Profession

Another part of our ministry is suppòrting programmes and activities in various locations.

Casa Mary de la Cruz (the house of Mary of the Cross) is used to provide developmental opportunities for children and families. The house in a needy neighbourhood is owned by the Josephites and offers services provided by Josephite Associates with appropriate professional qualifications.  The ground floor is a comedor providing affordable, nourishing meals.  The breakfast programme serves 500 children each day.

Casa Betania (House of Bethany) is where the Peruvian women who are leaders of this program have made considerable progress. They have further extended their trading in handcraft production and in management and have successfully dispatched two orders to the large Australian department store Myer, as well as preparing numerous smaller orders. They also support the beginnings of a handcraft co-operative in Pitumarca.

At Cruz De Motupe, Lima.

Presently two sisters live in the parish of Nuestra Señora de la Paz.  Margaret Malady works in the maximum security gaol nearby visitng the prisoners. She teaches them English as well accompanying them during their time in prison.  She also works in the parish as does Clare Conaglen.  Margaret accompanies two communities of parish as well as working in the area of health visitng the sick and groups elderly. She is also involved with the catechetical programme for First Eucharist.

Clare works with two groups of special needs children, handcraft programme for women, the Confirmation proramme, accompanies one of the communties of the parish and assesor of the network of libraries/homework centres for children.

Hillside in Cruz de Motupe

At Pitumarca.

Two Sisters live among the people in this medium sized Andean community situated beyond Cuzco. They concentrate their efforts on children and families, recognising the need of the families for financial viability and the need of the children for education. They also support local cultural and spiritual endeavours.

Pitumarca

Children in Pitumarca

At Tarma

Tarma is a provincial centre in the North Central Highlands.   Sister Doraothy Stevenson lives here and is involved in various projects. Tarma

Casa Betania

A particular emphasis in our ministry has been on working with women and providing 'Women's Houses' where courses and workshops are offered. Casa Betania has been in existence for nearly 20 years and provides a workshop in Lima where goods can be made for sale. Casa de la Mujer has a cooperative kitchen within it where cheap meals are prepared by a local committee. Courses are run such as hairdressing for a set number of weeks. In all course opportunity is provided for self development.

ST JOSEPH'S AUSTRALIAN - PERUVIAN MISSION ASSOCIATES

Many communities of the Congregation, and school and parish groups as well as a range of individual benefactors support our work financially and with prayer. The St Joseph's Australian - Peruvian Mission Associates Incorporated is a formal group who raise funds and receive donations and thus sponsor projects and provide scholarships for our people in Peru. (for example $500 Australian provides support for one student for a month at Teachers' Training College in Peru).