St. John’s Cathedral Norwich has been linked to our twinned parish of Tambogrande Peru since 1974. Initially started by the Third World Group the link is under the remit of The Justice and Peace Group.We support the work of The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Over the years we have supported a wide range of projects from providing capital for wells, bee projects, subsidised school supplies and emergency medical assistance for example transport to an epilepsy clinic in the city of Piura.Epilepsy is a significant problem in this part of Peru.

Since 2010 we have supported the workers in the Fe Y Alegria 48 network which is headed up by Peruvian Sister Marleny. She and Belgian Sr Marie-Laure work with teachers, psychologists,agricultural specialists providing  free education  to children in 30 settings in the area. They range for example from a one- roomed nursery class to a rural high school with an organic garden, beehives, a reservoir, guinea pig production unit. A unique feature is that the schools provide a daily meal for the children.

Since 2010 we have supported the community by paying the salary of Ricardo an agriculture teacher who works in a rural high school. We also pay for Wilma a health worker working in the rural school network overseen by the Sisters. Ricardo taught  the children very practical skills in planting, caring for and harvesting food.The funding for this post has been transferred to the education authority. From 2019 we now support only Wilma.

Wilma has a variety of roles. Pre Covid pandemic she has overseen the school kitchens and their staff, helped monitor the sanitation at the schools and supported the mothers working in the school snack kiosks. Wilma has also overseen hygiene programmes and vaccination programmes with a local nurse.

Since Covid she visits 5 villages noting signs of illness, malnutrition, destitution and families needing extra health. Wilma then assists in directing the extra help the families need. She also has been taking reading books to children helping with reading.

We need to raise £2000 annually for Wilma and although we have some regular donors we do need extra funds. Cash donations can be placed in the Tambogrande slot in the outer porch. To donate with a credit or debit card, please use the Dona pay points in the Rotunda, selecting the Tambogrande option. If you would like to donate larger amounts or help with fundraising that would be very welcome.

Please feel free to contact Justice and Peace treasurer Philip Jimenez philipjimenez2022@gmail.com or Tambogrande co-ordinator Sarah Ebelewicz scmebelewicz@gmail.com.

Tambogrande latest news

We had news last week from Sr. Marie Laure in Tambogrande. The situation there is very difficult.

Please can we pray for the communities hit by this flooding and SRS Marleny, Marie Laure, Wilma (who we sponsor) and the network staff.

If you are able to donate, the Justice and Peace Group hope to send extra funds for flood relief.

You can email the group treasurer Philip Jimenez philipjimenez2022@gmail.com to arrange payment direct from your bank. Alternatively please use the Dona card machine in the Rotunda, selecting Tambogrande, or leave a cheque made payable to the St John’s Cathedral Justice and Peace Group. Please write Tambogrande Flood Relief on the back and leave at Cathedral House for the attention of Philip Jimenez.

Many thanks for your support.