THE CHILDREN'S KITCHENS

The Children's Kitchens continue to be not only centres where children receive a healthy and wholesome meal each day, but also places where families receive support and encouragement within the difficult circumstances that surround them. The Parish, through the efforts of Lucia (the parish Social Worker) and the suppport of the Josephite Sisters, continues to be involved in these communal initiatives. Many of the elderly who find themselves semi abandoned also benefit from the Kitchens. Their families have brought them down from the Andes (some only speak Quechuen, not Spanish) to be with them, but as they have to leave home early each day to work in the city, their elderly are left at home to fend for themselves. The Kitchens offer them company and support, as well as much needed nutrition. Thanks to our supporters, The Shared Table not only offers practical and necessary support to so many, it also allows the Church to be seen as witnessing to the basic call of the Gospel: to eleviate hunger, to quench thirst, to clothe the naked, and to be present to those imprisoned by social injustice, fear, ignorance and poverty.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT & FORMATION

Lucia Cuentas, the Parish Social Worker, continues to organise a series of workshops for women on a wide range of topics. Health and hygiene, self esteem, communication and conflict resolution are among the various themes that are presented. Many of these women have had only a very basic education. Some cannot read or write. A significant number are victims of domestic violence. These workshops are about human dignity, mutual support and solidarity, and have been a means through which many women have been able to grow in confidence.

THE BAKING WORKSHOP

The Baking Workshop continues to thrive, with more and more mother, young and old, participating weekly. The Baking Workshop receives minimal assistance from the The Shared Table, but is a project that was born out the assistance through The Shared Table and the generosity of the Knights of the Southern Cross, Terang, who made the first donation towards its establishment. The Baking Workshop has given many women, especially young, single mothers, the chance to develop skills in baking and also to generate extra income to support their families. The Workshop is essentially self supporting.

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THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

The Vegetable Garden (Biohuerto) continues to produce and helps to sustain each of the Children's Kitchens. Much of the work is done by the women of Cangallo, and overseen by Senora Trinidad.

Parts of the Central Market of Lima has been recently closed down, so many of the small businesses have relocated in Jicamarca. In one sense this has provided new opportunities for the people of the Valley, but it also means another huge influx of people into an area whose infrastructure is already inadequate in its response to the earlier migration of people. Like so many areas of Lima, the response of local government will never keep up with such developments, and people will continue to live in sub human conditions well into the future.

Thank you....

During our Advent Season for 2012, I write to express our deep gartitude to all who continue to support the projects associated with The Shared Table. Those who support us on a regular basis, and those whose once off donations have served to help us too. I also acknowledge the dedication of those people who act as Contacts for the various groups that donate each year. This effort, and the generosity that accompanies it, have served to enable The Shared Table to continue affecting so many lives, especially the lives of children. We are still supporting seven kitchens, which now include the Comedor Miguelito in Nuevo Amanecer. The Women's Baking Workshop continues to be largely self supporting, and the Vegetable Garden provides produce for the Kitchens. Lucia Cuentas is instrumental in the success of the projects, dedicating much time to the personal and social development of the many women involved in the projects through the organisation of ongoing workshops to do with health and hygeine, as well as skills in handy crafts. Some of our donations are still directed towards the education of children through the Bibliotecas (after school libraries where the children are tutored by senior secondary and tertiary students committed to the Parish Community.) As we continue to journey through this Year of Grace, it is good for us to acknowledge that the grace of God so often flows through the hearts and efforts of those willing to share their good fortune with others. I believe that The Shared Table has been a powerful experience of God's grace at work, and as we thank Him for all that we have received during this year, we ask His continued blessing upon those who benefit from our humble getures of kindness. May God bless all our supporters with a joyful and blessed Christmas, and may 2013 continue to invite us to walk where God's grace leads us. Michael McKinnon 29th November 2012