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Economic and Social Development
in Northern Peru

Besides preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and guiding the spiritual development of people in Northern Peru, the Catholic Diocese of Chulucanas, where Augustinian Missionaries work, also gives attention to the physical needs of the people.

David J. Hougan, Director of the Office of Stewardship Development of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford, Illinois, describes below what he saw on a recent visit to Northern Peru. (Six priests from the Diocese of Rockford have served as missionaries in Peru. The Diocese continues to support the Church in the Diocese of Chulucanas with annual monetary donations and the Heart-to-Heart Project.)

The Church Helping People to Help Themselves

There is much poverty in Northern Peru. To address this, and as part of the Pastoral Plan of the Catholic Diocese of Chulucanas, the Church is deeply involved in advocating for the economic and social development of its people.

Besides preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and caring for spiritual needs, the Diocese has several programs that put the Gospel into practice by caring for material needs as well.

For example, the Sisters of Mercy in Chulucanas have organized an Animal Project. This project is helping families in two villages to recover from the devastation of El Niño, when they lost all their animals to flooding.

The Animal Project supplies animals, mostly goats, which women from 20 families in each of the two villages are able to buy on credit.

They repay the loan using the animals they raise, and then have a bit of economic security against the uncertainties which all families face.

The women learn good animal husbandry practices and get to display their products at a fair each year. It is a learning project for all and a marvelous example of helping people to some measure of financial independence.

The sisters also run a workshop where the women earn money while they make useful products. They produce beautiful hand-chrocheted T-shirts, blouses and purses. They sew table runners, place mats, napkins, eyeglass cases and priests' stoles.

And, of course, they need to sell the things they make. Groups like the Rockford Diocesan Council of Catholic Women help to sell items produced in the workshop. The money provides supplementary income for 45 families.

Learn More about the Augustinian Missions in Peru

• The Church at Work in Northern Peru

         » Making Much with Little
               Grassroots Pastoral Plan in the Catholic Diocese of Chulucanas, Peru

         » The Bishop Visits
               Pastoral visits in Peru are a time of special blessing

         » Pastoral Journeys in Pacaipampa
               Travelling to remote Peruvian mountain villages to bring Christ to the people

         » Augustinians Return to San José Obrero
               Friars resume ministry in Chulucanas parish after five-year absence

• Children of Peru

         » Children of Peru: The Working Child
               Peruvian children must work to help their family make ends meet

         » Children of Peru: The Child at School
               The life of a young student in the mountains of Peru

         » Heart to Heart Project
               Helping poor Peruvian children to remain in school