Peru Schools Appeal

December 2009

Dear Colleague,

Appeal for Peruvian Schools in Crisis

As a Diocese we are very committed to our brothers and sisters in Christ in our link Diocese of Peru. Now more than at any other time the Diocese needs our prayers and financial help as it faces an acute crisis. This letter comes to ask whether you might be willing to arrange for a collection for its schools and education programmes which serve the poorest of the country’s children and which are facing the threat of closure. 

The Diocese has worked hard to provide education with excellence for children in marginalised areas. It is committed to integrating schools and education programmes into the life and ministry of the churches and to linking educational programmes with social outreach and pastoral work as well as offering employment to committed teachers. This is all now under threat.

The global economic situation and the drop in overseas support have left the diocese in financial crisis; the diocese has also had to divert funds to the crisis in Juliaca where the terrible winter has claimed many lives. Professor Carmen Sanchez, the Headteacher of the San Mateo School in Lima, is currently cooking and selling food on the streets at weekends in order to supplement the school income – to save her colleagues and her children who, without school, have very few prospects.

A large proportion of the diocesan budget goes to the schools which, although they generate some income, do not raise sufficient funds to cover their running costs. At the present time, there is a deficit of nearly £35,000 in the schools’ budget and there appears to be no alternative but to close the schools at the end of 2009 if the diocese is to survive this crisis.  Margaret Rutter visited all four schools in September 2009 and saw, at first hand, the desperation of the teachers to keep the schools open for the good of the whole community.

In 2 Corinthians 8 we are reminded of the Macedonians’ generosity. They gave freely, joyfully and willingly despite their own poverty and severe ordeal, giving beyond their means. This could be a challenge to us as our brothers and sisters in our companion link suffer and look to us for help.   Some churches and schools have offered their collection money from Christingle services and school performances which, if repeated across the diocese, could make a huge contribution to this appeal.

If you would like to make a donation, please send a cheque, made payable to ‘WDBF Ltd’ to Margaret Rutter, The Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester WR1 2JE.  If you are a UK tax payer and would like to make your donation using Gift Aid, the attached form should be completed and returned with your cheque.

With my thanks and very good wishes,

Yours,

Dr John Inge