Perspectives

Boys at the Casa Girasoles Ica enjoying chocolates they made as a group activity.

Sometimes it just takes a little perspective.

A few weeks back, in response to a pressing need we were witnessing in the older boys who graduated from the Casa Girasoles Program, and were struggling in the pandemic, we started the Tigre Program. The program works with young men transitioning from adolescence and early adulthood into a new phase of their life. Sometimes this is a transition from prison, sometimes it is a transition from a life filled with poor decisions – for most it is a challenging time in their life. One of the young men in the program asked if we could help him connect with books. He asked for the classics. He wanted, more than anything else, to learn and grow.

Of course we responded immediately. We contacted a priest who runs a parish not far from where we’re renting a place for the Tigre. The priest opened his library to the young man. In spite all of the challenges of the pandemic and in the face of a massive life change – he wants to read the classics. What a great lesson in perspective.

Last night I received a call from Father Alex. He was calling to talk about our joint work in Alto Cayma in Arequipa. He was talking about the work and the efforts when he suddenly stopped and stated – “oh but this is nothing. A few days ago the water bureau broke a main and no one in the area has had water.” Oh my goodness, in the face of a pandemic that desperately requires fastidious hygiene – the water goes off. Yikes. Unfazed, Father Alex went on to say the water “challenge” was really nothing – as it would soon be back. Wow – talk about perspective.

There are so many challenges. Things are really hard everywhere. A little perspective always seems to make things a bit more manageable  A bit more possible.

We’re in this together. We’re going to be stronger and better. A little perspective will help along the way.

​Thanks for all your continued support.