General Assembly of Partners, Huanta

The 2007 General Assembly was held January 17-18, in the city of Huanta – Ayacucho. We continued in our tradition of choosing the local headquarters of a partner organization, this time it was Radio Amauta’s turn.

We congratulate the organizers for its success. Because this year’s attendants included different levels of the Network: representatives from the partner organizations, a delegation from the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery of Saint Louis, and the Young Adult Volunteers, we had the opportunity to strengthen our solidarity. These days provided a space for mutual learning and evaluation of our institutional objectives and our work as a network of social organizations.

In accordance to the recommendations of the participants, our Annual Operating Plan for 2007 was approved. A few highlights include:
• Fortifying the Network with long-term planning
• Supporting projects that promote the impacts of alternative development for generations
• Renewal of the Executive Counsel that will govern for a two year period, starting January 2007.

In this Issue:

General Assembly of Partners, Huanta
Light Begins with One
Making a Direct Impact Against Poverty

Check out New 2007 Fair Trade Products:

http://fairtradeperu.com/

Link to La Oroya Web Site:
www.todosobrelaoroya.org

Jorge Travezaño-Bridge of Hope and Bob Thornberry-Partners for Just Trade

Swearing in of the 2007-2009 Executive Counsel

2007-2009 Executive Counsel

President: Abdías Echevarría Laureano of Fraternidad Cristiana Vida

Vice-president: Cecilia Ramírez Rivas of CEDEMUNEP

Program Coordinator, Human Rights: Angélica Betalilluz Chirinos of ATIYPAQ

Program Coordinator, Environment: Eler Salazar Bravo of CEDEPAS

Program Coordinator, Local Development: Luís Gálvez León of CENCA

-Conrado Olivera, Network Director, translated by Kori Phillips

I’m writing this after having just finished our first week-long camp with adolescents who are a part of Paz y Esperanza’s sexual abuse rehabilitation program. I feel like words can’t express what a tremendously powerful experience it was for all of us involved. Seven adolescent girls and one adolescent boy participated in four days of group and individual counseling, intense devotionals along the themes of accepting God’s immense love for us, and activities that fortified relationships among us. Pain and tears and joy and healing were shared by all.
To close the last night, we had a bon fire, and roasted marshmallows, sang songs, played games, and the kids exchanged cards they had made for one another throughout the week. It was a beautiful thing to see laughing, smiling faces in the light of the campfire, knowing that so much had happened in each heart throughout the week. At the end of our time together, we passed out candles to each person present, and asked everyone to tell about what the camp had been for them. When one person had finished what they wanted to say, they passed the flame onto the next person, so that by the end, we all shared the light that had begun with one person at the beginning. Many of us shared through tears what the week had meant to us. The symbolism of this event was summed up beautifully by what my friend and fellow counselor, Mariela had to say when it was her turn to talk, “We truly share one another’s pain. Although, tomorrow we will go our separate ways, we are not going alone. We will remain united, and continue moving forward.”
Throughout the week this group became very dear to me. I laughed and cried with them, was inspired by their courage, learned so much from the selflessness care demonstrated by my co-workers from Paz y Esperanza, and marveled at God’s ability to deliver the healing for which a wounded heart longs. My host sister, Carla said to me as we waved good bye to the group this morning, if this was just the first camp, what are the next seven going to be like? Indeed there are seven more camps like this one to be done, the next one starting Monday. Please pray that we will stay energized as a team and that future camps will be as impactful as this one was.

-Emily Fletcher, Current Young Adult Volunteer

Artisans are taught basic design and business skills and given help in developing and selling high quality handicrafts locally and internationally. In the U.S., our non-profit Partners for Just Trade markets these unique and colorful Peruvian handicrafts and educates consumers, particularly on the meaning of fair and just trade. Each product has an interesting story about the artisans and how fair trade income is improving their lives.

Local congregations and non-profit organizations play a vital role in the successful sales of our Peruvian products. If your congregation or group would like to help the artisans, please order a Consignment Box of these unique and useful products for sale at an Alternative Giving Fair or Holiday Bazaar. Your “Peru Table” will be a popular and colorful gathering place for many customers.

Visit http://fairtradeperu.com/page6english.htm for ordering details. Order a Consignment Box and know that you’ll have some exciting and creative additions to your sale and that you’ll be Joining Hands with Peruvian families and giving employment to them. If you have questions, please write us at partnersforjusttrade@yahoo.com.

-Bob Thornberry,

President of Partners for Just Trade