A Milestone for Creation Care

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The Creation Care course wrapped up with great enthusiasm on Sunday, November 10, at the Cristo Rey Presbyterian Church in Huanta, Ayacucho.  The event marked the end of a transformative learning journey where young members of the congregation dedicated themselves to the care of creation and environmental stewardship. Throughout the course, these young volunteers led impactful initiatives, including a river cleanup along the Chaquihuaycco River, demonstrating their commitment to protecting the natural resources in their community.

The closing ceremony was a joyful occasion, with the entire congregation coming together to celebrate the achievements of the course participants. It was a moment to recognize the hard work, passion, and dedication of the 14 young volunteers who completed the program. During the ceremony, each of them was awarded a certificate, honoring their contributions to environmental conservation and their active participation in the church’s ecological initiatives.

Ramón Casana, Executive Director of A Rocha Perú, and Grazia Rabasa, Communications Assistant, attended the event and delivered inspiring words to the participants. They expressed their gratitude and admiration for the volunteers’ commitment and encouraged the congregation to continue being a model of environmental leadership in the region. A Rocha Perú, known for its work in environmental education and conservation, has supported the course from the beginning, reinforcing the importance of environmental responsibility within faith communities.

The ceremony concluded with heartfelt words of gratitude and a joint prayer, bringing together the congregation in a moment of unity and reflection. The Creation Care course has not only raised awareness about environmental issues but has also instilled a sense of hope for a more sustainable future. It serves as a reminder of the power of local communities to make a difference in the world, one small action at a time.

Nuturing Life in Ayacucho

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By Grazia Rabasa

A Rocha Peru, in collaboration with the Cristo Rey Church in Huanta, launched the Kawsay (life) mini-project in April of this year. Its goal is to transform the community of Huanta into a model of sustainability and environmental care. The miniproject focuses on the beautification of green areas, the cleaning of the Castro Pampa river and, this year, the implementation of a nursery was designed as a possible ecological enterprise for the production of seedlings for local green areas. The Kawsay project begins with the exterior of the Huanta Cristo Rey church, and is being implemented in phases to ensure effective progress and necessary adaptations. It also aims to inspire other churches and communities to follow suit, promoting sustainability and care for creation.

Pastor Abel Sánchez, a key figure in this project, stresses that caring for the environment is an integral part of spiritual growth and reflects God’s love for all creation. Pastor Abel’s trajectory, from his studies in communications at the Universidad Nacional San Cristobal de Huamanga to his theological training at the Evangelical Seminary of Lima, demonstrates the power of faith-driven initiatives. His leadership in youth ministry and his collaboration with A Rocha Peru have been instrumental in shaping the Green Church project, which integrates environmental awareness into the Christian faith.

The solid management team, formed by Pastor Abel, Alex Ramos, Rosario Curo, William Montañez and Ramón Casana, and 13 other volunteers who selflessly support the miniproject, guarantees its perfect execution. Their dedication and practical commitment transform abstract theological concepts into tangible actions, promoting environmental stewardship as a divine responsibility.
In conclusion, the Kawsay miniproject in Huanta, Ayacucho, exemplifies the harmonious blend of faith and environmental stewardship. By cultivating gardens, restoring rivers and promoting sustainable agriculture, they create a legacy of ecological awareness rooted in Christian values, demonstrating that faith can drive meaningful change.

Caring for Creation Across Peru

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By Grazia Rabasa

A Rocha Peru continues to spread awareness of the importance of conservation and preservation of God’s Creation in collaboration with the Ministry Training Center of the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church in Peru (IEPRP).  Pastor Camilo Díaz delivered a Creation Care Course virtually over three months from August last year. The Stewardship of Creation Course represents a significant step in our mission to promote the integrity of creation and the well-being of all life forms in Peru.

During the Creation Care Course, twelve church leaders and pastors from across the country delved into a profound reflection on their role as responsible stewards of God’s creation.   Participants had the opportunity to explore topics such as the intersection between faith and science, the importance of environmental care from a biblical perspective, and the active role that religious communities can play in protecting God’s creation.  The participants are committed to carry out environmental initiatives in their communities.

One of the highlights of the course was its national reach. Leaders and pastors from different regions of the country joined this initiative, thus consolidating a national network of change agents committed to environmental care.   Also, visits were made to churches in towns such as Huanta and Huamanga in Ayacucho. These visits revealed a high potential for extending the activities of the Green Church Project in these areas, demonstrating the impact and relevance of the work done so far.

A Rocha Peru remains committed to promoting environmental care through educational and practical initiatives. With the support of leaders and pastors from churches nationwide, as well as the general community, we will continue to move towards a more sustainable future, mindful of the importance of stewardship of creation.  We continue to work together to preserve and protect the most precious gift we have received: our planet Earth.

The Women of Sarita Colonia

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Watering the plants at Sarita Colonia  (G.Valdivia, June 2023)

The Iglesia Verde (Green Church) project moved to Lima at the beginning of this year and has been working for the last six months in the outskirts of the Lima district with some beneficiaries from the Club de Madres Sarita Colonia (Sarita Colonia Mothers’ Club). Through engaging workshops, seminars, and educational campaigns led by Grecia Valdivia, our project officer, the project has shared valuable insights on the biblical mandate for environmental stewardship.  The Club de Madres Sarita Colonia, located in the Sarita Colonia neighbourhood in downtown Lima, is home to eight marvelous women. The women were initially skeptical about the project but soon became very warm and receptive. The project has encouraged active involvement with the women showing outstanding effort and commitment.

In collaboration with A Rocha Peru, the women of Sarita Colonia have founded a community kitchen, which provides lunch meals at social prices. In addition, they established an organic garden, planting seeds and growing vegetables that they use to prepare meals in their kitchen. Meanwhile, they have learned techniques such as composting, water conservation, and gardening, which the women can apply in their households. This newfound knowledge empowers them to be eco-conscious decision-makers and role models within their families and the broader community. By utilizing their influence to promote sustainability practices, we have had a larger reach than expected.  Unfortunately, the environmental education activities with Club de Madres Sarita Colonia have concluded. The Iglesia Verde Project will continue to spread awareness of the importance of conservation and the preservation of God’s Creation within other communities.

Iglesia Verde project moves to Lima!

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The Iglesia Verde project moved to Lima this year and will be working in the outskirts of the Lima district.  A Rocha Peru’s project is partnering with GZB and the Iglesia Betel de Lima (Betel church of Lima), a Presbyterian church led by Pastor Elmer Laura Quiñones.  Grecia Valdivia is coordinating the activities as the new Project Officer.  Aligned with the Creation Care Program, it aims to spread awareness and sensitize pastors, leaders, community, and church members on the importance of conservation and preservation of God’s Creation.  The project will be working directly with approximately 80 beneficiaries.  This includes church members, the Red de Jóvenes Presbyterians del Perú (Presbyterian Youth Network of Peru), and the Club de Madres Sarita Colonia (Sarita Colonia Mothers’ Club).  The project will conduct in-person workshops on composting, home plant care, and recycling. For the youth network, the project will run a virtual course about the environmental challenges of our time, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. In addition, the course will teach the importance of ecosystem conservation and restoration and how we can work together to protect the environment and improve the quality of life in our communities.

A new garden of joy in Chiclayo

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Our Inglesa Verde project continues to grow in 2022 with a second mini-project implemented in the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church in Peru (IEPRP) called Fuente de Vida in Chiclayo.  The Jardín de Alegría mini-project was implemented with the collaboration of Pastor Mateo Galuk, and members of the church, such as sisters; Hanna, Rosario, Soledad, Yaqueline, Cheila, and Julifer.  Workshops were held to develop the mini-project with the children of the neighborhood and the church.  Workshops were also conducted in Los Jardines de Santa Rosa and Los Niños de Jesús institutions educating students about the problems they have in the locality.  Topics for the workshops included water care, composting, and recycling.   Additionally, there were practical activities such as planting geraniums, cleaning and weeding the gardens, putting up a fence and painting a mural that motivates the community to take care of creation.

Closure activity for the Jardín de Alegría mini-project (Image: A. Regalado, June 2022)

Three clean-up campaigns were also carried out with the participation of members of the church and the neighborhood community in the gardens of Santa Rosa and the surrounding area.  Also, at the end of June, the Jardín de Alegría mini-project had a closing party in which diplomas were given in recognition of the participation and commitment of the children in the development of the mini-project.   It was a great success!