Introduction - July 2008

The purpose of this blogspot is to show the increased emphasis on initiative at the local level in the development of The Shared Table Project here in Lima. Conferences and workshops aimed at self development and local responsibility are becoming more frequent. Currently we are directly supporting six Children's Kitchens, plus one indirectly. In the next six months, we will probably have two other Kitchens operating. With this increase, the families are conscious of their need to assume an ever more active role in the administration and monthly running of the Kitchens. This is a positive development, and is a consequence of the continued support and concern shown by our supporters in Australia.

The Parish Community Centre

With the help of the Diocese of Ballarat, the Columbans, and PFD Food Services PTY LTD Australia, we have been fortunate to be able to complete two stages of our Parish Community Centre. This Centre is the nucleus of our Parish Social Pastoral Work, and provides the service of our Parish Social Worker, Lucia Cuentas, who ia also overall coordinator of The Shared Table Project here in Lima. We wish to extend our gratitude to all our benefactors, and especially to those who generously continue to support The Shared Table.

The main meeting space of the Parish Community Centre - which also acts as the dining room for the Children's Kitchen.

Sr. Marg Malady, a Brown Joey and native of Gippsland, Victoria, assists at the monthly meeting of the Parish Social Outreach Team, which includes representatives of The Shared Table Project.

Some of the Parish Social Outreach Team as well as some representatives of the kitchens, gathering for the monthly meeting.

Inside the main entrance of the Community Centre.

The public entrance to the Community Centre from the Plaza of Motupe, advertising Lucy's social services, as well as legal aid, physiotherapy, psychology, the children's kitchen, and the library (which offers space and tuition for students after school hours.) A bit fortress looking from this angle unfortunately, because security is a major factor in this area. However, the entrance is much more welcoming.

Conference on Women's Rights and Access to Community Assistance

With continued development of The Shared Table Project, and thus increased contact with local women, we are focusing more and more on the issue of domestic violence and other women's issues. Recently the Parish hosted a conference directed by La Defensaría del Pueblo, an acknowledged civic rights group, which addressed a number of issues and promised follow up contact with representatives from our area.

Lucia Cuentas, the Parish Social Worker, welcomes participants to the Conference organised by the local Parish.

"Woman, live without Violence", the focus of the Conference.

One of the morning's presenters, a lawyer working with La Defensaría del Pueblo, addresses the group regarding legal protection of pregnant women.

A special participant accompanies his mother at the Conference.

About 80 women attended the conference. A follow up workshop has been organised to to provide selected women with the necessary skills to access the support services and also knowledge on how to support other women to access help.

Local Fundraising

With an increased number of Children's Kitchens, and the possibility of a couple more in the future, it has been decided that local fundraising is important for the continued operation of The Shared Table Project. The women of the Kitchens are responding enthusiastically to the challenge, and are happy to participate.

Cooking underway for the fundraiser at Cangallo. The actual cooking, when performed for quantities, is done outdoors for practical reasons.

The famous "pollada", deep fried chicken, potato and salad, a huge favorite amongst the locals, and a great money spinner for local fund raisers.

Preparing food in El Trebol (anticuchos - skewered ox heart). Fundraising has become an expectation within The Shared Table Project on the local level. In this way the parents assume an active role in supporting their Kitchens.

Carmen, the mother of Diego, makes sure he finishes his lunch. The mothers of the Children's Kitchens send a special word of thanks to our supporters in Australia.

The Industrial Oven and Baking Workshop

Thanks to a generous donation from the Terang branch of the Knights of the Southern Cross, we were recently able to purchase a small industrial oven. This oven will be used in a workshop for adolescent and single mothers to help supplement their weekly incomes. Adolescent pregnancies are frequent in our area, with little support offered outside the immediate family. Women with young families who find themselves abandoned are a common feature of this environment also. With the help of Señora María who has offered cooking hints to the mothers of our Kitchens for some time, we hope to develop and sustain this Baking Workshop over the next six months.

Señora María presents one of her cooking classes in the Kitchen of Montenegro.

Empanadas - the Peruvian equivalent of pasties, ready for the oven. These sorts of pastries, as well as cakes and biscuits will be the produce sold through the workshop. There is always a good local market for such.

Marion Guthrie and Maria at work making tamales, another traditional Peruvian dish. The corn is crushed and made into a thick paste, then wrapped in corn leaves. Hot chili may be added, plus a small portion of chicken and an olive embedded within the crushed corn. This is a favorite breakfast dish.

Tamales ready to be baked

Final loading of the oven. Marion took advantage of the inaugural bake to throw in a batch of Australian style biscuits.

A "pachamanca" cooks slowly away while the baking is done. Traditionally cooked outside and under the earth, the pachamanca consists of meats and vegetables cooked slowly together on a bed of coriander - a traditional favorite among those of the provinces of Peru. Señora María had prepared this treat to share with those who were present at the inauguration of the oven.

The Biohuerto (Vegetable Garden) Cangallo

We are underway with our winter crops of cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, corn and broad beans. Tomatoes grow all year round, so no shortage there. Recently we had a visit from Jerram Wurlod (nephew of Fr. Michael) and his friend J, plus John O'Shannessey (grandson of Maureen and Leo O'Connor, Terang) who helped for a couple of mornings preparing and planting the soil.

Luke lends a hand pulling out a few weeds around a sprouting crop of coriander (a herb which he is in fact not overly fond of.)

Part of the herb patch in the veggie garden. There is an unending list of recipes for herbal teas and drinks which are served up at every meal. Very healthy, and very popular.

Good signs in the cabbage patch!

Cabbage seedlings underway. At the time of publishing this post, the seedlings are double the size and growing well.

Work in progress - Jerram Wurlod and his friend J (that is her full name by the way) work happily preparing a bed for broccoli.

Jerram and J enjoy lunch at the Kitchen of Cangallo after assisting with preparing and planting the soil up in the veggie patch.

THANKS!!
Oscar, who spends his free time selling lollies to passing motorists on the Avenida Tacna in the city of Lima, has become a frequent visitor and helper in our veggie garden at Cangallo. Like many children in this part of Lima, Oscar's mother raises her 4 children solo, and whilst she agrees that Oscar should spend more time at school, his small income from street sales is a precious weekly bonus for the family. The family's contact with the Children's Kitchen enables us to monitor Oscar's family situation, as we do for many of our families.

$1.00 a week takes the strain off this family, and at least Oscar agrees that his schooling is important. Our continued contact with him and children like him through The Shared Table will hopefully assist in keeping his future a little brighter.