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Profiles of our lay missionaries

Brigid MacCarthy

After completing the Viatores Christi preparation programme, Brigid, from Cork took up an assignment as an administrator with Project Peru in Zapallal, Lima, Peru.

Project Peru is a refuge centre which supports

and cares for street children and for other children who have little or no family support.

It is run by a locally based committee. There are 28 children resident in the home, but others who live outside of the refuge receive some help. Those living at the refuge range in age from 6-16 years and are looked after by house parents.

Brigid works on site and takes care of the day to day running of the refuge. Her role involves general administration duties, organising timetables, activities and outings, writing policies and reports, meeting parents and teachers, employing part-time workers, developing staff training, paying bills and teaching the children when time allows.

She lives with Franciscan sisters who are also on the governing committee of the refuge. “My work is a bit broader than I had anticipated. In a sense I am creating my own job description.

The major challenges initially were establishing good working habits, gaining trust and putting policies n place. I also became aware of the past history of the project - mismanagement of funds and aid - and the need to deal with applicant children and families fairly.

Through living with the Franciscans I have been introduced to a lot of people locally. I also have friends in the community who are a great source of support mostly through music groups and sharing language and computer skills.

I appreciate very much the time I spent with VC to orientate myself to work in a third world context. It enabled me to consider possibilities in a way I realise other volunteers I’ve met, can not.

Thanks to Viatores Christi for the preparation that enabled me to come here, the advice and the support.”

      

                

 

Peru - Country Profile