Peru – Solidarity in the midst of disaster: "Give me a hand, Peru"

24 March 2017

(ANS - Piura) - In the midst of a disaster of this magnitude, between death and desolation, there are also stories of solidarity and help given to people who have lost everything. The numbers affected by the disaster are rising every day. Today we can say that there are more deaths, more people missing, more homes destroyed, more isolated villages ... But today is the time to act on behalf of the poor who have lost everything. "Those were the fruit of 20 years’ work," says a poor man. "I lost the money I had saved for an eye operation” says an 80-year-old lady. “Now I have nothing. The flood has taken everything." For all these people the Don Bosco Foundation continues to work and manage relief efforts, with the motto: "Give me a hand, Peru."

Although the Salesian houses in Piura were also affected by the rains, the Salesians are trying to help the families who live close to them. "I saw many sick children, without food, without water; and went to give them the aid that had just arrived" said Fr Saúl David Quispe, SDB. "The poverty of the people was compounded by the misery brought by torrential rains that have flooded their poor homes and have left destruction and death". "The scourge of nature left hundreds of people without shelter and without basic services. However, the consequences could become even worse, because now they are exposed to the risks of diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika."

The Don Bosco Foundation in Peru has launched a solidarity campaign called "Give me a hand, Peru."   "The Salesians from different houses in Peru are collaborating to bring water, food, clothes and tents, because many people are in grave difficulty and in total poverty. Thanks for your help!" says Fr Raúl Acuña, Director of the Foundation.

In Piura the Salesians have several works: a school, oratories in different neighbourhoods, a parish and the Vocational Training Centre in the Bosconia area. "We went out to survey the damage suffered by so many people who attend our centres” says Fr Quispe, “and above all our children and young people who participate in the life of the Centre and the oratory. We saw the disaster that the rains caused. We are helping."

 

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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