Focusing On Education

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT EDUCATION is one of the ways through which a nation can set the foundations to its integral development. With this focus on mind some people did great efforts to make possible the access to education for children and teenagers living in a poor neighborhood called "Primero de Mayo" and its surrounding poor ones in Nuevo Chimbote - a city located Chimbote north and next to it. This project starts in the beginning of 2005 when two Christian people br. Juan Tapia Ramírez and sr. Doris Bardales Chavez (who passed away in 2007) decided to found "Cristo Redentor" Private Educational Institution.

The school didn't have its own land at first so they rented rooms at Methodist Church located in L-24 Independencia street, Villa María, Nuevo Chimbote. The opening of the school took place in this place in 2005. Classes started in March that year with 136 students. Initial level (2 clms) and primary level (5 clms) In 2006, the opening of the school year was held with 175 students. Initial level (2 clms) and primary level (6 clms) The same year the first class graduates from elementary level. Note: clms=classrooms.

Well, the school could no longer rent all rooms of the church for the next year 2007 so, situation was uncertain since the school had no its own land and there was not even money to buy one. But after many prayers by br. Juan and sr. Doris, God heard them and at the end of 2006 Christian sisters and brothers (even non-Christian people) from Canada, the United States and Spain helped this initiative and so it was possible to buy a land for the school in "Primero de Mayo" neighborhood. Thus, on January 15th, 2007 it was started the construction of the first floor of the school (including four classrooms made of plywood in the schoolyard) which finished March 25th.

In 2007, the opening of the school year was held with 151 students. Initial level (3 clms still at Methodist Church of Villa María) and primary level (6 clms at the land of the school at "Primero de Mayo.") In 2008, thanks to the support of Christian and non-christian people once again it was possible to finish the construction of the second floor of the school and also to buy another land at the same block exclusively for Initial level. So, 2008 school year opening was held with 170 students. Initial level in its own land (3 clms) and elementary level (6 clms.)

At the beginning of 2009 all these good people (benefactors or donors), willing to keep supporting freely this educational project at school, made possible construction of the third floor of the school. Thus, the 2009 school year opening was held with 168 students. Initial level (3 clms), elementary level (6 clms) and Highschool level (1 clms) and we still keep working there for students. I, Pablo Beltrán, have the change of working at this "Cristo Redentor" school as an English teacher.

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Life Lessons

ON THIS POST I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL about great lessons that life gives us through exceptional human beings and in this particular case I will focus in a person's life that, even though perhaps for many she is at a disadvantage however demostrates us there is no disadvantages or limiting factors when anybody has steadfastness, perseverance and passion to reach his/her life goals despite circumstances.

Her name is Elizabeth Becerra Salas and she was born in a poor neighborhood as many in Chimbote - Perú called "Florida Alta" in September, 1981. She is 28 years old and her dad is Mr. Francisco Becerra and her mom is Mrs. Mercedes Salas. Her "problem" is catalogued as cerebral palsy. Because of this she had to study at a school for disabled people here in Chimbote called "Joy and Faith" school (colegio "Fe y Alegría"). She was a good student.

Presently she does not live in her parents' house but at a shelter (quinta) called Nativity (Natividad) a place that was gotten by father Jack Davis (Juan Davis) and donated by himself for disabled people just like her. This shelter is located in a neighborhood very near father Jack's parish - among many poor ones. The disabled living there, just like Elizabeth, receive care, food, protection, etc and have a place to connect to people with the same hopes and dreams.

Even though she is suffering from this cerebral palsy yet she is a writer and as such in 1989 wrote and published a book called "Poemario" ("Poetry Collection"), in 2002 another book called "Dios Mío Dame Fuerzas Para Seguir Viviendo" ("My God, Give Me Strength To Keep Living")and now she has written her third book entitled "Lecciones de Vida" ("Life Lessons") and on it she shares about experiences and dreams that only a person from her position has had.

Also she shares her activities by giving talks about self-esteem headed to young people who are caught in the vice of drugs and alcohol.

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Testifying in Communities !!

ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th, 2009 Christian believers of Chimbote came together in the morning at a square of this city called "Plaza 28 de Julio" (July 28th square) which is located next to the sea (Pacific Ocean) and four blocks away from main square. There was a reason for them to attend this public meeting and it was that Chimbote Pastors Association (an entity that includes all pastors of evangelical churches of Chimbote) invited believers to testify and celebrate publicly The Bible's Day by proclaiming it as The Word of God in community.

So, as an answer to this invitation local congregations and denominations got together as one with no differences including children, young people, adult people, leaders and pastors who together showed the community, through several ways, that here in Chimbote there is a people that, even under different denominations, yet is bonded strongly by a common faith and has the Bible as the only Inspired Word of God and as authority that guides our lives.

Here is some churches participating: Methodist, Pentecostal, Baptist, Church of God of Prophecy, Assemblies of God, Christian and Missionary Church, etc even Catholic Church. Also christians schools and ministries. There were some members of Methodist Church of Brazil. The marching band of a christian school was pasticipating as well as a folk music band.

It was a great day of joy where there were song, dance, parade, Word of God, atc and an special opportunity to meet believers of other denominations. It was seen balloons, banners, mottos, pictures, Bible verses, cars with Bible motives and among cheers, shouts, aclamations, claps, etc of the assistants we honored the Bible.

At the same time there was another meeting celebrating The Bible's Day as well at main square in Nuevo Chimbote which is a city located near Chimbote and even catholic community, including their leaders, the faithful, catholic schools and their marching bands, etc, together with other christian congregations and denominations were participating as well there.

We thank God for this great opportunity He gaves us all to publicly testify in communities about His Word: The Bible.

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Carrying Out Tree Planting Project

SINCE A FEW WEEKS AGO, I was sharing with you about a Tree Planting Project which was designed by scholarships holders of CHOI's Educational Programs. As you know the place chosen to implement this project was the "Camino Real" avenue located among several poor neighborhoods here in Chimbote such as: Ramal Playa, 10 de Setiembre, Corazón de Jesús, Santa Irene, Fraternidad, San Miguel, Antenor Orrego, and Alto Perú.

Here in Perú we have a saying: "Unity makes strength" and considering that I must say that this projec was the opportunity to put together some local entities, students, neighbors, etc. in order to implement it. On this context it is noteworthy that the Selective Collection Project of Solid Waste called "CHIMBOTE HEALTHY PORT" made an alliance with the program of CHOI "DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS" to plant 100 trees on "Camino Real" avenue through this planting project.

This project is considered in the annual workplan for community projects that scholarship holders have to carry out for the benefit of their communities in return for scholarships they receive. "Chimbote Healthy Port" project also promotes environmental preservation. So, the 6th of September 2009 all the scholarship holder students together with leaders of CHOI's educational programs, Municipality workers, residents, leaders of other projects, police, and volunteers gathered on "Camino Real" avenue to carry this project out.

From the morning they were planting trees along the avenue. Just to take it into account, scholarship holders, after a previous hard work of awareness raising to the neighbors on environmental care, fulfilled their commitment of tree planting and consequently of environment care, so in coordination with neighbors as well finished the first phase of this tree planting project which will continue, in its next phase, by monitoring the growth of these plants in order to they fulfill their mission of providing oxygen, shade, and being lungs of society as well as beautifying community.

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Institutions Together for Community

IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING my recent posts, you have realized that I have shared on a trees planting project on "Camino Real" avenue here in Chimbote. Well, several activities about were performed by students beneficiaries of the Educational Programs of CHOI, which are part of their responsabilities regarding their communities. It means that they must perform community projects in favour of neighborhoods less advantaged using knowledges acquired at their higher study centers.

It is a good combination of talent and support in behalf of students, CHOI and Chimbote Rotary Club. This is not only a collaborative effort of them but also of leaders of the city since the mayoress in behalf of PROVINCIAL MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA* collaborated as well with this planting project sending public cleaning workers and machinery to clean up the avenue just a few days before planting.

It is appropriate to highlight the union of residents, students, CHOI non-profit, Chimbote Rotary Club, and a local institution (Provincial Municipality of Santa) to perform this Trees Planting Project.

* SANTA is also the name of the Province that Chimbote belongs to.

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More Activities Before Planting

WHAT IS KNOWN BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS POSTS, is that around 35 students of higher educational institutions such as universities and technical schools (who are beneficiaries of the educational programs of CHOI) got involved in trees planting project on an avenue located among poor neighborhoods in Chimbote city. They not only receive support from Rotarians Clubs (like Rotary Club of Chanhassen-Minnesota-USA) for them to study a profesional career but that in compensation must design, implement and participate in social projects that benefit community that they belong to.

That's why they were involven in activities of this planting project. Now, they were all participating in the exhausting task of preparing fertilizer to fertilize the soil that will be used to plant. Also, they were selecting special soil for planting which was provided by Chimbote Rotary. It was possible to get a place where they could do this activity. If some of them could not come this place to accomplish his/her task the appointed day they could do it any day of the week.

After students finished to prepare fertilizer and soil, took these materials from the place they were working to the holes on "Camino real" avenue (that they have done previously) using wheelbarrows and tricycles. So, every hole was prepared conveniently for the big day of planting. This way they were accomplishing another project activity. Now, I'd like to share with all of you some pictures about this new activity students were doing.

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Getting ready to Catch Fishes

GOING TO THE NORTH OF CHIMBOTE ALONG PANAMERICANA NORTE HIGHWAY and around fifteen minutes away from downtown, you will find a place called Santa district which is a valley surrounded by many mountains. Santa district is divided in two parts: The first one is the rural zone where residents cultivate rice, corn, sweetpotato, yucca, beans, cotton, vegetables, etc The second one is a small town. These places are located both sides of Panamericana norte highway. Travelers can enjoy seeing beautiful landscapes around as they are traveling.

But, I want you to know that, in Santa district, also there is a place called Puerto Santa (Santa Port) located about twenty minutes away from downtown of Santa district. The car (or mototaxi) leaves the panamericana norte highway and goes perpendicularly to it toward the Pacific Ocean. After a while it is gotten the place: "Puerto Santa." It is a beautiful and quiet small port with not many families living around. There are many little boats on the sea shore whose owners use them to go into the sea to catch fishes but some other owners rent their boats. The main economic activity here is fishing.

Well, a married couple named Mr. Alonso and Mrs. Azucena, living in Santa district, sent to build a boat made of wood some time ago. Now the boat is finished and my brothers and me were invited by the owners for this great day when the boat is gonna be sent to the see for the very first time. The carpenter ended the last details of the boat as well as the painter. The pastor Carlos Beltrán (my brother) prayed to God for the boat. It is expected for fishermen to be able to catch several kind of fishes such as: Anchovy, mackerel, hake, silverside, etc.

Presently, fishes that fishermen catch are taken to market of Chimbote where are sold wholesale. This activity generates job posts for fishermen and their families, sellers at markets, drivers, ice plants, etc.

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