Peru Projects: Comedores  
  Community Kitchens in Aviacion, Mocupe and Zaña  
 

In the small northern rural communities of Aviacion, Mocupe and Zaña Heart-Links supports the operation of three comedores (community kitchens).

Mothers in the three communities provide nutritious midday meals for children at risk and elderly indigents. These meals are critically important for 40% of children in the community are malnourished and the rest barely reach normal nutrition levels. In 2009 a roster of 50 mothers provided daily meals for 125 children and 25 indigents, that’s nearly 40,000 meals a year.

All of the mothers are involved in decision-making and determining the future of the comedores. With the guidance

aviacion comedor  
  and encouragement of community worker, Violeta Nauca, the women are acquiring leadership and organizational skills and they are learning about the health and nutritional needs of their child. The skills and self-confidence the women are gaining through their work in the comedores is profoundly affecting the roles they play in the life of their families and their communities.  
  shopping Background to the Comedores.
The comedores began in the Zaña Valley as a response to the devastation caused by El Niño in 1983.  The Sisters of St. Joseph assisted the women of the families who used the comedores. Their intention was to encourage a team of empowered mothers to run each comedor. In 1993 Caritas, an international Catholic NGO, stopped funding food purchases for the comedores but funding was continued through donations from supporters in the Diocese of London and friends of the Sisters. When the Sisters left Peru, Canadians – especially those in Southwest Ontario – continued donating 		 
 

towards community development activities in the Zaña Valley using Heart-Links as the vehicle for their generosity.

 
  group inside
group outside
  
 
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