July 9 & 10, 2017
Our first experience at a Don Bosco church was in Ticclos. After such a great experience there we were happy to see one in Cajamarca. The young lady who greeted us left such a lasting impression on us.
Amanda writes: What are Don Bosco churches? About 650 artisans are working across Peru for the Don Bosco Cooperative. The artisans learn their craft in a free, five-year boarding school started in the Peruvian Andes in 1979 by Italian Salesian Father Ugo De Censi. It’s part of the Operation Mato Grosso, an Italian nongovernmental organization that works to eradicate poverty in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia.
The maturity and confidence exuded by Anna was so impressive and unprecedented for a girl of 16.
Andrew and I arrived at the church and were greeted by Anna. When I first met her I would put her in her twenties. I would later learn that she was only 16 years old. Anna was running the church and compound including volunteers and students by herself while her parents were visiting churches in Italy. Her mother is Peruvian and her father is originally from Italy. Unlike other Don Bosco churches, her father has only been running this church for 2 years. The other Don Bosco churches had Fathers leading the organization for 20+ years. In spite of her parents being out the Country, her confidence and trust was in full force. She didn’t have any problem welcoming two complete strangers who speak a different language from another Country into her complex. She provided us with a private room, showed us where the washrooms and showers were and then had to run off to set up activities for kids.
Later on our first night she invited us for dinner that she had prepared. She doesn’t eat dinner so she made the meal totally for us. She sat with us and drank tea while we chatted and ate our meal. We called it an early night as she had to prepare for service the next morning. While her Dad is away, she was leading the congregation at the church and delivering service for the community. Amazing! 16 years old and leading a service for a city.
We ended up staying a few days during which time we shared more meals. We also offered to help out around the complex and she not only graciously accepted, she was great with giving instructions. Even with adults sometimes when you offer to help they don’t really know what to get you to do. Our new Canadian friend Charles who we met helped her move some dirt in the gardens, Andrew was tasked with sweeping up the grounds and I got to clean windows in the classrooms. It was nice to help out. During our time together we learned more about her upbringing. At age 13 she was sent to a different much larger City for school specializing with the church and religion. We asked about what was hardest about being away and she told us about the format of the schooling. Classes in the morning and the later afternoon/evening consisted of 5 hours of a type of meditation where you cannot speak … at all. She said that was the hardest part. Meditating in silence for 5 consecutive hours daily. I can’t even fathom that as an adult let alone as a young teenager. All of her upbringing and independence would explain her confidence and manners and ability to get stuff done.
After we left I just couldn’t stop thinking about this young lady. She was so accommodating and welcoming and I can only imagine how proud her parents are. I think of my 15 year old niece and just think how lucky she is to still have her childhood and to not be saddled with so much responsibility. Having said that I do think it’s simply a case of different culture, religion and upbringing. For Anna it is all she knows and I’m sure her future will be bright. She certainly has left a lasting impression on us.