Lima, Peru—In the past few years Ambassadors for Peace have dedicated their time to serving those in need during the Christmas season, and this year was no exception. Many of them were working like this before they met the UPF, but since becoming Ambassadors for Peace their work has strengthened and grown as they work together in many of the poorer districts of Lima.
The basic program for each event is firstly to gather donations from contacts, businesses and other institutions. Then, with the help of Dr. and Mrs. Trevor Jones (president and board member of UPF-Peru) as well as our secretary general, Mr. Jaime Fernandez, visits are scheduled.
The programs consist of sharing some food and drink—the traditional chocolatada and paneton (chocolate drink and fruit cake). This is followed by entertainment from clowns, dancers and Santa Claus: all with audience participation. The party ends with the distribution of presents for the children and recycled clothing for the parents.
The following is one example. On December 23, at the Resurrected Christ Parish of Villa Los Rosales in Villa María del Triunfo, 500 children were given toys and drank their chocolate, and 300 mothers received donations of clothing and food. This activity was organized by the Ambassador for Peace Rev. Aparicio Fuentes Guizado, who gave a Christmas message. Similar meetings took place in other districts.
Our friends in the radio station that gives UPF a one-hour broadcast every week were also involved in this endeavor, and our final broadcast of the year became a party with songs from a children's group and cakes from our culinary Ambassadors for Peace.