Foreign Missions: Peru

The Presbyterian Hunger Program(PHP) addresses International Hunger Concerns. Joining Hands(JH) is their initiative that mobilizes people in focused campaigns to tackle systemic causes of hunger both overseas and in the United States. Three issue table groups were recently formed: food and land, trade justice or resource extraction, and climate. We invite you all to join our global efforts to fight injustices that create and maintain systems of poverty. The Food and Land Joining Hands partners working on Food and Land Issues are seeing dramatic shifts in farming and agriculture from the privatization of seeds to massive land. The Trade Justice purports that current trade agreements are not transparent and provide more power to corporations than to sovereign nations. The climate table addresses impact of climate change on environmental degradation and people.

The goals of the JH issue tables are to educate ourselves on global issues, connect with people impacted by these issues, and network to address these issues and take action. Each table will engage in monthly activities ranging from calls, webinars, conversations about books or documentaries related to our work, etc.

The next Joining Hand’s Resource Extractives and Climate/Environment call is on Wednesday, April 13, 2:00 PM. The topic is “MINING IN PERU AND CONNECTIONS WITH MISSOURI” with the following agenda:

The Rev. Jed Koball will present the perspective from Peru. He is the Mission Co-Worker and Companionship Facilitator for the Joining Hands Peru Partnership. He will provide the Mining Policies and Impact of Mining in La Oroya and other places.

Jed Koball speaking at St. Mark Presbyterian

Panelists provide connections between Missouri and Peru:

Mrs. Leslie Warden: former resident of Herculaneum, MO was involved in the lawsuit vs. EPA regarding changing ambient air standards.

Dr. Lisa Martino Taylor: Assoc. Professor of Sociology, Meramac Community College will demonstrate the connection between the Herculaneum advocacy and La Oriya.

Dr. Fernando Serrano: Professor at St. Louis University School of Public Health. He performed the first independent health study in La Oroya which demonstrated the human health contamination from mining. 

Dr. Clarice Hutchens: Pfizer; will explore the possibilities of bio-remediating contaminated soil in La Oroya so crops and livestock may flourish once again.

Please contact Clarice, if you can join us. We hope you will bring your presence, knowledge, and wisdom to the table! Save the Dates:

May 28—Mark Hare, Mission Co-worker in Haiti will present at Saturday evening worship followed by a personal presentation and potluck. Mark works with Jenny in areas of health, agriculture, and reforestation.

July 9-17th--Mission Delegation to Nicaragua