Bolivia and Peru

Collaboration in Mission: Joining Hands Against Hunger

By Sherron George

One of the most exciting and effective examples of multilateral and multifaceted collaboration between Christians in the North and in the South which models mutuality and solidarity in mission is the Joining Hands Against Hunger (JHAH) initiative of the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP). The history of the PHP is in itself an example of collaboration between the two streams which combined their hunger ministries in a joint-program even before reunion in 1983. In 2000 the PHP launched a new bold initiative called Joining Hands Against Hunger (JHAH) which seeks to restore wholeness in God´s creation by building bridges between PC(USA) congregations and presbyteries and networks of overseas churches, grassroots community groups and non-government organizations (NGOs) in the fight against the root causes of hunger and the search for alternative economic activities which promote human dignity and self-sufficiency.  There are now nine country networks with partners in 10 PC(USA) presbyteries.  As South America Liaison (whose job is all about connections and collaboration) for World Mission, I would like to share the beauty of the two JHAH networks in South America.

The name which the Bolivia network chose demonstrates the positive approach of Latin Americans and the value they place on life. It is called UMAVIDA (Uniendo Manos por la Vida) which in English is “Joining Hands for Life.” Mission co-workers Bob and Julie Dunsmore are the companionship facilitators (whose job is all about connections and collaboration). UMAVIDA has nine member organizations and others seeking membership, four of which are national churches and six secular grassroots organizations or NGOs. One of the member churches and leaders is the Independent Presbyterian Church in Bolivia, a PC(USA) partner church. The PC(USA) presbyteries of San Francisco and Newark, soon to be joined by the Cascades Presbytery, partner with the Bolivian network and have learned much about the realities of Bolivia. There have been many mutual visits. Three issues which UMAVIDA deal with are environment, North-South relations and democracy and citizenship.  Their goal is reciprocal solidarity between social movements (South-North, North-South and South-South). PC(USA) churches have presented overtures to the General Assembly on fair trade agreements, have prayed and lobbied for clean drinking water in Bolivia and have supported joint strategies with indigenous artisans.

Joining Hands Against Hunger-Peru (JHAH-Peru) promotes democratic participatory processes in search of holistic and sustainable human development and the empowerment of civil society to improve the quality of life of all in Peru.  Hunter and Ruth Farrell served as companionship facilitators while they were mission co-workers in Peru. Of the 20 Peruvian members in the network, four are churches, two are community-based groups and nine are NGOs. The participation of the Roman Catholic Church alongside Protestants has been a lovely example of mission done in unity. The Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy is the PC(USA) partner with the network. JHAH-Peru addresses the issues of economic development with focus on fair and just trade agreements and opportunities for Peruvian artisans to market their goods in the United States, human rights and environmental justice. The focus of the latter has been against lead pollution in the city of La Oroya, Peru, where the lead smelters of the Doe Run Company have caused alarming indexes of lead poisoning in 97.2 percent of the children. The national and international exposure has led to government bills and new company controls.

Learn more about Presbyterian involvement in Bolivia.