Two weeks ago, after a 10-month long preparation, five lay missionaries left Malta to go to Peru to work for a year with the Fathers of the Missionary Society of St Paul (MSSP). After arriving in Lima, the capital city of Peru they spent a few days in the MSSP Formation House.
Then they boarded the last plane to go to Arequipa, which is the second largest city in Peru. In Arequipa they will be working primarily in two of the poor parishes, which are run by the MSSP fathers.
Mark Cassar, Monique Mallia, Alexia Pisani, Mark Psaila and Sarah Spiteri Staines will be staying in the parish of Acequia Alta, run by Fr Frank Cortis, in a complex called Aldea Sagrada Familia. Here, three of the lay missionaries will be working and assisting in the care of around 60 children residing in the orphanage, which is part of the complex.
Besides the orphanage, many other children attend a day centre and a small special school for children with disability. Besides looking after the children, the lay missionaries will also be teaching basic English, computer and will help out in the running of the complex.
The other two lay missionaries will be working in the parish of Enace which is run by Fr Alex Busuttil. They will be working in a medical clinic, assisting in public kitchens, organising art courses and mothers’ clubs, visiting families, the elderly and people with disabilities and assisting in other projects as necessary.
Presently, there are three other lay missionaries who are also working in the same parishes. Maris Camilleri has been in Peru since February 2003 and is working in the clinic in Enace.
Mark and Anita Zerafa will be soon returning to Malta after a year working with the children in the Aldea in Acequia Alta.
Centru Animazzjoni Missjunarja, known also as CAM, assists in the preparation of people who are interested in working as lay missionaries in Peru for a year. For further information, please contact Centru Animazzjoni Missjunarja on 2144-6435, send an email to [email protected] or visit our website at www.cam.com.mt