INFOCIMA Nº 45 – SEPTEMBER 2024

The Smile of the Month:

Abraham Luciano Lázaro

Hello, my name is Abraham Luciano, and I am 16 years-old. I came to CIMA on September 8, 2023 because of my bad behavior: I was rebellious, aggressive, and spent a lot of time on the streets because I didn’t get along with my parents. Since my arrival at CIMA, I’ve experienced a significant change in my life. Here, they’ve helped me change my attitude and stop being idle. I’ve learned to work hard to achieve my goals and appreciate the efforts adults make to support me. Through the workshops I’ve participated in, I’ve gained new skills and a renewed sense of responsibility. These workshops have taught me the value of hard work and dedication. Moreover, I’m happy to be at CIMA where I feel part of a family and motivated to move forward, no matter how difficult it may be. Thank you, CIMA, for welcoming me with open arms and giving me the opportunity of becoming a better person.

Testimony of Fran Roberto Natero – Ex-CIMA Resident

When I was 8 years old, my mom would leave me home alone while she was selling goods at the market. I started hanging out with other kids in the neighborhood: what started as a game eventually led me down the wrong path when I started inhaling glue. My mom asked me to react but I didn’t listen and stopped going to school. I started hanging out with older people who treated me badly and eventually pushed me away. I was afraid to go back home because I feared my mom would hit me. One night, while I was in Mendocita, a dangerous neighborhood of Lima, a woman asked me where I slept. I told her I slept in a hole behind my house. She called the police, and they took me to a youth detention center, where I stayed for three months. Then, they transferred me to another center where the older kids mistreated me. A man interviewed me and I was moved to another place where I stayed for two months. Finally, they offered to take me to a home, and I went to Aldea Perú for two days to see if I could adjust. I didn’t want to stay, so they took me to CIMA. I stayed at CIMA for a year and a half and ran away looking for my mom. I found out she left for Chincha (a city 200 kms south of Lima) and again, spent half a year on the streets using drugs. Eventually, I wanted to change my life and returned to CIMA. My time at CIMA helped me improve my behavior. I used to be very aggressive and insult others. At CIMA, I realized that using drugs was affecting me in many ways. Now I feel happy and calm. Today, I work as an administrator for a company, and am very grateful to everyone who supported me: Father Jean-Louis, the staff at CIMA, and all the people who support the home.

Testimony of Aurelie Plumard – Volunteer from France

We are a group of nine volunteers who came to CIMA for a four-week humanitarian project. We are students at NEOMA Business School. We accompany the boys at CIMA in the various workshops that the home has to offer. Each of us committed to this adventure to help children in need and share unique moments with them, becoming part of the CIMA family. Throughout the day, we take turns contributing in activities such as ceramics, music, painting, hydroponics, and farm work. In the fields, we work with Professor Sebastián and the boys to grow vegetables such as corn, eggplant, Swiss chard, cabbage, and lettuce to feed the CIMA community. The farm also houses several animals, including rabbits, cows, pigs, and guinea pigs, which we feed and care for every day. Many children at the home are passionate about music, and others have a great curiosity and desire to learn. One of the volunteers offered her help to teach piano, guitar, and singing, which has been a real treat for everyone. This experience has been deeply enriching, not only for the children at CIMA but also for us, the volunteers. Through our joint work, we have formed meaningful bonds and learned the value of dedication and community service. We feel honored to be part of this wonderful initiative and thank CIMA for the opportunity to contribute to its mission.

Dental Care for Children and Adolescents

At CIMA, we constantly strive to provide our children with a safe and healthy environment. As part of this commitment, each month, our kids receive dental care thanks to the generous collaboration of Dr. Juan Carlos Cerna. Dr. Cerna is a dedicated professional with a generous heart. He offers his services so that our young people maintain good oral health. The doctor understands the importance of a healthy smile and its positive impact on the self-esteem and well-being of our children. Dr. Cerna performs dental check-ups, preventive treatments, and fillings. Additionally, the doctor offers education on oral hygiene. Access to this type of specialized medical care is essential and people usually don’t have access to dental services because of their cost. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Cerna for his dedication and generosity.

Birthdays of the Month:

Birthdays of the Month Here is the list of people whose birthday was in September:

Minors: Kelet Quintana Dilan España Josué Valles José Linares Staff: Dina Manani Mauro Chocce Happy Birthday!

Welcome to the CIMA Family

We introduce the children who arrived at CIMA during this month: Adrian Hinojosa

News:

We enjoyed the visit of the Rotaract group, who brought fun and joy to our boys with interactive games and activities. It was a day that fostered teamwork and unity, leaving unforgettable moments for everyone.

Students from Newton school visited us to share a meaningful morning with our boys at CIMA. They participated in various classes, offering support and building important bonds. Thanks to the Newton school for its commitment to our youth!

Thanks to the Oberle Foundation, our staff started a conscious breathing workshop with Master José Carlos Ramírez. For everyone in our team, this practice improves individual health and well-being and offers valuable tools to manage stress and promote emotional balance.

Spring Event 2024 at CIMA Spring Day was filled with activities such as soccer and volleyball tournaments, food sales, second-hand items, and more. We thank all the attendees and collaborators for making this event a success, full of solidarity and joy.