INFOCIMA Nº 51 – MARCH 2025

The Smile of the Month:

Ronal Mesa’s Testimonial

Hello, I’m Ronal and am a 15 years old living at CIMA. I feel very happy to be here, where I learned many things in the workshops they offer us. I work in every workshop like carpentry, technical initiation, farming, painting on fabric, ceramics, music and fish farming. I like them all a lot, especially the farm because there are animals and I enjoy feeding and caring for them. In the technical introductory workshop, I learned how to change tubes and weld points, which I find very interesting. I also like fish farming because we work with fish; I love watching and feeding them. Another of my great learnings at CIMA is music. I have learned to play the guitar and like to practice. I am grateful because of the welcome received, both by the tutors and my classmates. Every day I keep learning new things that help me improve.

Anthony’s Testimonial – ExCIMA

My name is Anthony and I come from the city of Cañete. Today I came back to CIMA after a long time, because this place was and still is like my second home. I am very grateful to Father Jean-Louis who welcomed me when I had nowhere else to go. Before I got here, I was on the wrong track: I used drugs, slept on the streets and stole food. I was embarrassed to go home and confront my mother and uncles because they had given up on me. That’s when I made the decision to come to CIMA. Here I spent a time reflecting and rebuilding my life. When I left CIMA, I had to face the world alone again, but this time with a different mindset. I overcame the anguish and pain of my past, and with God’s help, I was able to move forward. Today I am a military man and serve in the Armed Forces, currently stationed in the VRAEM region of Peru. It is a difficult environment, where we face many dangers, but I know that my job is to protect my country. Throughout this process, I have understood that God is always with us and guides us if we want to change. For those looking for a new opportunity, my advice is to get close to God, trust His word and ask Him for strength. In the Bible, in St. John 5:15, says that God is love, and just as He forgives us, we must also forgive ourselves and seek the right path. Today, thanks to God and the opportunities that CIMA gave me, I am a professional person. In addition to my military career, I am studying a career to become a heavy machinery operator, and already have my driver’s license. In a few years, I will have my own house, and when I start my family, I will be able to share my story with my children and teach them the values of effort and self-improvement. I want to thank Father Jean-Louis and CIMA from the bottom of my heart, because they gave me a roof, food, shelter and, above all, support when I needed it most. I learned that helping others always brings blessings. If you fight for your future and trust in God, He will guide you. Do not be dragged down by bad friendships or past mistakes. Respect and value your parents, for they gave you life. And if you had family problems, do not hesitate to ask for forgiveness and start again. Today, I can proudly say that my life changed and that everything is thanks to God and the people who helped at the right time. Have a good day and God bless you!

Testimonial of Isabelle Noel – Volunteer from France

My name is Isabelle, I live in France, near the borders with Belgium and Luxembourg; I will soon be 62 years old. It is not the usual age when people chose to volunteer at CIMA, but with five retired friends, we created a project focused on play. I was a kindergarten teacher and I have always believed that play is a wonderful tool. Our project? Discover, share, learn and create games together. We arrived at CIMA with suitcases full of board games and all the necessary material to create games with painted and varnished stones. We received an extraordinary welcome from the start. What we experienced in these 12 days exceeded all my expectations: intense moments of exchange and complicity with the children and the adults who accompany them. Despite the language barrier, we managed to share our board games and paint many stones together to create new games that will remain in CIMA. I discovered a place where harmony is breathed, where the words love, fraternity and kindness take on all their meaning. This experience has been a great joy. Thank you all!

Start of school classes at CIMA

March is a special month throughout Peru, as it marks the beginning of a new school year. At CIMA, this moment represents another step in the education and training of our children. On Monday, March 10, secondary school students officially began their classes in the classrooms of CIMA. Thanks to the agreement with the Albert Schweitzer School (IPAS), our students receive quality education without traveling outside the premises of the home. The IPAS school sends three specialized teachers who collaborate with the CIMA teachers and teach different subjects, accompanying their learning process. This educational model allows children to study in a safe space adapted to their needs, while promoting personalized teaching and values that reinforce their integral development. For children at the primary level, the start of classes was March 17, in sync with the official calendar of state schools. The children attend Colegio La Libertad in Cieneguilla, where they have the opportunity to integrate with other students in the community, and strengthen their academic and social skills. This link with the education system contributes to their integration into society and the construction of their autonomy. We wish all our students a year full of learning and achievements!

Birthday of the month

Minors: Sneider Aguilar Jesús Abate Kris Sinchi Thiago Inocente Collaborators: Julia Huillca Edi Fonseca Happy birthday!

Welcome to the CIMA Family:

We present the children who have arrived at CIMA in the course of this month. Sebastián Díaz Jhonatan de la Cruz Gustavo Orosco

News:

Our deepest condolences to the Ducharme family, for the recent passing of René, an exceptional human being. René has been an unconditional friend, a generous heart and a fundamental pillar in the work of CIMA. His support and love for our cause has left an indelible mark in the lives of many ex-CIMA young men. Rest in peace, dear René. You will always be with us. We received the visit of Susanna Salvador, Pablo Flores and Darío Gastelo, who shared a pleasant moment with the children of CIMA. Our Talent Afternoon was held in commemoration of Women’s Day, where the boys expressed their creativity and talent. March 10 – Start of secondary school classes at CIMA. A new year of learning begins! March 17 – Start of primary school at La Libertad school. Make it a great school year for everyone! We received the visit of friends Clemens Oberle and Dr. Sonia Salas, from the Wilhelm Oberle Foundation, with whom we shared pleasant moments. We are very grateful for the foundation’s contribution, which allows us to carry out various projects. We thank the Lions Club of La Molina Norte for the donation of school supplies for our children. On Monday 24, a training in cold technical skills was held by Friopacking. On Saturday the 29th, we took a walk with GYC (Global Yaku Consultores) along the river in commemoration of World Water Day, promoting environmental awareness. On Monday 31, chef Diego Muñoz with his team, offered training in food handling and preservation. reinforcing important knowledge for healthy eating at CIMA. Thanks to chef Diego and our friend Darío Gastelo who made these workshops possible.