INFOCIMA Nº 52 – APRIL 2025

The Smile of the Month:

Edward Santiago

Hi, my name is Edward. Before arriving at CIMA, I had behavioral problems. I liked to wonder the street and I didn’t obey my mom. At first, when I arrived at CIMA, I kept on copying the bad behavior of some colleagues, thinking it was normal.
But over time, and thanks to the support of the tutor Milagros and mother Vanessa, I learned how I should behave and how to speak with respect. They made me see that I can have friends, but that I don’t have to follow the bad things that others do.
Now I study with more responsibility so that my mom feels proud of me. I like workshops, especially farm and fabric painting. I thank Father Jean-Louis for welcoming me at CIMA, my tutors for teaching me good things, and Professor Edy for helping me with my homework. I’m learning to be a better person.

Testimony of Darín Placios – ExCIMA

My name is Darín and I am exCIMA. Before I got to CIMA, I walked a long and dark road, like many young people who don’t have proper guidance or parents present. My father decided to leave us, leaving my mother alone with two children. I was the youngest, and although she gave everything for us, it was very difficult. She worked outside all day and didn’t have time to be with me the way I needed her. It led me to spend a lot of time on the street, where I hung out with older people with bad influence.
At 14, I was hanging out with boys who used drugs, drank alcohol and stole. I had a lot of resentment and hatred for not having a father present like other boys who did receive affection and attention. I repeated the year in third grade and my mom couldn’t take it anymore. She had lost control over me, and it caused her great pain. Seeing her cry day after day because of my behavior made me want to change.
One day I spoke with her and suggested a rehabilitation center. We went to meet a psychologist who recommended three places, one of them was CIMA. The next day we went to visit them, and from the first moment, I liked CIMA. I was very interested in the workshops, which include: technical initiation, agriculture, beekeeping, fabric painting, computers, music and hydroponics. In addition, they offered me the opportunity to study. Without a doubt, it was the best decision I ever made.
I spent a year and a half at CIMA, where I learned many things, especially that life is not always easy; with will and support, anything is possible. I learned welding and that knowledge served me because when I left CIMA, I did it for two years.
Now I am a fiber optic technician; have been working for four years and doing very well. I am also a professional chauffeur. I always remember with gratitude those who reached out to me when I needed it most. Every year I return to CIMA with other exCIMA to visit the boys and remember that we all deserve a second chance.

Testimonial of Kevin Grimes – volunteer

March 2025 marks the ninth anniversary of my first trip to Hogar CIMA in 2016. I keep coming back because I am constantly amazed and moved by the extraordinary hearts, minds, and characters of the kids who live here.
Every year I make two or three visits to CIMA. I have seen first-hand how CIMA’s program really transforms the lives of young people who come from traumatic contexts, with addictions or other self-destructive influences. CIMA teaches life-changing realities and changes the children to behave like the Christ. CIMA also helps build a personal vision and understand the purpose of God in our lives.
I am a foster parent welcoming children with therapeutic challenges, and in the US, I have welcomed and worked with 40 teens with huge personal challenges. In March 2025, CIMA’s program remains as good — or even better — as any other program I’ve witnessed in Peru.
There are endless ways to collaborate with CIMA. The main message I want to share with you is this one: any way you get involved with CIMA it will change the lives of precious children. One of the greatest privileges of my life is to be able to participate in this beautiful mission, even if only marginally.

Wooden tops: first step in the carpentry workshop

In the CIMA carpentry workshop, the boys begin their training by building a spinning top. This introductory activity allows them to learn the basic tools of the trade, work with different types of woods and learn in a practical and fun way. The process starts with choosing the right wood. Then, the boys use the woodworking lathe to give the spinning top its characteristic shape, working with precision and concentration. Subsequently, they sand, refine the details, place the metal tip and prepare the string.
In addition to developing technical skills, this experience strengthens patience, creativity and the value of personal effort. In the end, each one takes the spinning top that he made, that can be used to play and share with teammates.

Welcome to the CIMA Family:

These are the children who arrived at CIMA in the course of this month:

Fran Suarez
Omar Rodas
Gonzalo Huerta
Edson Huerta

News:

Thanks to the management of the OLI Foundation, CIMA has become a direct beneficiary of the insurance sales campaign of the Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP) through its ATMs. This initiative allows BCP customers to support our work while purchasing insurance. The funds raised contribute directly to the sustenance and well-being of the children of CIMA.

Our young people participated in the Training for Life and Work program, promoted by the Modine Manufacturing Company, coordinated by Susanna Salvador. The company operates in Lima in the following companies:

* Friopacking, with the presence of Pablo Flores and chef Diego Muñoz and his kitchen team;
* Inizia Consultores, with the presence of Darío Gastelo, Ricardo Guglielmino and Anita Gumbas.

We thank the Lions Club of La Molina Norte for donating school supplies and books.

We thank the Lions Club of San Martín de Porras for donating school supplies and clothing.

We received the pleasant visit of Sylvia Morin who was a volunteer for many years. Unfortunately, her mother passed away and Sylvia had to return to France, shortening her stay at CIMA. We offer her our deepest condolences.

We thank Camille Paolino from France, who volunteered this month. Camille supported various activities, and we hope you can come back soon!

For Easter, CIMA’s children went on leave in two groups, and those who were present at CIMA participated in the ceremonies of Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Student volunteers from the Universidad del Pacífico assisted our children in physics and mathematics, reinforcing their knowledge and providing them with new tools to advance in their studies.

With great enthusiasm, an internal competition in science and technology was held. Congratulations to our winners!

1st place: Christian Villacrisis
2nd place: Josué Valles
3rd place: Ronald Meza
4th place: Caleb Quintana

Their effort and creativity inspire the other children!

We commemorate World Earth Day, an official date established to promote care for the environment. At CIMA, we show the importance of protecting our planet and work to raise awareness in each of our spaces.

On April 27, the solidarity fair was successfully held. It was a day full of joy, where products made by the children in the workshops were offered, as well as the sale of food and items for the home and office.

On April 30, we celebrated Labor Day at CIMA. We recognize and thank those who are committed with their vocation and affection to build a better future for our children every day.
Thank you for your tireless dedication!