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Ministry helps families adapt to changing family dynamics in Peru

The celebration of Christmas in Peru began late last night and goes on through today with much fanfare, reports MNN.

In some areas, Christmas celebrations with colorful fiestas take place, complete with costumes and music. Nativity scenes are common, and in some areas markets are held which draw many people to the festivities.

Called "La Noche Buena" or the good night, many families cook a turkey or chicken and exchange gifts. Giannina Posner with Kids Alive International says in one mountainous region where they're working, those family gatherings are difficult.

In many cases, the men in the families have gone to the cities to find work. Often, they don't return. Combined with the effect of poverty, the celebration of the birth of Christ can be especially heartbreaking.

Kids Alive has been working with these at-risk families to help them support themselves. In this case, Posner says, "For Christmas, they get together, and they cook together and they sell their meals.So, there's a lot of things that we are teaching them. There's so much to do yet. It's a very hard situation. We bring hope, but we also have to teach them how they can live right now in their circumstance."

Aside from launching a program to keep families together, they've also launched job skills training programs and schools.

Posner says with each opportunity comes an open door for the Gospel. "Becoming a sponsor is such a wonderful thing. You become part of this child's life. You can also donate to the general funds so we can keep running the children's schools and the women's programs."

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TAGS: Peru celebration of Christmas family dynamics Kids Alive International poverty

[12/27/2009]

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