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Leadership Course

Empowering a Community of Leaders

“I have unlocked the person
inside of me!”

understanding of their own personal
growth. It was inspiring to see the level
of confidence as they shared highlights
of their learnings and goals for the
future.

The cohorts are also involved in the
Mejor Casa Mejor Vida program. They
saw a need to support families moving
These words were spoken by one of While living in dire conditions these into the new homes through their
the 30 participants in our yearlong women are participating in classes presence and to accompany the ACAF
leadership course Escuela de Líderes highlighting specific skills and training staff and mission visitors as families
Comunitarios, Mente Empoderadas in on how they can own their decisions adapt to their new home. The isolation
Upper Cambio Puente. Better than any and directly help others. that comes from extreme poverty is at
picture, her words capture what we are times debilitating and the physical space
trying to accomplish together with the Throughout the year we have seen of a new home does not mean that the
people we are accompanying along the confidence soar and replace the isolation is over. Their participation in
journey of transformation! The course helplessness that often accompanies the program came about from their
is designed to help people understand severe poverty. Whether it is the own wishes to support others and has
their strengths, tap their potential and public speaking workshops they have turned the program from a singular
tackle the challenges in their community. experienced, the concept of living in family receiving a new home, to active
alignment with one’s personal values,
The classes themselves were led by receiving digital skills training, or community building one family at a
ACAF’s social workers and included designing and participating in service time!
guest speakers from other areas of projects for the benefit of their own Seeing the people in Upper Cambio
ACAF, ACAF board members, leaders community, the leadership class Puente “showing-up” for one another is a
from the Chimbote community, Friends participants have thrived. powerful indicator of people feeling safe,
of Chimbote employees, and an oratory secure and confident to look outward to
specialist. The diverse range of subjects When Bishop Folda visited the group, the community and beyond the basic
were tied together with the strand of their enthusiasm, energy and belief in survival mode where most were a few
leadership, specifically the important each other was clearly evident. The years ago. Through reflection, overt skill
role of community leaders in sustainable speakers from the class stood with instruction, community building of the
community development. confidence and grace as they spoke to leadership course and their new found
Bishop Folda about the significance of
FoC and ACAF believe deeply that each the program, the gratitude they had for sense of internal capacity, participants
and every person is created in the his visit, and the role of love and faith are asking, “What can we do?” rather
image and likeness of God. By working in their journey! He left the encounter than, “What do we need done for us?”.
together we can unlock each person’s deeply moved by their presentation
potential so that they may flourish. skills, commitment to faith and their

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