Page 10 - C:\Users\j_dol\OneDrive\Desktop\FOC MAIN 2\Marketing\Newsletter\FlipBook\Winter 2024\

Listen, Learn, Believe & Serve... ...FoC Fall Board Meeting

The Friends of Chimbote Board spent highlighted
a week in Peru together with the ACAF the need to
team reviewing the work being done join together
and experiencing firsthand the progress with positivity
being made in the communities we and integrity
serve. in an effort to
build a better
The week was designed to give board
members a close look at specific community
programs, meet directly with those for their
served and give the ACAF staff a strong children.
feeling of solidarity for their day-to-day Of all the projects FoC and ACAF are board added shaded seating, additional
work. taking part in, this initiative is a clear playground equipment and fertilized
the thriving trees that were planted a
The week's agenda used the FoC and example of how we can empower year ago on last year's board trip. To
ACAF's seven year strategic plan Listen. people to live life with a sense of celebrate the upgrades, the children
Learn. Believe. Serve. as the anchor for agency. Board members were struck of Upper Cambio and board members
the week. Our plan has renewed the by the presentation skills and level of flew kites together. Seeing the kites in
need to put Listening at the center of self-determination demonstrated by the the air and children and board members
all of our actions. In our desire to make "students". FoC board president Eric joyfully playing in an area that would
a difference, we from North America Krueger, described the event as "the have been considered uninhabitable a
often rush into solutions before we fully very best project" he has witnessed few years ago was truly emotional.
understand the entire context of the on a board trip because of the level of
communities we serve. empowerment it created and how the
potential of the participants has been
unlocked. The space the course takes
place in, the instructors, the curriculum
and the resources used to guide the class
are all possible from the contributions
by the FoC community and ACAF staff.

Perhaps the highlight of the week There was so much more in the week: a
was a listening session with about 25 baptism for seven children, a celebratory
community leaders from Upper Cambio Mass with community leaders, a water
Puente. Scan the QR for details about distribution, a carnival, a market of crafts
the program! The participants, of which created by the women in Upper Cambio,
24 are women, were able to spend but the last success to describe here was
about an hour speaking with the board the Cambio Puente Has Talent program.
and highlighting what they had learned
and how through their training they This program is a partnership created
were able to "unlock" their potential as by ACAF board member Silvia Diestra
human beings. There was not a dry eye and the Chimbote Cultural Center. This
in the room as they spoke about being Another highlight from the week was program has coordinated art and music
empowered and how knowing that they the kite flying and park enhancements classes in our learning center and is based
were people with intrinsic value had in Upper Cambio. In earlier listening on the belief that all children should
changed the calculus of who they could sessions, community members have the opportunity to learn from art,
become. They spoke of the importance described the need for public spaces to music and sports. Accomplished art
of faith, love and solidarity and be safe and available to children. The FoC and music teachers as well as athletic

PAGE 10 friendsofchimbote.org