Paz y Esperanza
works to protect women and childrenfrom violence in Peru, a country with one of thehighest rates of violence against women in the worldaccording to the United Nations. They help womenand children who have been victimized by sexual,domestic and other violence seek justice; and, theyaccompany them through the long healing process.These women and girls are mothers and futuremothers. Many have suffered long years of abuse bytheir husbands. Others have been raped by arelative, a teacher, a neighbor, a pastor or astranger. Some are mothers as a result of rape. Allfind hope through the services provided by Paz yEsperanza. “Fermina” and “Lida” are two suchmothers.
To celebrate this mother’s day we ask that youconsider making a special donation to provide life-givinglegal, psychological, social and pastoral services tomothers and future mothers like Fermina and Lida.
3400 Park Avenue SouthMinneapolis • MN • 55407(612) 819-7162www.peaceandhopeinternational.org
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 30: 17
“A generous person will prosper; the person who refreshes others will also be refreshed.”“A generous person will prosper; the person who refreshes others will also be refreshed.”“A generous person will prosper; the person who refreshes others will also be refreshed.”
Psalm 11:25Psalm 11:25Psalm 11:25
May 10, 2009, Volume 1, Issue 4
I am
Fermina
. I am 22 years old. I am marriedand the mother of threechildren. But my hus-band abandoned me when he found out that Ihad been sexually as-saulted by a close relativeof his. I was 5 monthspregnant but he didn’tcare about that and he left, taking our two chil-dren. Now that I have given birth my husbanddoesn’t take responsibility for me or my baby.I feel very deceived. Sometimes I don’t haveenough to eat. I have to work in the fields eventhough I have a small baby. I speak Quechua. Ispeak very little Spanish. I live two hours fromHuánuco.I am
Lida
and thisis my son. He isthe product of asexual assault. I was raped by aneighbor wholives on the farm.My son has poorhealth. He has an infection in his eyes and thedoctors tell me that he may go blind. We live with my parents and five siblings in theprovince. I speak Quechua and my parents arefarmers. I never went to school so I don’t know how to read or write. I suffer from paralysis in my lower limbs and I can’t walk on my own.The prosecutor is asking for 8 years of prisontime for the man who raped me.
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