Americas: Churches in Chile filling gaps in community

Leadership conference of the Americas visits project sites and witness vibrant work

(LWI) - Last week, the LWF Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and North America (NA) regions met in person at the “Leadership Conference of the Americas” where participants were invited to witness the vibrant work of the local churches.

This included learning about the project work of the churches, including kindergartens, schools, elderly care facilities, theological education, women’s theological formation, advocacy and pastoral care. The delegation visited some initiatives of the churches that aim to fill the social, economic and educational gaps in the community.

The conference, which was hosted jointly by LWF member churches; the Lutheran Church in Chile (ILCH) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (IELCH).

El Sembrador Kindergarten and Community Centre is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile project that aids the Chilean district Peñalolén, providing early childhood education and advocacy to families struggling with inadequate housing and looming “land seizures.” Photo: LWF/A.Gray

The Popular Foundation for Health Education (EPES) is an independent non-profit that promotes community organization and participation concerning health care in Santiago neighborhoods. EPES was established in 1982 in cooperation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile. EPES is supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Photo: LWF/A.Gray

EPSP advocates for policies and public programs that guarantee health as a social right. Photo: LWF/A.Gray

Participants listen to a survivor’s testimony of her torture during the 1973-1990 civil-military dictatorship. Villa Grimaldi was a prison camp used for the interrogation and torture of political prisoners. It has been redeveloped into the Villa Grimaldi (The Park for Peace) Memorial. The project was largely spearheaded by the efforts of former IELCH Bishop Gloria Rojas and former LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge. Photo: LWF/A.Gray

A survivor of the 1973-1990 civil-military dictatorship points to a replica of the site of the camp. Photo: LWF/A.Gray

The Albert Schweitzer School is a Lutheran Church in Chile free subsidized private primary school which serves 247 students, mostly from at-risk neighborhoods. Photo: LWF/E.Albrecht

Nutritionally balanced meals are a part of the mission of The Albert Schweitzer School. Photo: LWF/E.Albrecht

El Redentor Community was founded in 1886 to serve the German colony establishing in Chile. The current building was the initiative of Peter Horn. It is a ministry of the Lutheran Church in Chile. LWF/E.Albrecht

The meeting brought together representatives from 19 churches in the LAC region and from the two churches in the NA region.

LWF/A.Gray

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