Scripture Union Peru has centres in Lima, Iquitos and camps in Kawai, Kimo and Puerto Alegria. Lima, the capital, is the destination for an estimated 1,000 teenage immigrants every day.
The Scripture Union camp sites are each in beautiful locations. Kawai is situated on the Pacific Ocean, Kimo on the eastern jungle slopes of the Andes and Puerto Alegria on the Itaya River.
Scripture Union Peru work on a broad interdenominational basis, tackling the problems which churches are not getting involved in, and moving in areas where an interdenominational approach is the best strategy.
They run several programmes: Bible uses, Schools, the Deaf, Street Children and Orphans, Camping and Medical.
Our Bible use programme demonstrates the value of the Church and para-church Movements: Wycliffe translates the Bible, the Bible Society prints it, the Gideons distribute it, and Scripture Union shows people how to use it. They produce Bible reading aids, hold Bible Use Seminars around the country, and see to it that regular, systematic Bible reading permeates all their ministry.
Schools work is a 'must’ in reaching young people with God’s Word; producing materials, holding teacher seminars and forming Christian Witness Groups in schools. This task has not been easy, due to the ingrained and historic opposition to Bible reading in this country. After years of opposition the doors are opening as never before and Scripture Union projects are now reaching almost 30,000 children on a weekly basis with teaching on Christian values.
The deaf have traditionally been viewed as God’s punishment on the family. Hence they are a source of embarrassment and guilt. They are 'kept away’ out of sight as much as possible. They are the 'dirty linen’ that no family wishes to hang out in public. Part of SU’s Programme is to educate people and to assist families in bringing out their deaf children. This includes a 24 hour a day interpreter assistance programme, whereby hospitals, police stations or courts can phone to have a sign language expert attend to assist a deaf person. In the past, deaf people have been tried and sentenced without knowing what was going on! Scripture Union also give sign language classes and assist children in government high schools by placing a hearing person beside them during the entire school year. Twice a week they have 'open house’ and this is where they discover that there are many others with the same problem. Here they are encouraged to learn how to read Scripture and apply it to their own lives.
Street boys are not only looked down on, but despised by the vast majority of people the cities. SU has been working with these boys for over a decade now. One of the things these boys know nothing about is trust. They have been rejected by their own mothers; they fear adults, hate the police and are constantly on the run, never sticking around long enough for 'injustice’ to catch up with them. They have taught each other to lie, deceive, steal and outwit 'big people’, who they see as their natural enemies.
The work with these children started simply by meeting on the streets, mostly at night when they were on the move, and building relationships with them. Scripture Union now has several centres to provide a roof over their heads and giving them an education.
Camping
Thousands of children and young people have come to the various campsites over the years. Street boys, the deaf, orphans, school children from both government and private schools have heard the Good News about Jesus, and many have responded. The objective is to encourage all new Christians to take their place in local churches where they will be nurtured and helped to grow.
Is this placement for you?
Volunteers need to be fluent in Spanish and confident individuals who are willing to use their initiative as they serve Christ through Scripture Union. Volunteers would be involved in some way in all of the above programmes, focusing especially on camps, schools and the street children programme.
Duration and Cost
Scripture Union Peru are flexible on what time of year they receive volunteers; however their greatest need for assistance is in the months of June, July and August. We’ve had people going out for 6 months up to a year as part of their degree programme.
As a volunteer you need to arrange your own support, which includes airfare, accommodation, food and internal travel.
Minimum Age: 18
Cost: £3,500
Start Date: Flexible: Greatest need in June, July and August
Duration: Six months to a year