Transformation at Father Jack’s Mission

The ultimate goal of the Friends of Chimbote organization is to transform the lives of the poor into independent and self-supporting members of their community. This transformation is made possible through a myriad of support and educational programs, micro-loans for the creation of small businesses, employment opportunities, scholarships, vocational training and mentoring.

Women’s Refuge Center

Friends of Chimbote supports one of just two battered women’s shelters in the city of Chimbote. Here women and their children find a place to live, protection and psychological counseling, empowering them to change their lives and remove themselves from desperate situations.

Prevention Centers

For young people in poverty, it can be hard to maintain a sense of hope for the future. Many young people become hardened by what they’ve seen and experienced; many turn to drugs, crime, gangs and violence as a way to cope with what they see as a hopeless situation. Father Jack’s mission supports prevention centers within its barrios to offer young people a safe place to gather where they can study, play games, watch TV, do art activities and participate in community projects. Self esteem is built and hope is generated for a better future.

Sister Peggy’s Legacy of Education

In lieu of personal gifts, at Sister Peggy Byrne’s golden jubilee in Ireland in 2007, she requested that people donate to an education fund she would use to assist the poorest of the poor students in Chimbote. Since then, Sister Peggy has helped many children, young adults, and even single parents to obtain educations that have empowered them to get jobs, gain self respect, and ultimately provide better lives for themselves and their families. As part of the program, students donate time to parish programs where they learn the power of giving back and service to their fellow community members.

Dollars for Scholars – Leaders for Tomorrow

The Dollars for Scholars – Leaders for Tomorrow program sends young people from the poorest neighborhoods of Chimbote to universities and technical schools. The program, sponsored primarily by Rotary Clubs, commits to funding students for the duration of their education, as long as they meet grade requirements and participate in community service projects.

Micro Lending

Friends of Chimbote supports business development at the mission through a micro-lending program. In the past year, approximately 300 micro-loans–averaging $300–were approved for the poor of Chimbote to help them launch and sustain small businesses within the community. In addition, classes are held providing education about business ownership, financial management, and social and networking skills.

Home Building & Remodeling

Imagine living on land you do not own, a cramped space with dirt floors. There is no running water, sewer or electricity and the walls made of woven reeds (called estera) are so thin that you can see and hear all that is going on at your neighbors.

Thanks to the support of Friends of Chimbote, people’s lives are being changed in the mission barrios by providing them with concrete walls and floors, bathrooms and the legal assistance to obtain a title to property. Working side by side with mission volunteers, men from the mission participate in these construction projects which affords them both an employment opportunity and the ability to help their friends and neighbors obtain better living conditions.

Mission Visitor and Volunteer Program

Hundreds of passionate people from all over the world visit and volunteer at the mission every year. With support from Friends of Chimbote, a life-changing opportunity unfolds. Not only does the mission volunteer impact the lives of the poor of Chimbote, the volunteers’ lives are impacted in return. Founder Father Jack often refers to this as a “reverse mission” effect.

People return home from a mission visit transformed and sharing the story of the pain, suffering, hope and joy that they witnessed thereby inspiring others to visit, and to learn and support the important work of the Friends of Chimbote organization. Learn more about a transformational mission visit.