Where
Lima – Capital of Peru with a population of about 8.5m and more specifically the shanty towns on the outskirts, the area known as ‘Cono Norte’ and the women’s prison a little way out of the city.

What
Hope and Song to Freedom – the name is a translation of the Spanish ‘Esperanza y Canto a la Libertad’ and is a ladies’ fellowship group in a prison. Many of the ladies who meet there have been there for many years, on false charges of terrorism, dating back to the dark days of Fujimori’s regime. They have suffered human rights abuses and now they are serving lengthy sentences for crimes they didn’t commit.

Initially a group of prison women met together to share fellowship and carry out evangelism; it has now developed to become a project which seeks to support these women, their families outside the prison and help those who are released to reintegrate into society.

Who
Miriam Breña Torres is the project leader of this work in Peru.  Miriam was herself in prison from 1998-2001 and well understands the needs of these women.  Since her release, she has consistently gone back to the prison to offer regular support to the fellowship group.  She meets also with the ladies who have been released in recent years and helps them to sort out their release papers, get reacquainted with their families and get used to life on the outside.

The three main aims of HSF are:

• Support the ladies whilst they are in prison both spirtually and practically
• Provide a secure temporary accomodation facility for released women enabling them to sort out documents, get reacquainted with their families and generally readjust to life outside prison (even crossing the road or using more modern cooking equipment may be hazardous for them.)
• Reaching out to the children of these women, and many others in the poorer areas of Lima.  We aim to help them in practical ways whilst sharing the Gospel with them.

HSF ministers to women in prison, many of whom are there on false charges of terrorism, from the time of Fujimori’s regime in the 1980s and 1990s.  In recent years, some of the women have been released and HSF continues to meet with them regularly to encourage them and help in practical ways.  Miriam (in the middle) arranges get-togethers as often as possible.

In the UK
Elizabeth Lake coordinates the work of HSF in the UK. As a Spanish speaker, she is the point of contact between Miriam and the ladies in Peru and the supporters over here.

Thanks to the partnership with people in the UK, Miriam is able to take letters, cards and presents to the women from the fellowship group and their children.  It is great to see a smile on their faces and they know that people far away are praying for them.  For those in prison, even a simple gift of a toothbrush or some soap is always gratefully received – these items we take for granted are so difficult to obtain when in prison.

What can you do?

• Become a ‘madrina’ (godmother) – a prayer partner who is paired with a lady in prison, to offer her prayer support and encouragement as well as practical support where possible.

• Give financially either regularly or as a one-off  for specific projects. We hope one day to have a half way house for those leaving prison. We also need funds to be able to pay for the release papers (approx £150 per person) or other essential practical needs that these ladies may have on their release from prison. To give financially on line or with a cheque through the post go here.

• Purchase a practical needs pack containing essential items for these women whilst in prison.