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.
